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Overview:
The Social Science Department at Rockhampton State High School encourages young people to be active participants in their world through a range of subject offerings. The subject choices offer students the opportunity to reflect on the democratic process, social justice, economic and ecological sustainability to make decisions about issues related to societies and environments.
Subject Offerings:
All students in year 8 complete a compulsory unit of a Study of Society and Environment (SOSE) subject and then must complete a minimum of two other semester units by the end of year 10. Popular choices have been The Medievals and Enviro-Sleuths in year 9 and Natural Hazards in year 10.
Year 8 Compulsory Sose Unit
Students learn about:
- “What is Rocky High?” – history, facilities and traditions of RSHS
- Our Local Area – history, facilities, industries and employers in our local area
- Traditional Aboriginal Society in Australia – weapons, tools and food sources, beliefs and differences
- Mapping and navigation
- The ancient world – cultures and customs of two ancient civilisations like Egypt, Rome, Greece or China
- Our Living Earth – landforms and environmental issues
Year 9 – The Medievals (History focus)
This unit of study investigates the world of the Middle Ages, the time between the ancient world of the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans and our modern world.
- medieval society – peasants to royalty
- knights, castles and sieges
- heraldry, weaponry, armour and defence
- punishments, law and order
- illness, plagues and medicine
- religion, lifestyle and customs
- The Renaissance Era
- Native American Indians
- Aztecs, Mayans and Incas
Year 9 – Enviro-Sleuths (Geography focus)
Many of us don’t realise how threatened a lot of animals and plant species are in Australia and around the world. During this unit students will investigate the impact of poor management of the environment. This will involve learning about how countries, governments, organizations and individuals are trying to improve the situation and restore habitats.
Students learn about
- Wildlife and World Heritage
- Feral Animals, threatened and introduced species
- ecosystems and habitats
- protection and restoration
- Antarctica – resources, issues and humans impact
- Koalas – “No Tree, No Me”
Year 10 – Natural Hazards (Geography Focus)
This unit investigates the countries of the South East Asia region, including the geography and history of some of these countries. A focus for this unit will be the study of hazards which impact on the economy of countries. These hazards include natural hazards such as bushfires, droughts, floods, cyclones, volcanoes and earthquakes.
Students learn about
- Hazards and Disasters
- Weather and cyclones
- Volcanoes, Earthquakes and Tsunami
- Bushfires and Floods
- Antarctica and Global Warming
Year 10 – Your Country Needs You – Australians At War (History Focus)
This unit centres around the timeline of Australia’s involvement in world and regional conflicts. It answers the focus questions which are what, where, why, how and when.
Students learn about:
- Australian History
- World Wars I and II
- Other Wars - Boer War
- Great Depression
- Vietnam, Korea and Iraq
The Senior School at Rockhampton State High School enables students in years 11 and 12 to continue their Social Science interests offering the following Queensland Studies Authority subjects;
Modern or Ancient History
Studying history can help us live more effectively as global citizens. To live purposefully, ethically and happily with others, we must be able to make wise decisions. Studying history can help us develop the knowledge, skills and values needed to make those decisions. Through the study of history, we can understand why our modern world is the way it is.
Geography
Geography aims to develop an understanding of the questions, issues and problems arising from human perceptions and use of the Earths resources. Students will develop a concern for the sustainability of the environment and quality of human life. The course is organised around the themes: Managing the Environment and People and Development.
Tourism Studies
The tourism industry is one of Australia’s fastest growing industries and has assumed importance as a source of expanding employment opportunities. Tourism Studies has been designed to support the needs of entrants into the Tourism Industry, to provide an introduction to Tourism and to develop personal and interpersonal skills that underpin employment in the Tourism Industry. Students will study Global Tourism, The Nature of Tourism, Tourism Information and Tourism as a Business.
Staff:
The Social Science Staff bring to their subject area a valuable mix of experience and youthful enthusiasm. Staff also have the opportunity to attend Queensland Studies Authority workshops to increase their skills and subject knowledge. Between them the Social Science staff possesses a wealth of knowledge combined with high expectations for their students. Parents should have a high degree of confidence in the teaching staff and content they teach.
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