The Humanities and Social Sciences subjects in the Australian Curriculum provide a broad understanding of the world we live in, and how people can participate as active and informed citizens with high-level skills needed now and in the future. They provide opportunities for students to develop their own personal and social learning, and to explore their perspectives as well as those of others.
Through studying Humanities and Social Sciences, students will develop the ability to question, think critically, solve problems, communicate effectively, make decisions and adapt to change. This requires an understanding of the key historical, geographical, legal, political, economic, business and societal factors involved, and how these different factors interrelate.
Aims
Humanities and Social Sciences aims to ensure that students develop:
- a sense of wonder, curiosity and respect about places, people, cultures and systems throughout the world, past and present, and an interest in and enjoyment of the study of these phenomena
- key historical, geographical, civic, business and economic knowledge of people, places, values and systems, past and present, in local to global contexts
- an understanding and appreciation of historical developments, geographic phenomena, civic values and economic factors that shape society, influence sustainability and create a sense of belonging
- an understanding of the key concepts applied to disciplinary and/or cross-disciplinary inquiries
- the capacity to use disciplinary skills, including disciplinary-appropriate questioning, researching using reliable sources, analysing, evaluating and communicating
- dispositions required for effective participation in everyday life, now and in the future, including the ability to problem-solve critically and creatively, make informed decisions, be a responsible and active citizen, make informed economic and financial choices, and reflect on ethics.
Structure
For each of the 5 subjects in Humanities and Social Sciences, content is organised under 2 interrelated strands:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Skills
Content is presented in year levels for the Knowledge and understanding strand and in bands for the Skills strand in each of the four subjects. The table below outlines the strands and sub-strands for the HASS Learning area.
The Knowledge and understanding sub-strands are taught in the following year levels:
Prep - Year 2: History and Geography
Year 3 and 4: History, Geography and Civics and Citizenship
Years 5 and 6: History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship and Economics and Business.
The Minimum Requirements for Providing the Australian Curriculum provides clarity around the time that teachers are required to spend implementing the HASS Learning Area