Social Sciences

People, places, and the interaction between them.

The Social Sciences Department covers a wide range of subjects including Classical Studies, Geography, History, Tourism, Early Childhood Education and Social Studies.

All areas of study share a common focus on people and place and the interaction between them. Social Science subjects include studies of:

  • people from different cultures, times, and places
  • peoples’ relationship with and impact on the environment; global issues
  • different value, viewpoints and human behaviour
  • Research skills, critical thinking, communication and social participation the rights, roles and responsibilities of citizens in a democracy
  • the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand’s bicultural heritage and multi-cultural society
  • problem solving

Courses and Pathways

Year 9 & 10 Social Studies

Entry Requirements:

N/A

Junior Diploma Credits:

18 Credits at each year level.

BYOD Recommendations:

An internet and word-processing capable device, such as a Chromebook or better. We recommend the device has an external keyboard and at least a 10 inch screen.

Who is this course for?

This is a core class in which students develop the knowledge and skills to enable them to:

  • better understand, participate in, and contribute to the local, national, and global communities in which they live and work.
  • engage critically with societal issues.
  • evaluate the sustainability of alternative social, economic, political, and environmental practices.

Year 11 Geography

Entry Requirements:

N/A

Credits:

Up to 21 Credits at Level 1

BYOD Recommendations:

Wi-Fi connectable device (ie Chromebook)

Who is this course for?

Students who are interested in the shaping of our natural world and who want to understand how events affect the environment we live in.

Achievement Standards:

AS 91007 1.1 Demonstrate understanding of environments that have been shaped by extreme natural event(s) EXT
AS 91010 1.4 Apply concepts and basic geographic skills to demonstrate understanding of a given environment EXT
AS 91009 1.3 Demonstrate geographic understanding of the sustainable use of an environment INT
AS 91011 1.5 Conduct geographic research, with direction INT
AS 91012 1.6 Describe aspects of a contemporary New Zealand geographic issue INT
AS 91013 1.7 Describe aspects of a geographic topic at a global scale INT

Year 11 History

Entry Requirements:

N/A

Credits:

20 Credits at Level 1

BYOD Recommendations:

Wi-Fi connectable device (ie Chromebook)

Who is this course for?

Students with solid basic reading and writing skills who enjoy thinking about issues, finding out who, what, when and why in the past, in New Zealand and other countries

Achievement Standards:

AS 91001 1.1 An investigation of an historical event of significance to New Zealanders INT
AS 91002 1.2 Demonstrate understanding of an historical event of significance to New Zealanders INT
AS 91004 1.4 Describe the perspectives of people in an historical event of significance to new Zealanders INT
AS 91005 1.5 Describe the causes and consequences of an historical event EXT
AS 91006 1.6 Describe how a significant historical event affected New Zealand society EXT

Year 12 Classical Studies

Entry Requirements:

A minimum of 14 credits in NCEA Level 1 History, English, Geography.

Credits:

18 Credits at Level 2

BYOD Recommendations:

Wi-Fi connectable device (i.e. Chromebook)

Who is this course for?

Students with solid basic reading and writing skills who enjoy learning about the ancient world. This course offers students the ability to develop their skills in research, close analysis of literature and analysis of works of art and architecture.

Achievement Standards:

AS 91202 2.3 Demonstrate understanding of a significant event in the classical world INT
AS 91204 2.5 Demonstrate understanding of the relationship between aspects of the classical world and other cultures INT
AS 91201 2.2 Examine the significant features of works of art of the classical world EXT
AS 91200 2.1 Examine ideas and values of the classical world EXT

Year 12 Early Childhood Education

Entry Requirements:

N/A

Credits:

23 Credits in Level 2

BYOD Recommendations:

Wi-Fi connectable device (i.e. Chromebook)

Who is this course for?

Students who would like to take up early childhood education as a potential career pathway. The course covers 22 credits towards the MIT certificate of Achievement in ECE. These credits can also be used for NCEwith an extra unit making the total 24 credits.

Achievement Standards:

US 10021 Basic Needs in early childhood INT
US 10020 Hygiene in early childhood INT
US 26715 Professional Image INT
US 10024 Health in early Childhood INT
US 10022 Demonstrate knowledge patterns and short-term separation in an ECE service INT
US 10023 Describe transition situations in an ECE service INT
US 26712 Nutrition for young children INT
US 10032 Ethical behaviour (an extra unit) INT
US 25459 Provide first aid for young children INT
US 26551 Provide first aid for life threatening conditions. INT

Year 12 Geography

Entry Requirements:

A total of 12 Level 1 AS credits from Geography, History, English or Science.

Credits:

Up to 22 Credits at Level 2

BYOD Recommendations:

Wi-Fi connectable device (i.e. Chromebook)

Who is this course for?

Students who are interested to explore the world in which we live and who want to understand how humans affect the environment we live in.

Achievement Standards:

AS 91240 2.1 Demonstrate geographic understanding of a large natural environment EXT
AS 91241 2.2 Demonstrate geographic understanding of an urban pattern INT
AS 91243 2.4 Apply geography concepts and skills EXT
AS 91244 2.5 Conduct geographic research with guidance INT
AS 91245 2.6 Explain aspects of a contemporary NZ geographic issue INT
AS 91246 2.7 Explain aspects of a geographic topic at a global scale INT

Year 12 History

Entry Requirements:

12 Credits in Level 1 History or English

Credits:

24 Credits at Level 2

BYOD Recommendations:

N/A

Who is this course for?

Students with solid basic reading and writing skills who enjoy thinking about issues, finding out who, what, when and why in the past, in New Zealand and other countries.

Achievement Standards:

AS 91229 2.1 Carry out an inquiry of an historical event of significance to New Zealanders INT
AS 91230 2.2 Examine an historical event of significance to New Zealanders INT
AS 91232 2.4 Interpret different perspectives of people in an historical event of significance to New Zealanders INT
AS 91233 2.5 Examine causes and consequences of a significant historical event EXT
AS 91234 2.6 Describe how a significant historical event affected New Zealand society EXT

Year 12 Tourism

Entry Requirements:

N/A

Credits:

24 Credits at Level 2 and 8 Credits at Level 3

BYOD Recommendations:

Wi-Fi connectable device (i.e. Chromebook)

Who is this course for?

Students who are interested in working in the Travel and Tourism industry. This Unit Standard course is largely focussed on travel within New Zealand and gives a broad overview of this sector.

Achievement Standards:

US 24728 Work Roles in Tourism INT
US 24726 The socio-cultural impacts of the tourism industry INT
US 24727 The environmental impacts of the tourism industry INT
US 24729 World Tourist Destinations INT
Level 3 US 18212 Destination New Zealand INT
US 23767 Reading and Comprehending Documents for the travel industry INT
US 18237 Calculations in Tourism INT
US 24731 Knowledge of NZ as a Destination INT
US 23767 Internet use in the Tourism Industry INT

Year 13 Classical Studies

Entry Requirements:

A minimum of 12 Credits in Level 2 Classical Studies, English or History, plus UE literacy.

Credits:

20 Credits at Level 3

BYOD Recommendations:

Wi-Fi connectable device (i.e. Chromebook)

Who is this course for?

Students with a solid basic reading and writing skills who enjoy learning about the ancient world. This course studies Ancient Roman history, politics, literature and art. It is a wide ranging and challenging subject. Students will think about, question and analyse the thoughts, words and actions of some of the most interesting characters in history.

Achievement Standards:

AS 91397 3.4 Demonstrate understanding of significant ideologies ithe ancient world INT
AS 91398 3.5 Demonstrate understanding of the lasting influence of the classical world on other cultures across time INT
AS 91395 3.2 Analyse the significance of a work(s) of art in the classical word EXT
AS 91394 3.1 Analyse ideas and values of the classical world EXT

Year 13 Geography

Entry Requirements:

A total of 12 Level 2 AS credits from Geography, History, English, a Science subject.

Credits:

Up to 22 Credits at Level 3

BYOD Recommendations:

Wi-Fi connectable device (i.e. Chromebook)

Who is this course for?

Students who want to deepen their understanding of the world we live in and also want to gain a solid preparation for studying Geography or related disciplines at a tertiary level.

Achievement Standards:

AS 91426 3.1 How interacting natural processes shape a NZ environment EXT
AS 91428 3.3 Analyse a significant contemporary event from a geographic perspective INT
AS 91429 3.4 Selecting and applying geographic concepts and skills EXT
AS 91430 3.5 Conduct geographic research with consultation INT
AS 91431 3.6 Analyse aspects of a contemporary geographic issue INT
AS 91432 3.7 Analyse aspects of a geographic topic at a global scale INT

Year 13 History

Entry Requirements:

12 Credits in Level 2 History or English

Credits:

22 Credits at Level 3

BYOD Recommendations:

Wi-Fi connectable device (i.e. Chromebook)

Who is this course for?

Students with solid basic reading and writing skills who enjoy thinking about issues, finding out who, what, when and why in the past, in New Zealand and other countries.

Achievement Standards:

AS 91434 3.1 Research an historical event of significance to New Zealanders INT
AS 91435 3.2 Examine an historical event of significance to New Zealanders INT
AS 91438 3.5 Analyse the causes and consequences of a significant historical event EXT
AS 91439 3.6 Analyse a significant historical trend and the force(s) that influenced it EXT

Year 13 Tourism

Entry Requirements:

N/A

Credits:

7 Credits at Level 2 and 19 Credits at Level 3

BYOD Recommendations:

Wi-Fi connectable device (i.e. Chromebook)

Who is this course for?

Students who are interested in working in the Travel and Tourism industry. This unit standard course is largely focussed on travel within Australia and the Pacific Islands.

Achievement Standards:

Level 2 US 24732 Tourism Characteristics INT
Level 3 US 18211 Destination Australia INT
Level 2 US 24730 The Business of tourism INT
Level 3 US 3727 Destination Pacific Islands INT
Level 3 US 24725 Economic significance of Tourism INT
Level 3 US 24733 Describe and promote a New Zealand tourist destination INT

Daniel Ferguson

Subject I have taken: I am studying junior social studies.

Why am I am studying this subject: I am studying this subject because I would like to have a wider knowledge of what is happening in the world and what has happened in our history. I believe a wide knowledge of events taking place now and in the future is important in a globalising world.

What this Subject offers me: Social studies offers me an entrance to a wide general knowledge of the world, history and social issues. Our classes cover a wide range of topics from human rights to how maps of countries work and how the boundaries were decided.

Why I love this subject: I love this subject because of the how interactive the learning environment is. We will do anything from general knowledge quizzes every week, using laptops for webquests, labeling maps to watching movies on past events.