HSIE

In human society and its environment (HSIE), both subjects of history and geography are mandatory from Kindergarten to Year 10.

Students learn specific historical and geographical concepts and skills in history and geography. They also have an opportunity to learn more about people and the societies and environments in which they live through elective subjects in Years 7 to 10 (Stages 4 to 5).

A large number of individual subjects make up the key learning area of HSIE in which students:

In Year 11 and 12, students can choose from a range of HSIE courses. These include:

Manly Campus has a dynamic human society and its environment (HSIE) faculty staffed by outstanding teachers. In Stage 5 we offer a variety of electives, including commerce, history, historical mysteries. Stage 6 accelerated options currently include business studies and ancient history.

The school enters annual competitions in a number of these subjects that provide students with the opportunity to showcase their academic abilities. These include the Australian business studies and economics competitions, the Australian history competition and the Australian geography competition.

Excursions and incursions form an integral part of HSIE study, offering students the chance to expand their cultural understanding and enhance their studies. A biennial study tour to Europe is also offered to all students.

Stages 4 and 5

Years 7-10 Geography: students develop an understanding of the world around them.

  • In Stage 4 they investigate global environments, how these are changing and what impact they can have to influence the world.
  • In Stage 5 they investigate how Australia is changing, the major issues to be dealt with and the links Australia has in regional and global contexts.

Year 7 History: students study the theory that people moved out of Africa around 60,000 years ago and migrated to other parts of the world, including Australia. They examine the evidence for the emergence and establishment of ancient societies, and the key features of these societies (farming, trade, social classes, religion, rule of law).

Year 8 History: topics range from The Ancient to the Modern World, The Western and Islamic World, The Asia-Pacific World and Expanding Contacts.

Year 9 History: students tackle the issues of Making a Better World and Australians at War.

Year 10 History: students study Rights and Freedoms and the Vietnam War era.

Years 9 and 10 Commerce: students have the opportunity to study a variety of commercial concepts.

  • decision making as consumers
  • management of personal finance
  • understanding of Australian legal and political systems
  • awareness of major employment issues
  • business management strategies.

Year 9 and 10 Elective History: is a 200 hour course for students who wish to pursue study of elective history in Years 9 and 10. The ideal course for those with an interest in history, it covers a wide range of topics that are not studied in mandatory history and teaches skills that will be useful in senior history.

Stage 6

In Stage 6 students may choose to study ancient history, modern history, business studies, economics, legal studies or society and culture for the HSC.

Ancient History provides students with opportunities to investigate past people, groups, events, institutions, societies and historical sites through archaeological and written sources by applying the methods used by historians, archaeologists and other related specialists and scholars. This includes the completion of an historical investigation and studies of specific ancient societies, personalities in their times and issues in an historical period.

Modern History provides students with opportunities to investigate the role of key features, issues, individuals, groups, events and concepts from the eighteenth century to the present using the methods of historical inquiry. This involves the study of case studies, historical investigations and the study of specific nations and personalities along with examples of conflicts.

Extension History further develops students' understanding of how historians work, exploring historiography, the processes of historical inquiry and the nature of historical communication. The focus is on the use of historical investigations to reflect on the nature of history, and how and why approaches and interpretations change over time. This intellectually challenging course enhances the development of critical and reflective thinking skills, and fosters the ability to approach complex tasks flexibly and analytically.

Business Studies encompasses the theoretical and practical aspects of business in contexts which students will encounter throughout their lives. Conceptually, it offers learning from the planning of a small business to the management of operations, marketing, finance and human resources in large businesses. Through the analysis of contemporary business strategies the course also provides rigour and depth and lays an excellent foundation for students either in tertiary study or in future employment.

Economics equips students with the ability to comprehend the background and implications of contemporary economic issues, to discuss appropriate policies to solve economic problems and issues, and to understand what a change in interest rates, share values or the value of the Australian dollar means to individuals and the economy. Moreover, students study about the fluctuations in the global and Australian economies and their likely effects on business and the reasons for changes in employment patterns.

Legal Studies offers excellent preparation for life through a study of the legal system, its principles, structures, institutions and processes. The course fosters respect for cultural diversity. It allows students to question and evaluate legal institutional structures in the domestic and international environments and to undertake a comparative analysis of other political and institutional structures.

Society and Culture is a conceptually based course that promotes students' awareness of the cultural continuities and changes within societies and cultures. It provides them with skills to critically analyse complementary and contrasting viewpoints about people, societies, cultures and environments, and their interactions across time. Society and culture promotes an awareness of the nature of power and authority, gender, technology and facilitates intercultural understanding. This subject draws on cross-disciplinary concepts and social research methodologies from anthropology, communication, cultural studies, media studies, philosophy, psychology, social ecology and sociology.