EDF4253 - Humanities and social sciences education in the primary and secondary years - 2017

This unit examines how school students can learn to understand the world through the humanities and social sciences (geography, history, economics, and civics and citizenship education), using single-disciplinary, multi-disciplinary or integrated lenses. Students explore how the humanities and social sciences (HASS) are represented in national and local curriculum and how the learning area is taught in various ways throughout the primary and secondary years. They engage with theoretical, philosophical, pedagogical viewpoints and assessment strategies that address issues deriving from the relevant curriculum frameworks, including the cross-curriculum priorities. Students also learn and develop the skills of lesson planning and implementation of curriculum in the learning area through single-disciplinary and/or integrated studies, using inquiry methodology.

Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. understand how students learn and develop knowledge, skills and understandings in the humanities and social sciences (HASS)
2. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the comparative concepts, content, skills and diversity of teaching strategies relevant to the humanities and social sciences
3. develop appropriate strategies and techniques for teaching humanities and social sciences from Foundation to Year 12
4. devise, adapt, interpret and use courses and units in the humanities and social sciences, using single-disciplinary and integrated disciplinary approaches, a range of resources and a diversity of resource providers
5. understand how the three cross-curriculum priorities in the Australian Curriculum can be utilised in the design and teaching of humanities and social sciences curriculum and assessment
6. develop classroom practice that engages school students in active and inquiry-based learning, so that they may participate in and understand their local, regional and global communities.

Designing fieldwork in HASS (2000 words equivalent, 50%)

Designing a unit of work in HASS (2000 words equivalent, 50%)

Minimum total expected workload equals 144 hours per semester comprising:

1. Contact hours for on-campus students:
   • 2-3 contact hours per week
2. Additional requirements
   • independent study to make up the minimum required hours per week

See also Unit timetable information

Primary and secondary education

Primary and secondary inclusive education

Primary and secondary health and physical education