In Stage 4, students study both History and Geography across Year 7 and 8.

History

In History, the aim is to stimulate students’ interest in and enjoyment of exploring the ancient past and to develop a critical understanding of the past and its impact on the present. Aspects of the ancient, medieval and early modern world and the heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are studied.

Topics studied:

• Investigating the Ancient Past
• The Mediterranean World
• The Asian World
• The Western and Islamic World
• Expanding Contacts
• The Asian Pacific World

Geography

Geography develops in students an interest in and engagement with the world. Students learn about geographical phenomena and processes, the liveability of places, and environmental management strategies. Through geographical inquiry and the use of geographical tools, students will develop an understanding of the interactions between people, places and environments across a range of scales.

Topics studied:

• Landscapes and Landforms
• Place and Liveability
• Water in the World
• Interconnections

In Stage 5, students study both History and Geography across Year 9 and 10.

History

In History, students learn about significant developments in the making of the modern world and Australia. Students develop the skills to investigate history, including analysing sources and sequencing major historical events to gain an understanding of the historical concepts of change and continuity, causation, contestability and significance.

Topics studied:

• Depth Study: The Making of the Modern World
• Core Study: Australians at War
• Depth Study: Modern World and Australia
• Core Study: Rights and Freedoms

Geography

In Geography, students have the opportunity to explain geographical processes that transform places and environments, and explore consequences and sustainable management strategies. Students learn how to undertake geographical inquiry to build and extend knowledge and understanding about people, places and environments and to apply geographical concepts and tools to identify questions and guide their investigations.

Topics studied:

• Sustainable Biomes
• Changing Places
• Environmental Management and Change
• Human Wellbeing

In Stage 5, HSIE offers the following Elective courses:

Commerce

Commerce enables students to develop the knowledge, understanding, skills, values and attitudes that form the foundation on which they can make sound decisions about consumer, financial, economic, business, legal, political and employment issues.

Topics studied:

• Consumer and financial decisions
• The economic and business environment
• Employment and work futures
• Law, society and political involvement
• Options include: Running a business, Towards Independence, Travel

History Elective

History Elective enables students to develop an interest in and enjoyment of exploring the past. History Elective provides opportunities to develop a knowledge and understanding of past societies and historical periods. Students explore the nature of history, heritage and archaeology and methods that historians use to construct history through a range of thematic and historical studies.

Topics studied:

• History, Heritage and Archaeology
• Ancient, Medieval and Modern Societies
• Thematic Studies

Ancient History

Ancient History provides students with opportunities to develop and apply their understanding of methods and issues involved in the investigation of the ancient past. Students have the opportunity to engage in the study of a range of features, people, places, events and developments of the ancient world. Historical concepts and skills are integrated with the studies and investigations undertaken throughout the course.

Topics studied:

Year 11

• Investigating Ancient History
• Features of Ancient Societies
• Historical Investigation

Year 12

• Core Study: Cities of Vesuvius – Pompeii and Herculaneum
• Ancient Societies
• Personalities in their Times
• Historical Periods

Modern History

Modern History engages students in an investigation of the forces that have shaped the world, based on the analysis and interpretation of sources. Students have the opportunity to engage in the study of a range of people, ideas, movements, events and developments that have led to the shaping of the modern world.

Topics studied:

Year 11

• Investigating Modern History
• The Shaping of the Modern World
• Historical Investigation

Year 12

• Core Study: Power and Authority in the Modern World 1919–1946
• National Studies
• Peace and Conflict
• Change in the Modern World

Business Studies

The Business Studies course encompasses the theoretical and practical aspects of business in ways students will encounter throughout their lives. It offers learning from the planning of a small business to the management of operations, marketing, finance and human resources in large businesses.

Topics studied:

Year 11

• Nature of business
• Business management
• Business planning

Year 12

• Operations
• Finance
• Marketing
• Human resources

Legal Studies

Legal Studies examines the Australian Legal System, which involves how laws are developed and reformed. Students investigate individuals and the law, especially their rights and responsibilities and the law in practice, which involves the investigation of vulnerable individuals and groups and how they have been impacted upon by the legal system.

Topics studied:

Year 11

• The legal system
• The individual and the law
• Law in practice

Year 12

• Core: Crime
• Core: Human rights
• Two Option topics (e.g Consumers and Family) 

Geography

Geography enables students to investigate biophysical and human geography and develop students' knowledge and understanding about the spatial and ecological dimensions of geography. Enquiry methodologies are used to investigate the unique characteristics of our world through fieldwork, geographical skills and the study of contemporary geographical issues.

Topics studied:

Year 11

• Biophysical Interactions
• Global Challenges
• Senior Geography Project

Year 12

• Ecosystems at Risk
• Urban Places
• People and Economic Activity

Society and Culture

Society and Culture develops social and cultural literacy and a clear understanding of the interactions of persons, society, culture, environment and time, and how these shape human behaviour. The course draws on cross-disciplinary concepts and social research methods, and students undertake research on a variety of social and cultural issues.

Topics studied:

Year 11

• The Social and Cultural World
• Personal and Social Identity
• Intercultural Communication

Year 12

• Core: Social and Cultural Continuity and Change
• Core: Personal Interest Project
• Depth studies - two to be chosen from the following: Popular Culture, Belief Systems and Ideologies, Social Inclusion and Exclusion or Social Conformity and Nonconformity

Work Studies

Work Studies is designed to assist students in their transition from school to work, with students being given the opportunity to develop their skills, knowledge and confidence in transitioning from school into further education and the workforce. In addition, students develop their knowledge and understanding of the workforce and further develop skills that are essential for future employment.

Topics studied:

• Core: My Working Life
• Modules such as : Preparing Job Applications, Personal Finance, Workplace Issues and Managing Work and Life Commitments

History Extension (Year 12)

History Extension provides students with opportunities to examine the way history is constructed and the role of historians. Students investigate the nature of history and changing approaches to its construction through sampling the works of various writers, historians and others involved in the practice of history. Students apply their understanding to undertake an individual investigative project, focusing on an area of changing historical interpretation.

Topics studied:

• Constructing History
• History Project