Outlined below is a brief overview of some of the topics you will cover in HSIE. You will find a more detail description if you read on.
Geography
- Investigating the World (Introduction to Geography)
- Global Environments (Rainforests, Mountains)
- Field Study Excursion – Fleays Fauna Centre
History
- Introduction to History
- A History of Ancient Societies
- Egypt
- Greece
- Rome
- Medieval History
- An assignment on one aspect of an Ancient or Medieval Society
-An assignment on one type of Global Environment
So what is HSIE?
Human Society and Its Environment(HSIE) is the Key Learning Area(KLA) that enables students to learn about the world around them, from a social studies perspective. For year 7 students it involves a semester of Geography followed by a semester of History. Students enjoy the subjects as they cover new, interesting and relevant topics.
Geography
All students at Mt St Patrick College study Geography during Years 7 and 8 (Stage 4) and in Year 9 and 10 (Stage 5). The 2005 BOS Syllabus for Geography Stages 4 /5 has been implemented with Year 7 students beginning with the “GLOBAL GEOGRAPHY” course in first Semester. At our school all yr 7 complete Geography in Semester 1. Students in Year 8 complete Geography in Semester 2.
TOPIC 1 (4G1): INVESTIGATION OF THE WORLD
This topic is an INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHY. In it students learn about the role of Geography in the world and they develop skills including mapping and gathering information in field work.
TOPIC 2 (4G2): GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTS
This topic involves a depth study of a Global Environment such as Rainforests. Students undertake a research project on another environment, such as Deserts, Mountains, Antarctica, Coral Reefs or Savannah. There is a strong environmental focus in the way College students study this topic.
History
All students at Mt St Patrick College study World History in Years 7 and 8 (Stage 4), and then carry on with Australian History in Years 9 and 10 (Stage 5). Year 7 complete History in second semester, while year 8 complete History in first semester. The 2005 BOS Syllabus for History Stages 4/5 is followed with the Year 7 cohort doing the mandatory “WORLD HISTORY” course and the yr 8 students continuing with the course that they began last year. The students in Year 9 begin the Stage 5 Course, which studies “AUSTRALIAN HISTORY”.
TOPIC 1:(4H1) INTRODUCING HISTORY
This topic introduces students to the study of Historical sources and the concept of chronological order. Students enjoy solving “History mysteries” and using evidence.
TOPIC 2(4H2) SOCIETIES AND CIVILISATIONS OF THE PAST
A HISTORY OF ANCIENT SOCIETIES
- ANCIENT EGYPT, GREECE and ROME
These interesting topics are studied in chronological order, with more time allocated to Ancient Egypt. Students are often fascinated by this ancient culture and society, and it allows for historical themes such as law and order, beliefs and values, and citizenship to be covered. A depth study of one aspect of an ancient society is the individual research task.
In both Geography and History students use their laptops regularly, however many literacy and numeracy tasks are performed with traditional methods, in preparation for external exams.