Learn, Challenge, Create
About:
Love people? Want to know what makes people tick? Want to understand how different societies relate to each other and the environment?
Humanities covers a broad range of subjects but at their heart is people, relationships and the environment. Never before has it been so vital, in an ever changing and shrinking world, for individuals to understand their place in it and how to relate to others. Humanities provides students with the tools to make sense of the world around them.
At Aldridge:
In Years 7 to 9, Humanities is offered as one of the core subjects and is taught in all year levels. In the senior school, Humanities becomes more specialised and students are able to select from a variety of General and Applied subjects, including Ancient History; Modern History; Geography; Economics and Social and Community Studies.
Why study the humanities?
The broad range of Humanities subjects offers a wide range of interesting and exciting topics to study - something for everyone. At their essence they develop academic research and writing skills, preparing students for the rigour of tertiary study. The emphasis is on the 21st century skills such as critical thinking to give students an understanding of the world they live in and how to relate with others in a constructive and meaningful manner. Studying one or more of the Humanities subjects allows students to become informed global citizens. Having studied one of the Humanities, the career choices are numerous: Law, Justice, Education, Commerce, Business, Archaeology/Anthropology, Psychology; as well as the creative industries such as Game Design, Literature, Screen and Novel Writing - the list is endless.
Facilities and equipment:
The range of facilities and equipment available for students to use and experience in class is dynamic and diverse.
The school boasts its own Archaeological Dig Pit and a range of specialist archaeological equipment to give students a hands-on experience out of the classroom. We have a vast number of artefacts from various times throughout history including a Roman Legionary Helmet and a Viking drinking vessel. We have a range of geographical equipment to be used in the field including water sampling kits and weather stations. During the year we offer a number of incursions and excursions to students to enhance their learning experience – the ever-popular incursions bring experts and equipment into the school to provide the students a range of experiences.
Senior students are invited to attend the Humanities International Travel Tour to gain a deeper understanding of the World and our place in it, these take place every second year.
Units of study:
JUNIOR HUMANITIES
Year 7
UNIT
| TIME
| NAME
| DESCRIPTION |
1
| 10 weeks
| Archaeology and the Ancient Mediterranean | Students investigate the fundamentals of archaeology and apply them during an incursion at the Archaeological Dig Pit. This is followed by a study of one of the ancient Mediterranean Civilizations where students develop a webpage. |
| 2 | 10 weeks | Ancient Asia | Students study ancient China, ancient Japan or ancient India to investigate the lifestyle and history of our near, Asian neighbours. |
| 3 | 10 weeks | Local Area Studies | Students explore the land features and history or the Fraser Coast – particularly examining the Mary River catchment and its importance in the settlement of the region. |
Year 8
UNIT
| TIME | NAME
| DESCRIPTION |
| 1 | 8 weeks
| Landforms and Mapping | Students learn types and applications of maps, how to read maps and locate specific points using compasses, and grid references. |
| 2 | 8 weeks | Middle Ages | Students explore the excitement of the Middle Ages and participate in a unique immersion day with recreators and replica artefacts. |
| 3 | 8 weeks | Black Death | In an age of international turmoil, students investigate the wide-reaching impact of the Black Death and the effect is had directly on Maryborough. |
| 4 | 4 weeks | Renaissance, Reformation or Age of Discovery | Never before had the world gone through such wide- reaching changes and discoveries, students investigate the discoveries and social change brought about by the Reformation, Age of Discovery and Renaissance. |
| 5 | 8 weeks | Industrial Revolution | The modern world really began with the scientific and industrial development of the Industrial Revolution, students go back to where the modern world started. |
Year 9
UNIT
| TIME
| NAME
| DESCRIPTION
|
| 1 | 10 weeks | World War I | Students study the causes and horrors of World War I; looking particularly at Australia's involvement from the landing at Gallipoli to the frontline trenches in France. |
| 2 | 10 weeks | World War II | Students study a time when war was knocking on our door by examining the Bombing of Darwin, the Battle of Kokoda; the Burmese Railway and the significant role women played. |
| 3 | 5 weeks | Rights and Freedoms | At a time when the fight Human Rights are at the forefront of discussions around the world, students study Australia's human rights record with a particular focus on Indigenous Australians |
| 4 | 5 weeks | Natural Disasters | Students examine the awesome power Unleashed by Mother Nature during a range of Natural Disasters and the impact they have on the natural and human environments. |
| 5 | Electives | Taster of the senior subjects | In preparation for senior the students are given the flexibility to focus their study in the area they prefer. Students elect complete a unit from one of the following: - Ancient History
- Modern History
- Economics/Geography
|
Senior Subjects: studied in Years 10, 11 and 12 include:
General Subjects:
- Ancient History
- Modern History
- Geography
- Economics
Applied Subjects:
- Social and Community Studies