Year 10 Humanities

Year 10 Geography

Geography assists students to make sense of an increasingly complex and changing world. The subject possesses a distinct body of knowledge and skills and also acts as a link between different curriculum areas to provide a spatial view of the world. When we equip students with geographic knowledge, we empower them to think critically, solve problems and be the architects of change that our planet needs. Geography today is about seeing the whole picture. It’s about seeing the future. 

Geography uses a spatial framework to understand the dynamics of culture, political systems and economics (human geography) and relates it to physical landscapes (physical geography). The issue of sustainability and an inquiry approach to learning are fundamental in Geography. Students are encouraged to become informed about local and global issues. They formulate and evaluate policies to deal with the management of resources in a sustainable manner.  

This unit focuses on investigating environmental geography through an in-depth study of a specific environment. This begins with an overview of the environmental functions that support all life, the major challenges to their sustainability, and the environmental world views – including those of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples – that influence how people perceive and respond to these challenges. Students investigate a specific type of environment and environmental change in Australia and one other country. They apply human-environment systems thinking to understand the causes and consequences of the change and geographical concepts and methods to evaluate and select strategies to manage the change. The case study used for this unit will be Coasts as a Natural System and will involve a fieldtrip to a local beach to explore the ways in which human activities have impacted on this natural environment. 

Information and Communication Technologies are applied where appropriate to assist the learning process and as a means of creating and communicating knowledge. The use of Information and Communications Technology is an integral component of the Geography in each area of study. 

Valuable skills learnt in Geography, such as communication, analysis, critical-thinking, data visualisation and problem-solving skills are in high demand, not only in further education but also in the world beyond. The dynamic and evolving field of geospatial technologies including Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provides diverse opportunities for tertiary study and career development. Geography is particularly well supported by subjects from areas of the Sciences, Commerce such as Economics and Legal Studies, Humanities and Outdoor Education. 

Areas of Study

The course consists of two units:

Unit 1: Environmental Change and Management

This unit focuses on investigating environmental geography through an in-depth study of a specific environment. This begins with an overview of the environmental functions that support all life, the major challenges to their sustainability, and the environmental world views – including those of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples – that influence how people perceive and respond to these challenges. Students investigate a specific type of environment and environmental change in Australia and one other country. They apply human-environment systems thinking to understand the causes and consequences of the change and geographical concepts and methods to evaluate and select strategies to manage the change. The case study used for this unit will be Coasts as a Natural System and will involve a fieldtrip to a local beach to explore the ways in which human activities have impacted on this natural environment.

Unit 2: Geographies of Human Wellbeing

This unit focuses on investigating global, national and local differences in human wellbeing. Students will look at the different concepts and measures of human wellbeing, and the causes of global differences in these measures between countries. Students explore spatial differences in wellbeing within and between countries and evaluate the differences from a variety of perspectives. They also explore programs designed to reduce the gap between differences in wellbeing by looking at the roles of government and non-government agencies in Australia and around the world. These distinctive aspects of human wellbeing are investigated using studies drawn from Australia, India and across the world as appropriate.

Assessment

Assessment is derived from the various activities during the Semester and utilises a variety of information and communication technology tools.

• Practical exercises
• Map work
• Written responses
• Examination
• Fieldwork and fieldwork Report

Year 10 History

Year 10 History is a semester based subject which provides an opportunity to learn the writing skills necessary to become successful in VCE History, while engaging in interesting content. 

The course examines significant political and economic debates during the twentieth century. Particular emphasis is placed on the transformation of the modern world as a consequence of radical political actions, ideas, global conflict and attempts to deal with these through international cooperation, including Australia’s influence in the United Nations and the Asia-Pacific region.

Topic 1 is an investigation into wartime experiences through a study of World War II and the broader impact of the conflict as an episode in world history.  

Topic 2 is a study of the nature of the Indigenous civil rights movement in Australia and the nature of the achievements made over time. As part of this course students examine primary documents from the period, analyse differing historical perspectives and understand the nature of change across time. 

Topic 3 looks at the Globalising World and Migration Experiences.  In particular we study the migration to Australia after World War 2 and how this has contributed towards the multi-cultural society we live in today.  

Assessments include debates, source analysis and extended response questions