Tod Brennan
Domain Leader – HASS
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.
Courses
Year 7 & 8
Year 9
Deadly Diseases
Course Code: 9HDDDomain: Humanities and Social SciencesTimetable: <timetable>Length of Course: <duration> Course Information Throughout history the biggest executioner of the human race has been deadly disease and this elective is especially relevant at the moment! Whether it was the Black Death in 14th century Europe or present day COVID 19,
Debating
Course Code: 9HDBDomain: Humanities and Social SciencesTimetable: <timetable>Length of Course: <duration> Course Information Debating is a skill that encourages critical thinking, fosters engagement with global issues, and equips you with lifelong skills and the confidence to pursue your potential. With strong links to Politics and Law, this elective will teach
Fabulous Finance
Course Code: 9HFF Domain: Humanities and Social Sciences Timetable: <timetable> Length of Course: <duration> Course Information 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, why
Horrible Histories
Course Code: 9HHH Domain: Humanities and Social Sciences Timetable: <timetable> Length of Course: <duration> Course Information Throughout history, governments and leaders have used their power to influence and rule in horrible ways. This elective looks at some of the key dictators and rulers throughout history that have changed the course
Year 10
Business and Economics 101
Course Code: Domain: Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) Timetable: Length of Course: Trimester Unit Information This course provides you with a rock-solid foundation in both Business and Economics. You will bring economics to life by playing Top Trumps to analyse the economic indicators of different countries in the world and use
Freedom and Rights
Course Code: Domain: Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) Timetable: Length of Course: Trimester Unit Information Did you know there was a time when women could not vote? When people were separated by colour? When groups of Australians were referred to as plants and animals, rather than human beings? This course explores
Geography 101
Course Code: Domain: Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) Timetable: Length of Course: Trimester Unit Information Who wants to stay in the classroom when there’s the whole world to explore? Why is Norway the happiest country in the world? Where does Australia rank in the Happiness listings? In this course, you will
Politics and Law 101
Course Code: Domain: Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) Timetable: Length of Course: Trimester Unit Information Democracy can be a fragile thing. Are your rights under threat? This course looks at the potential threats to our way of life. These can come from organised crime and the way vested interests and money
World War 2
Course Code: Domain: Humanities and Social Sciences Timetable: Length of Course: Trimester Unit Information The social and political vacuum following the Great War left Europe and much of the world ripe for the rise of tyranny. This allowed evil men to commit mass murder at an unprecedented scale. However, every story
Year 11 & 12
Business Management and Enterprise (ATAR)
Course Code: AEBME/ATBME Domain: Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) Timetable: Semester 1 and 2 Length of Course: 2 Years Unit Information The Business Management and Enterprise (ATAR) course gives students the opportunity to understand how vital business is to individuals and society, and how it impacts on many aspects of our lives.
Business Management and Enterprise (General)
Course Code: AEBME/ATBME Domain: Humanities and Social Science (HASS) Timetable: Semester 1 and 2 Length of Course: 2 Years Unit Information The Business Management and Enterprise (General) course gives students the opportunity to understand how vital business is to individuals and society, and how it impacts on many aspects of our lives.
Career and Enterprise (General)
Course Code: GECAE/GTCAE Domain: Humanities and Social Science (HASS) Timetable: Semester 1 and 2 Length of Course: 2 Years Unit Information The Career and Enterprise (General) course engages students in learning about developing their career in a constantly changing digital and globalised world. Careers are now considered to be about work, learning
Geography (General)
Course Code: GEGEO/GTGEO Domain: Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) Timetable: Semester 1 and 2 Length of Course: 2 Years Unit Information The study of geography draws on students’ curiosity about the diversity of the world’s places and their peoples, cultures and environments. It enables them to appreciate the complexity of our world
Modern History (ATAR)
Course Code: AEHIM/ATHIM Domain: Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) Timetable: Semester 1 and 2 Length of Course: 2 Years Unit Information The Modern History (ATAR) course enables students to study the forces that have shaped today’s world and provides them with a broader and deeper comprehension of the world in which they
Politics and Law (ATAR)
Course Code: AEPAL/ATPAL Domain: Humanities and Social Science (HASS) Timetable: Semester 1 and 2 Length of Course: 2 Years Unit Information Politics and law is a critical study of the processes of decision making concerning society’s collective future. The study of politics examines the structures and processes through which individuals and groups