HSIE Electives

Aboriginal Studies is an exciting, engaging and hands-on subject which gives students an opportunity to explore a wide variety of traditional and contemporary aspects of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, their communities and their way of life.

Areas of Study

Aboriginal Identities

In this topic, you will get to explore all the different Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities from around Australia, from Uluru in central Australia to the people who live on Moa Island in the Torres Strait and everywhere in between. We look at how different communities live and the way this contributes to the way that they express themselves.

Aboriginal Autonomy

This is where you will explore the journey of Australia’s First Nations people from 1788 to today. We examine how these Australians have shown resilience throughout the years and emerged to become an integral part of Australia and our international identity.

Options/content we can explore within these areas of study 

• Aboriginal Enterprises and Organisations

• Aboriginal Peoples and the Visual Arts

• Aboriginal Peoples and the Performing Arts

• Aboriginal Peoples and the Media

• Aboriginal Peoples and Oral and Written Expression

• Aboriginal Peoples and Film and Television

• Aboriginal Peoples and Technologies

• Aboriginal Peoples and Sport

• Aboriginal Peoples’ Interaction with Legal and Political Systems

• School-developed Option – we get to choose what we want to do

Assessment Strategies 

Students are offered the opportunity to conduct a wide range of personal projects and assessment strategies with an Aboriginal perspective. It is envisaged that through their investigation and collaborative-based learning, students will develop methods and skills in community consultation, planning research and acquiring, processing and communicating information. 

Some further examples of assessment strategies within Stage 5 Aboriginal Studies are: 

• Source analysis 

• Oral presentation / yarning circle

• Reflective journal

• Creative representation (art, poetry, digital story, performance)

• Investigation

• Community-based task (e.g., local Elder interview, initiative study)

• Timeline or concept map

• Case study (person, place, or event)

• Group project (presentation, film, or exhibition)

• Research project

Commerce provides the knowledge, skills, understanding and values that form the foundation on which young people make sound decisions on consumer, financial, business, legal and employment issues. It develops in students an understanding of commercial and legal processes and competencies for personal financial literacy that enables them to participate in the financial system in an informed way.

Commerce provides for a range of learning styles and experiences that suit the interests and needs of all students. It emphasises the potential and use of information and communication technologies. Students gain greater competence in problem-solving and decision-making by evaluating the range of customer, financial, business, legal and employment strategies. In examining these, they also develop attitudes and values that promote ethical behaviour, social responsibility and a commitment to contribute to a more just and equitable society.

Possible Areas of Study 

Core areas

• The consumer and financial environment 

• The economic environment 

• The business environment 

• The legal and political environment  

• The work environment

Focus areas 

• Our economy 

• Running a business 

• Promoting and selling

• Investing

• Law in action

• Political and community involvement 

• The travel consumer 

• Towards independence 

• School-developed option

Assessment strategies may include:

•  Semester exams

•  Research assignments & projects

•  Peer assessment

Feedback on assessment will be both formal and informal.

The study of Elective History provides opportunities for developing a knowledge and understanding of past societies and historical periods. This unit offers the opportunity to enjoy studying history for its intrinsic interest and as preparation for Stage 6. 

Through a range of thematic and historical studies, students develop an understanding of how historians investigate and construct history. A selection of ancient, medieval and early modern societies are studied in relation to overarching historical themes.

Students study ONE choice from each Topic and at least TWO other choices from any Topic.

Topic 1 - History, Heritage and Archaeology

• Archaeological Sites

• Biography

• Family History

• Film as History

• Heritage and Conservation

• Historical Fiction

• Historical Reconstructions

• History and the Media

• History Website/Online Environments

• Local History

• Museum and/or Archives Studies

• Oral History

Topic 2 - Ancient, Medieval and Modern Societies

• Africa

• The Americas

• Asia

• Australia

• Europe

• The Middle East

• The Pacific

Topic 3 - Thematic Studies

• Continuity and Diversity of Aboriginal Cultue and History

• Children in History

• Crime and Punishment

• Gender in the Past

• Heroes and Villains

• Music through History

• Power and Political Unrest

• Religious and Spiritual Beliefs/Practices

• Slavery

• Sport and Receation History

• War and Peace

• World Myths and Legends

• A School-Developed Study

What will students learn to do?

Students apply an understanding of history and examine the ways in which historical meanings can be constructed through a range of media. Students learn to apply the skills of investigating history and historical events to show an understanding of continuity, change and causation. Students develop research skills and examine different perspectives and interpretations to develop an understanding of a wide variety of viewpoints. Students also learn to construct a logical historical argument supported by relevant evidence and to communicate effectively about the past to different audiences.

Students will develop knowledge and understanding of:

• history and historical inquiry  

• past societies and historical periods.

Students will value and appreciate the following:

• history as a study of human experience  

• the opportunity to develop a lifelong interest in and enthusiasm for history 

•  the nature of history as reflecting differing perspectives and viewpoints  

• the opportunity to contribute to a just society through informed citizenship  

• the contribution of past and present peoples to our shared heritage.

Students will develop skills to:

• undertake the processes of historical inquiry  

• communicate their understanding of history.

Assessment strategies may include:

Students will be assessed based on the following:
●  interviews

●  source analysis

●  written and oral assignments

●  research tasks

●  knowledge tests 

Feedback on assessment will be both formal and informal.