Social Sciences

The subject Social Sciences consists of History and Geography. Both History and Geography should be taught and assessed during every term of the school year. Although the two disciplines are kept separate, this curriculum is designed to complement the knowledge (content, skills and concepts) outlined in each.

History

History is the study of change and development in society over time. The study of History enables people to understand and evaluate how past human action has an impact on the present and how it influences the future.

History is about learning how to think about the past, and by implication the present, in a disciplined way. History is a process of enquiry and involves asking questions about the past: What happened? When did it happen? Why did it happen then? It is about how to think analytically about the stories people tell us about the past and how we internalize that information.

Geography

Geography is the study of the human and physical environment. Geography is an integrated discipline that examines both physical and human processes over space and time. Geography helps us to understand our complex world. It offers us a bridge between the human and physical sciences.

There are many branches of Geography. Physical Geography examines natural processes and features, including the atmosphere, landforms and ecosystems. Human Geography is concerned with the activities and impact of people on the earth.

Grade 7

Link to History resources >>

Link to Geography resources >>

Term 1:

• History

  • The kingdom of Mali and the city of Timbuktu 14th century

• Geography

  • Map skills (Focus: Local maps)

Term 2:

• History

  • The Transatlantic slave trade

• Geography

  • Volcanoes, earthquakes, and floods

Term 3:

• History

  • Colonization of the Cape 17th – 18th centuries

• Geography

  • Population growth and change (Focus: World)

Term 4:

• History

  • Co-operation and conflict on the frontiers of the Cape Colony in the early 19th century

• Geography

  • Natural resources and conservation in South Africa

Grade 8

Link to History resources >>

Link to Geography resources >>

Term 1:

• History

  • The Industrial Revolution in Britain and Southern Africa from 1860

• Geography

  • Maps and globes (Focus: Global and local)

Term 2:

• History

  • The Mineral Revolution in South Africa

• Geography

  • Climate regions (Focus: South Africa and world)

Term 3:

• History

  • The scramble for Africa

• Geography

  • Settlement (Africa with a focus on South Africa)

Term 4:

• History

  • World War I (1914 – 1918)

• Geography

  • Transport and trade (Focus: South Africa and the world)

Grade 9

Link to History resources >>

Link to Geography resources >>

Term 1:

• History

  • World War II (1919 - 1945)

• Geography

  • Map skills (Focus: Topographic and orthophoto maps)

Term 2:

• History

  • The Nuclear Age and the Cold War

• Geography

  • Development issues

Term 3:

• History

  • Turning points in modern South African history since 1948

• Geography

  • Surface forces that shape the earth (Physical Geography)

Term 4:

• History

  • Turning points in South African history 1960, 1976 and 1990

• Geography

  • Resource use and sustainability (Focus: World)