Social Sciences
You can choose a maximum of 6 semesters of Social Sciences.
Semester Courses
CLASSICAL STUDIES: Comparative religions and mythologies
CODE: 11CLA
COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this course, ākonga will be comparing and contrasting mythologies across cultures and time. As well as ancient Greek and Roman mythologies, we will be incorporating Babylonian, Egyptian, Old Testament, Norse, Mayan/Aztec, Māori and Pasifika religions. You will then choose a mythology/religion you are interested in to research further. Ākonga will gain an appreciation for the literary, artistic, historical, societal, philosophical, and religious content and concepts from the classical and historical world.
COURSE CONTRIBUTION: Nil
NEXT STEP: Any Social Science subjects in Year 12.
COMMERCE: Economics and Marketing
CODE: 11COM
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Students will obtain a good understanding of key economic and marketing concepts and models, (including Māori business concepts) and how businesses, consumers and the Government make decisions and interact in the market place. The main topics are:
values and economic decision making
demand and supply and the operation of markets
using economic models and a Māori perspective to analyse a contemporary economic issue eg inequity in the labour market , unequal wealth distribution, high cost of living, economic sustainability
4 P's of marketing (Product, Price, Placement and Promotion)
Students will complete a case study of a local business that applies Māori business values in their decision making and marketing, which may include a field trip, and complete a group marketing presentation/pitch based on a student chosen topic
COURSE CONTRIBUTION: Payment for field trip (cost TBC)
NEXT STEP: Economics and Business 2ECO, Financial Skills Semester Course 2FIN
COMMERCE: Accounting and Market Day
CODE: 11CAM
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Students will gain experience in planning and running a small cash based business and develop useful financial planning and accounting processing skills. The main topics are:
financial management, budgeting and planning
processing cash transactions for a small business
preparing and carrying out a market day
Students will extensively use google sheets for the accounting section and will work in groups to plan and carry out a market day at Newlands Intermediate.
COURSE CONTRIBUTION: Banqer Subscription and Students will need to make a small financial contribution to set up their market day business
NEXT STEP: Economics and Business 2ECO, Accounting Semester Courses 2ACA and 2ACB, Financial Skills Semester Course 2FIN
GEOGRAPHY: Natural Disasters
CODE: 11GED
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course delves into the geographical formation of Wellington. If you were interested in the Natural Disasters unit in Social Studies, then you will enjoy further learning about:
Māori creation story of Te Whanganui-a-Tara
Tectonic Plate movement
There will be a field trip to Wellington Earthquake sites. Ākonga will use mapping software to create Wellington earthquake risk maps and will research a natural disaster of their own choosing.
COURSE CONTRIBUTION: Payment for field trip (Approximately $35)
NEXT STEP: Any Social Science subjects in Year 12
GEOGRAPHY: The Art of Crime - Contested Spaces
CODE: 11GEC
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Students will investigate the impact of Graffiti in our community. We will look at the history of graffiti (protest, pop art culture, geography of crime). They will contrast graffiti as a geography of crime vs urban art space. Students will learn to use Arcgis quick capture to identify the location of graffiti (what is where), inquire into the factors influencing that distribution (why there?) and will report on the positive and negative impact of graffiti within communities (Why care?). The course allows students to explore, interpret and analyse an environment using data.
COURSE CONTRIBUTION: Payment for field trip (Approximately $35)
NEXT STEP: Any Social Science subjects in Year 12
HISTORY: Atomic Age
CODE: 11HIA
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will explore the dawn of the atomic age and its consequences on both a national and international stage. This will include the creation and use of nuclear weapons during WW2, testing of nuclear weapons in the Pacific and the use of nuclear energy. The course examines big questions such as:
What were the consequences of New Zealand’s decision to go nuclear-free?
How have nations in the Pacific responded to the testing of nuclear weapons?
Should nuclear energy be used in light of the Chernobyl & Fukushima disasters?
How has the Russian invasion of Ukraine impacted European approaches to energy?
COURSE CONTRIBUTION: Nil
NEXT STEP: Any Social Science subjects in Year 12
HISTORY: Protests and Uprisings
CODE: 11HIP
COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this course students will learn about protests and uprisings that have significantly changed society. We will explore issues of slavery in Ancient Rome and the uprising led by Spartacus. This will be contrasted with the examination of apartheid South Africa and the Springbok Rugby Tour protests in New Zealand. These two topics will provide a platform for students to then explore a protest or uprising of their interest. Throughout the course, students will have the opportunity to question the rights of individuals and the need to protect these rights in the face of adversity.
COURSE CONTRIBUTION: Nil
NEXT STEP: Any Social Science subjects in Year 12
PSYCHOLOGY: Forensic psychology
CODE: 11PSF
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course gives an in-depth look into crime and the theories that underpin forensic psychology, such as criminal profiling. Ākonga will study case studies from Aotearoa and internationally, examining the potential different reasons for why crimes are committed. The focus will then shift to the criminal justice system and how sentencing works.
COURSE CONTRIBUTION: Nil
NEXT STEP: Any Social Science subjects in Year 12
PSYCHOLOGY: Psychological Experiments
CODE: 11PSE
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is an introduction to experiments and ethics in psychology. Students will look at the various methods used to carry out psychological research. We will look at past experiments and how they have or have not upheld ethical guidelines. We will assess this through both the NZ Code of Ethics and a Te Tiriti o Waitangi-based ethical framework. Students will plan and carry out their own experiments in the second half of this course.
COURSE CONTRIBUTION: Nil
NEXT STEP: Any Social Science subjects in Year 12
RELIGIOUS STUDIES: Religious Ethics
CODE: 11REL
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will provide students with a foundational understanding of religious diversity in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally. Students will explore various religious and spiritual traditions and their influence on how individuals and communities address contemporary issues. The course will emphasise contemporary ethical issues from a multi-religious perspective, using diverse case studies to investigate the religious ethical considerations involved.
COURSE CONTRIBUTION: Nil
NEXT STEP: Any social science subjects in Year 12
