Introduction

The key learning area of Human Society and Its Environment involves the study of people, cultures, societies and environments in different places and at different times. Students develop knowledge and understanding about diverse societies, local and global environments, and relationships between these environments and societies.

The study of Geography is an essential part of this key learning area, as it provides a unique opportunity for an integrated study of the spatial and ecological dimensions of the world. It requires an understanding of the significance of interrelationships on different scales, including local, regional, national, continental and global. It takes account of changes over time and space.

This syllabus is a revision of the 1992 Geography Years 7–10 Syllabus. It reflects several developments in curriculum writing since the implementation of the 1992 syllabus. In particular, it provides an explicit focus on civics and citizenship education, and the development of key competencies and literacy in the study of Geography.

Geography K–12 provides a framework that makes the world more understandable and enjoyable and which allows students to build an overall view of the world.

Stages 1, 2 and 3

Students in these stages begin their studies of Geography in an integrated way as they develop spatial understanding in Mathematics, as they learn about natural and human environments in Science and Technology, and as they learn about the interactions of people with one another and with the social, cultural and physical environments in Human Society and Its Environment.

Stages 4 and 5

Students in Stage 4 are formally introduced to the discipline of Geography. They learn about what geographers do and about the tools geographers use to investigate the distribution of human and natural phenomena on the earth’s surface. In Stages 4 and 5, students build on their developing spatial understanding by using geographical tools to investigate global and Australian environments and how people manage these environments.

In Stages 4 and 5, teachers have opportunities to develop units of work that encourage students to form positive attitudes towards Geography and their responsibilities as citizens. From these experiences, students should acquire a lifelong interest in Geography and understand its impact on the present and the future.

Stage 6

Geography in Stage 6 increases students’ knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes and values related to people and their natural, social, cultural and built environments. Students develop more sophisticated understanding and skills to explain the spatial interactions and interdependence between human and natural phenomena, so that they may be more informed, active and responsible members of society.

Board of Studies Requirements

All students must study at least 100 hours of a course in the key learning area of Human Society and Its Environment in each year from Year 7 to Year 10.

Students commencing secondary school in 1999 and thereafter will be required to study 100 hours each of History and Geography in Stage 4 and 100 hours each of Australian History and Australian Geography in Stage 5. These students will be required to sit a two-hour test in aspects of Australian History and Australian Geography, incorporating Civics and Citizenship, in November of their School Certificate year.