In human society and its environment (HSIE), both subjects of history and geography are mandatory from Kindergarten to Year 10.
Students learn specific historical and geographical concepts and skills in history and geography. They also have an opportunity to learn more about people and the societies and environments in which they live through elective subjects in Years 7 to 10 (Stages 4 to 5).
A large number of individual subjects make up the key learning area of HSIE in which students:
- research, gather and analyse information
- question and make judgements
- write for a variety of purposes.
Human society and its environment is the study of the world and its people, which allows students to develop an understanding of and an interest in the interaction of the physical and human environments. Students develop geographic knowledge, understanding, skills, values and attitudes in order to engage in the community as informed and active citizens.
Years 7 and 8
In Years 7 and 8, students at Bass High School will learn about global geography. This allows students to develop an understanding of and an interest in the interaction of the physical and human environments. Global geography, civics and citizenship will explore geographical processes and human interactions that shape global environments. Students will also learn about geographical issues and different perspectives about those issues, fieldwork activities and develop an understanding of civics and appropriate methods of citizenship for individual and group responses to these issues.
Investigating the world
- The nature of Geography and our world
- Geographical research and world heritage sites
Global environments
- Global environments
- One selected global environment and its community
Global change
- Changing nature of the world
- Global inequalities and global organisations
Global issues and the role of citizenship
- Global geographical issues
- Two examples of Geographical issues
Years 9 and 10 geography
In years 9 and 10, students at Bass High School will learn about Australian geography and the interaction of human and physical geography in a local context.
The study of geography develops a wide range of skills such as gathering, organising, evaluating and communicating geographical information from a variety of primary and secondary sources, including fieldwork.
Investigating Australia's physical environments
- The Australian continent and its physical characteristics
- Example of one natural hazard
The changing Australian communities
- Human characteristics that make Australia unique and types of communities
- Factors causing change and an example of Australian community
Issues in Australian environments
- Geographical issues
- Two geographical issues affecting the Australian environments
Australia in its regional and global contexts
- The place of Australia in the world
- Australia's regional and global links
- One example of regional and global link
- Future challenges for Australian population
- Human rights and reconciliation
Years 9 and 10 commerce
In Year 9 and 10, students at Bass High School will learn about commercial issues and practices. This provides the knowledge, skills, understanding and values that form the foundation on which young people make sound decisions on consumer, financial, business, legal and employment issues.
Commerce develops in students an understanding of commercial and legal processes and competencies for personal financial management. Through the study of commerce, students develop financial literacy, which enables them to participate in the financial system in an informed way.
Core topics
- Consumer choice
- Personal finance
Option topics
- Investing
- Promoting and selling
- E–commerce
Core topics
- Law and society
- Employment issues
Option topics
- Global links
- Law in action
- Our economy
Years 11 and 12
In Years 11 and 12, students begin completion of their NSW Higher School Certificate Qualification (HSC). Students can enjoy studying humanity subjects in a variety of forms for their HSC including:
- business studies (two unit board developed course)
- economics (two unit board developed course)
- legal studies (two unit board developed course)
- business services (two unit VET course)
- other courses that could also run in the future are society & culture, geography and religious studies—all these are also board-developed courses, but this depends on the interest of students.