SOSE (STUDY of SOCIETY AND ENVIRONMENT)

The Studies of Society and Environment (SOSE) curriculum provides opportunities for students to:

· Increase their knowledge and understanding of society, culture, government, political systems and the environment

· Increase their knowledge and understanding of the political, social and economic development of Australia and to develop a sense of national identity

· Develop their investigation, communication and participation skills

· Increase their awareness that knowing how to learn is as important as knowing.

Students in year 7 (Social Science) and year 8 (Australian Studies) study a common program.  Students in years 9 and 10 are offered a range of semester units drawn primarily from the disciplines of History, Geography, Economics/Commerce, Law and Sociology.

The year 7 Social Science program aims to develop and reinforce some key skills, particularly in the disciplines of history and geography.  Students undertake research projects and assignments that encourage the use of traditional text based library resources as well as internet sources.

Analytical skills are a strong focus with students working through a series of structured investigations.  These exercises require the interpretation of information, making decisions on its relevance and highlight the importance of developing theories and conclusions that are based on and supported specifically by the information.

The year 8 Australian Studies program builds on students' knowledge, understanding and skills developed in year 7. It concentrates on increasing students' awareness and understanding of their own country and its position within the global environment. Students in years 9 and 10 have the opportunity to select from a variety of semester units drawn from the disciplines of:

• History
• Economics/Commerce
• Geography
• Law and Society

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Year 7 Social Science

Two core units reinforce our focus on skills and understandings:

What is History?                               What is Geography?

The balance of the program is made up from a selection of optional units including:

• Ancient Civilisations
• Canberra - Local Areas case study
• Myths and Mysteries
• You and the Law

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Year 8 and 9 Australian Studies

This course has been designed to provide year 8 and 9 students with an appreciation and understanding of their own country and its position within the global environment. 

Three main topics are covered over the year:

• Investigating Australian history
• Investigating the Australian environment
• Investigating government and politics

Year 9 and 10 Course

The SOSE program offered to year 9 and 10 students is a continuation of the courses studied in years 7 and 8, however all are semester units. 

Students must complete a compulsory SOSE unit in both year 9, 20th Century Australian History, and year 10, Work Pathways, but are free to chose more as electives.  In most cases there is no distinction between year 9 and 10 units, however there are two units that are listed exclusively for year 10 due to the complexity of the concepts and work.

Year 9/10 elective units currently offered

Geography Units:                          History Units:                                          Civics and Citizenship Units:               
Natural Disasters                              First Civilisations                                        Business Studies
Our Fragile Planet                             Ancient Greece and Rome                           Legal Studies
Wilderness                                       Medieval Europe                                         Global Issues
International Traveller                       People, Power and Politics (yr 10 only)         Work Pathways (yr 10 only)

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