Ancient Studies:

Students learn about ancient societies through the lens of historical, political, religious, cultural and literary perspectives. The course can build on learning which occurs in stage 1 and there can be a stronger focus on literature (such as drama) and/or the roles of different social groups in societies (slaves, foreigners, citizens). There is no external examination in the subject

The first assessment component (50%) focuses on skills and applications where students complete four tasks. In the second section (20%) students undertake two tasks, addressing connections between people and places. Students are encouraged to use a range of formats in responses, such as written, oral and multimodal.

The externally moderated component for this course is an independent research essay (30%) done at school, where students focus on an area of personal interest within the course. Some topics chosen by students can make very strong connections to current times and issues.

Modern History:

Students investigate change in the twentieth century, firstly engaging in a study of one country in ‘Modern Nations’ and of interactions between or among nations in ‘The world since 1945’. (including a topic called challenges to peace and security) Through their studies, students build their skills in historical method through inquiry. The school assessment component consists of two assessment types: Historical Skills (50%) where students complete five tasks and an Independent Historical Study (20%) of 2,000 words or equivalent (such as a multimodal presentation) in which students independently investigate an aspect of the world since c.1750. Modern History includes a 130-minute on-line electronic examination (30%) that is divided into two sections: an essay and a source analysis.

Women’s Studies:

Stage 2 Womens Studies provides students with the opportunity to undertake in- depth studies applying knowledge and understanding of the meaning of gender and its construction. As such they undertake a series of interrelated tasks examining the issues of disempowerment and empowerment based on three themed topics. Students also can explore in detail one of the eleven broad topic areas through an individual investigation as well as complete a set of gender analysis tasks on two additional areas of study. All students will communicate informed ideas about the diversity of women’s experiences, using the language of gender analysis.

Legal Studies:

Law is intended to facilitate fairness, justice, and harmony within communities. Legal Studies enables an understanding of the operation of the Australian legal system, its principles and processes, and prepares students to be informed and articulate in matters of the law and society.

Central to Legal Studies is an exploration of the competing tensions that arise between rights and responsibilities, fairness and efficiency, the empowered and the disempowered, and certainty and flexibility. Laws must constantly evolve in order to resolve these tensions, while also responding to changes in community values and circumstances.

Legal Studies is explored through the mechanism of asking ‘big questions’. Big questions stimulate deep thinking and engagement, and the consideration of a range of perspectives. Students must develop an argument in response to these questions, by evaluating, analysing and applying contextually appropriate legal principles, processes, evidence, and cases. Students consider a range of perspectives to make recommendations for reforms to the legal system and laws.

Students explore rights and responsibilities, sources of law, and adversarial and inquisitorial dispute resolution processes. Through Legal Studies, students examine how people, governments and institutions shape the law and how law controls, shapes, and regulates interactions between people, institutions, and government. Students develop an understanding of the ways in which they can influence democratic processes, the importance of critical and conceptual thinking, and the significance of checks and balances in providing lawful mechanisms to control the exercise of power.

Legal Studies empowers students to evaluate evidence in order to make decisions and potentially substantiated recommendations about legal principles and processes. Conceptual understanding and analysis allow transference within and across disciplines and for future learning. This skill development enables students to approach new situations and contexts with an analytical and problem-solving mindset.

The capabilities are deeply embedded in the nature of thinking, learning, and engagement with others.