In Stage 4 Human Society and its Environment (HSIE), History is taught to students in Year 7 and Geography is taught to students in Year 8.
Year 7 and 8 HSIE subjects
History - Year 7
The Year 7 students at Granville Boys High School will be studying the following topics in History.
Term 1 - Investigating the Ancient Past and Ancient Egypt
The topic of ‘Investigating the Ancient Past’ will introduce historical studies and the concepts and processes of investigating the ancient past, and the skills of historical analysis. There is a focus on the nature of history and archaeology and the relationship they have with sources. Whilst the topic of ‘Ancient Egypt’ is a depth study focusing on the major periods of time, events and people and societies. Students learn about the geography, societal structure, beliefs, laws, conflicts and rituals through investigation and source analysis work.
Term 2 – Ancient China
This topic of ‘Ancient China’ is a depth study focusing on the establishment of the civilisation and the reign of the key groups in this period. Students will be investigating the significant beliefs, values and practices of the ancient society, as well as, the development and expansion of trade, whilst working on their source analysis and writing skills.
Term 3 - Vikings
This topic of ‘The Vikings’ is a depth study focusing on what the causes and effects of contact between societies were during this period, significant developments and cultural achievements that led to Viking expansion and the way of life in Viking society.
Term 4 - Polynesian Expansion
This topic of ‘Polynesian Expansion’ is a depth study focusing on the Asia-Pacific world and how societies have changed over a period of time and interaction with new territory. Students will investigate the origin and spread of Polynesian settlers, the way Polynesian societies used environmental resources, the way of life and cultural achievements in a Polynesian society.
The students will also be taught a range of skills alongside the content throughout the year, which they can incorporate into their daily lives and future History career. Skills are comprehension of chronology, terms and concepts, analysis and use of sources, identifying perspectives and interpretations, build on empathetic understanding, research skills and their ability explanation and communication.
Geography - Year 8
The Year 8 students at Granville Boys High School will be studying the following topics in Geography.
Term 1 - Landscapes and Landforms
This topic will introduce the concepts of landscapes and landforms, the processes responsible for their formation and the ways in which people value them. A particular focus is the relationship between Indigenous peoples and landscapes and landforms, and the ways in which landscapes help shape national identity.
Term 2 – Interconnections
This topic will focus on the perceptions people have of place, and how this influences their connections to different places. We pay particular attention to the processes of cultural diffusion and adaptation and the impact of travel on both person undertaking the journey and those living in the places visited.
Term 3 - Water in the World
This topic will focus on the importance of water, the water cycle, the global distribution of water resources and the various ways in which people use water.
Term 4 - Place and Liveability
This topic will focus on the perception of liveability and how it can be measured, how the perception of liveability vary from person to person based on a range of factors and how it can be improved. Of particular interest are the ways the quality of life of those living in our larger cities can be enhanced.
The students will also be taught a range of skills alongside the content throughout the year, which they can incorporate into their daily lives and future Geography career. Skills are reading and extracting information from topographic maps, identifying gride reference and area reference co-ordinates, describe the shape of landscapes and landforms from topography and relief maps, and accurately locate places and features on the earth’s surface using latitude and longitude.