Country and Culture
This elective looks at some of the key dictators and rulers throughout time that have changed the course of history forever.
At Joseph Banks Secondary College, students explore HASS themes associated with human behaviour and interaction in social, cultural, environmental, economic and political contexts. We strive to develop students’ ability to question their world, apply critical thought, problem solve, communicate effectively, and adapt to an ever-changing world as active and informed global citizens.
Starting in middle school with general HASS content that covers all four subject areas, students are then given the opportunity to personalise their pathways by selecting electives that further develop their understandings while building their skills and knowledge toward senior school topics, such as Politics & Law, Business Management & Enterprise, Modern History and Geography.
Jasmine Aviet
Domain Leader – Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS)
Courses
Year 7 & 8
Year 9
Deadly Diseases
With a strong emphasis on analysing and evaluating evidence as well as the ability to explain different perspectives, this elective examines the causes and effects of deadly diseases throughout history.
Fabulous Finance
In this fun elective, you will learn to develop money management skills such as saving for a rainy day, budgeting, what you need to know about personal tax, researching and buying a car, and why credit matters and using credit wisely.
World War I
In this elective, students will explore the common myths and legends of the ANZACs. They will expand their understanding of the global political influences that dragged Australia into the conflict and examine significant events and people of the war.
Year 10
Business and Economics
This course provides you with a rock-solid foundation in both Business and Economics.
First Nations Geography in a Changing World
Course Information What can the oldest continuous cultures in the world teach us about climate, sustainability, and care for the land? In this course, you will explore Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems, environmental management practices, and responses to climate change. You will analyse cultural burning, seasonal calendars, and
Geography: Environmental Change
In this course, you will examine the management of environmental resources and analyse the use of indicators such as the Happy Planet Index and the Human Development index to determine reasons for the vast differences in wellbeing around the globe.
History: Freedom and Rights
This course explores how huge changes have happened throughout the world that have been started by young people.
History: World War 2
Through the lens of an historian, you will critically examine World War II by using and creating questions for inquiry, based on a range of sources and build on your understandings of the key historical concepts.
Politics and Law
In this course, students will examine what their rights actually are.
Year 11 & 12
Aboriginal and Intercultural Studies (General)
Aboriginal histories and cultures are fundamental to the development of Australian identity and the formation of contemporary Australian society and as such are a focus of this course.
Business Management and Enterprise (ATAR)
The Business Management and Enterprise ATAR course focuses on business planning, marketing and growth, and opportunities provided for business by technology and the global environment.
Business Management and Enterprise (General)
The Business Management and Enterprise General course focuses on establishing and operating a small business in Australia and aims to provide students with an understanding of the knowledge and skills of the processes and procedures required for generating business ideas and turning them into a viable business venture.
Geography (General)
In the Geography General course students learn how to collect information from primary and secondary sources, such as field observation and data collection, mapping, monitoring, remote sensing, case studies and reports.
Modern History (ATAR)
Studying the Modern History ATAR course enables students to become critical thinkers and helps inform their judgements and actions in a rapidly changing world.
Modern History (General)
Studying the Modern History General course exposes students to a variety of historical sources, including government papers, extracts from newspapers, letters, diaries, photographs, cartoons, paintings, graphs and secondary sources, in order to understand the historical narrative including cause and effect, and the forces influencing people and events.