TE AO TANGATA (SOCIAL SCIENCE)
The Social Science learning area is about how societies work and how people can participate as critical, active, informed, and responsible citizens. Contexts are drawn from the past, present, and future and from places within and beyond New Zealand.
History is about exploring the past, in order to understand the present, and shape the future. New Zealand history is seen within wider global contexts. Historians are skilled in research and source analysis that is fundamental for other subject areas.
Geography is the study of the relationship between people and their environments. Our environment is at a critical point in its history. Developing knowledge of humans and our impact on the natural world will allow you to prepare for the future.
Business Studies is about how individuals and groups of people organise, plan and act to create and develop goods and services to satisfy customers.
Commerce is the use and exploration of accounting, economic, and business concepts and models to make sense of society and solve problems.
Psychology gives us a fascinating insight into the behaviour of others, providing an opportunity to view the human mind from a systematic and scientific perspective. We look at addictive behaviour, the nature of evil, clinical and health practices, ethics and experimentation and consider just how we, as humans, tick.
LEVEL 1
Commerce
Commerce is the use and exploration of accounting, economic, and business concepts and models to make sense of society and solve problems. In this subject, ākonga will build knowledge, skills and values they need to navigate and participate in the world. They will learn how decisions are made and analyse how these impact sustainability.
Ākonga will learn that all individuals and groups need to make decisions, and that these are informed by a variety of cultural perspectives and lenses. Māori, Pacific and different approaches to Commerce will encompass business models from whānau and organisation contexts.
Throughout this course critical thinking skills will be developed through:
Case studies of local organisations
Applying theory and models to understand how resources are allocated and distributed
Experiencing the different functions of a business by creating and marketing a product for the school community
Connecting with organisations in action
Cost and Materials: Start-up capital of $30 to run a business activity
Entry Guidelines: No entry requirements
Leads to: Level 2 Business Studies - Young Enterprise Scheme
Teacher in Charge: Ms K Burling
History
History helps ākonga to develop their understanding about the world we live in today, by engaging with the people, places and events of the past. Ākonga will learn about New Zealand and world history, in order to develop an understanding of the diverse society that we live in.
At Level 1, ākonga gain an introduction to historical skills and thinking. We will explore the Dawn Raids that impacted our nation during the 1970s and 80s. We will also develop our understanding of social and political movements, through learning about Germany in World War II. We will investigate the rise of Hitler and the Nazis and the impact that this had on German society.
Ākonga will also choose an aspect of New Zealand history to research. Through this process they will develop skills in research and evaluating sources, which are essential in many subject areas.
Through studying history, ākonga gain skills that are useful throughout life. These include research techniques, understanding varied sources of information as well as how to articulate their ideas and make them clear to others. They learn how to ask and answer questions, evaluate evidence, and understand different perspectives.
Cost and Materials: $225 approximately for multi-day field trip with Geography and Business Studies (optional)
Entry Guidelines: No entry requirements
Leads to: Level 2 History. History is a universal qualification.
Teacher in Charge: Mr S Robinson
Geography
Geography is the fascinating study of the relationship between people and their environments. Those who study Geography are better prepared to understand topics impacting our planet today. Field trips are an important part of Geography; they allow us to explore the use of space and the place in which we live.
We need geographic knowledge to better understand how humans have interacted with their environment over time; how geography has impacted settlement and population; Kaitakitanga and how geographic factors influence climate, culture, the economy, and world events. A geographic perspective enables us to analyse the past and present and to understand how to prepare for an environmentally uncertain future. If you are fascinated by the natural environment and have a genuine interest in the world around you, Geography is the subject for you.
Cost and Materials: $225 approximately for multi-day field trip with History and Business Studies (optional)
Entry Guidelines: No entry requirements
Leads to: Level 2 Geography. Geography is a universal qualification.
Teacher in Charge: Mrs S Mills
LEVEL 2
Business Studies - Young Enterprise
This course will focus on your participation in the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) - a regional and national business competition encouraging entrepreneurship and application of business knowledge. Based on experiential learning, ākonga will form a business and plan and create a product to take to market. This course develops a range of business skills from collaboration and planning to design and innovation. Developed products will be marketed and sold as part of the Young Enterprise Scheme competition – with an opportunity to sell at the Hastings Farmers Market during Term 3.
Participation in YES opens opportunities to apply for funding, win prizes and apply for business competitions such as BizJap and Entrepreneurs in Action (weekend competitions in Wellington with other young entrepreneurs around the country).
Specific skills gained in Business - Young Enterprise:
Entrepreneurship
Leadership
Marketing and product surveys
The product design and development process
Public speaking and communication skills
Building your own brand and products
Written research and report writing
Planning
Reflecting
Cost and Materials: Students will need start-up capital for their business venture
Entry Guidelines: No entry requirements
Leads to: Level 3 Business and Technology courses
Teachers in Charge: Ms K Burling
Geography
Geography is a course for those who wish to understand the complex world that we live in. Akōnga will learn about the relationships and connections between people and their natural environments; contexts such as the Amazon Basin, India, Pacific Islands, NZ and cultural environments such as Chicago, New York and Auckland. Geography teaches you how to interpret a variety of information and data. There is a focus on both local and global issues such as disparities in populations, spread of tropical diseases. In Geography students can develop research and observation skills and it gives ākonga the ability to take action and solve problems. Geography focuses on learning inside and outside the classroom and there is no better way to learn about the world you live in by going and exploring it!
Cost and Materials: $225 approximately for multi-day field trip (optional)
Entry Guidelines: Literacy and Numeracy-rich subjects at Level 1 or HOD permission
Leads to: Level 3 Geography and tertiary study, careers in Engineering, Environmental Scientist, Oceanography, Policy Adviser, Town Planning, Zoologist, Ecologist, Demographer, Pilot, Armed Forces, Cartography, GIS Analyst, Education, Law, Tourist Operator, Tourism and Hospitality, Outdoor Education Instructors
Teacher in Charge: Mrs S Mills
History
This Level 2 course will help students to develop their understanding of the history of our world. We will explore important modern events including the Vietnam War. Ākonga will gain an understanding of why the Vietnam War occurred and its significance to New Zealand and the international community. We will explore the road to independence for Vietnam, how this conflict led to an awakening of the protest movement in New Zealand and the impact of the war on both veterans and civilians.
Ākonga will learn historical skills such as how to accurately interpret sources, assessing sources for reliability, developing judgments and structured arguments in their written work.
Cost and Materials: $225 approximately for multi-day field trip with Geography and Business Studies (optional)
Entry Guidelines: No entry requirements, however Level 1 History would be an advantage
Leads to: Level 3 History. History is useful for careers in… media and television, historical research, journalism, teaching, public relations, government and social work, law, museums, art curation, human resources, foreign affairs, libraries, archives and records management, and more...
Teacher in Charge: Mr S Robinson
Psychology
What Influences Our Behaviour?
Psychology is the scientific study of the mind: how it works, and how it might affect behaviour. Through the lens of Psychology you will better understand the factors that influence your own and others’ behaviour in different situations.
This year you will study:
- The underlying theories of Psychology – Biological, behavioural and cognitive approaches
- Media Psychology – Approaches to explain behaviour – Celebrity and addiction
- Abnormality/normality – Why do we obey authority?
- Clinical and Health Psychology – A study of stress and health theories
Entry Guidelines: Level 1 Literacy/Numeracy-rich subject an advantage
Leads to: Tertiary study, Social Worker, Counsellor, Police, Teacher, Life Coach, Market Researcher, Mediator, Policy Advisor, Law, Psychotherapist, Psychology
Teacher in Charge: Mr S Gardner, Mrs S Mills
LEVEL 3
Business Studies
Level 3 Business is a broad-based business course that seeks to view organisations from a systems perspective. Ākonga will have the opportunity to engage in learning across a variety of key business operations at global level. There will be the opportunity for ākonga to co-develop their learning programme based on areas of class interest and may include participation in the Young Enterprise Scheme.
Areas of learning could include:
Creating an innovative product and taking it to market
Human resource management and the psychology of organisations
Value chain analysis in agribusiness
Tikanga in organisations
Business strategies
Systems theory
Developing a marketing plan
Intellectual Property
Quality
Entry Guidelines: Literacy and Numeracy-rich subjects at Level 2 or HOD permission
Leads to: Further study, Business, Commerce, Systems Analysis, Management, Law, Marketing, Innovation, Human Resource Management
Teacher in Charge: Ms K Burling
UE Approved
Psychology
What are the fundamental tenets of human behaviour? This course seeks to address essential elements in human behaviour and to understand our relationship with society. Ākonga will be challenged to understand a range of behavioural models and apply these to real situations. Controversial research and the implications of socially sensitive research are examined in detail as well as internal assessments looking at significant bodies of research as well as an investigation into a field of Psychology that interests you. Students will be challenged to develop their research and report writing skills to a high standard.
Entry Guidelines: Literacy/Numeracy-rich subjects at Level 2, HOD discretion
Leads to: Further study; a range of public- and private-sector careers, including accountancy, actuarial science, advertising, banking, e-commerce, economics, financial analysis, human resource management, international business, management consulting, marketing, public policy, software development, tourism management, law
Teacher in Charge: Mrs S Mills
UE Approved
Geography
Geography is a course for those who wish to understand the complex world that we live in. Students will learn about the relationships and connections between people and their natural and cultural environments. Geography teaches you how to interpret a variety of information and data. There is a focus on both local and global issues, such as human trafficking, study of tourism development in Rotorua or Hawaii, which develops research and observation skills and gives students the ability to take action and solve problems. Geography focuses on learning inside and outside the classroom and there is no better way to learn about the world you live in by going and exploring it!
Cost and Materials: $225 approximately for multi-day field trip to Rotorua (optional)
Entry Guidelines: Literacy and Numeracy-rich subjects at Level 2, HOD discretion
Leads to: Universal qualification that leads to all tertiary study
Teacher in Charge: Mrs S Mills
UE Approved
History
This Level 3 course focuses on further developing skills and understanding from previous years. You will cover a combination of New Zealand and world history, developing your understanding of different historical events and their significance to our society.
Through study of the New Zealand Wars in the 19th century, you will explore the origins of conflict and inequalities that still impact on our society today. You will choose a significant event to conduct independent research on and present your findings. You will also study the global trend of anti-semitism, from its theological origins around the 2nd century AD, through to how it resulted in the Holocaust during World War 2.
As you progress through the year, you will learn skills that are useful in all aspects of tertiary study, such as how to accurately interpret sources, assess sources for reliability, understand historical perspectives, and develop judgments and structured arguments in your written work.
Entry Guidelines: No entry requirements, however Level 2 History would be an advantage
Leads to: Tertiary study
Teacher in Charge: Mr S Robinson
UE Approved
FUTURE CAREERS
Cartographer, Surveyor, Environmental Consultant, Geographical Information Systems Officer, International Aid/Development Worker, Landscape Architect, Market Researcher, Transport Planner, Heritage Manager, Conservation Officer, Museum Education, Museum/Gallery Curator, Historian, Author, Academic Librarian, Archaeologist, Archivist, Broadcast Journalist, Politician’s Assistant, Curator, Policy Analyst, Librarian, Social Researcher, Historian, Human Resource Advisor, Secondary School Teacher, Banking, Business, Consultancy, Economic and Financial Areas, Entrepreneurship, Industry, Insurance, The Legal System, Management, Marketing, Property, Share-broking, Tourism Operators, Travel Agencies, Airlines, Airport, Ferries and Cruise Ships, Hotels, Resorts, Flight Attendants (Cabin Crew), Tour Guides, Conferencing and Events, Marine Biology, Voyaging, Tourism, Science, Superyacht crew, Cruise ships, Skipper, Fishing, Conservation, Waterways, Environmental work, Health and Safety, Outdoor Education Instructor, Documentation of stories, Cultural work