You will learn to become critical of the entertainment arts and the liberties artists take within films.  You will question, research and check if what we view for entertainment purposes as “true stories” are actually true.  You will examine why there may be different interpretations of literary films or historical events and real people.  Whose stories are being told?  Whose are missed, or changed, and why?

• All Humanities courses will develop both English and Social Science skills through expanding vocabulary and learning strategies to make meaning through reading, viewing, writing, and speaking. 

• Learn to be a critical consumer of the entertainment media.

• Develop research, analytical skills as you compare “facts” with “conspiracies or interpretations.”

• Work both individually and collaboratively to read texts and construct meanings from them

• Develop critical thinking and research skills used in all senior courses.

• Use your creativity to develop visual and oral texts and presentations

• Communication

• Critical Thinking

• Creativity

• Extend your vocabulary, reading comprehension and writing skills 

• You may be introduced to film techniques and analyses, or responses to texts

• Prepare to sit the NCEA Literacy Corequisite Unit Standards.

• Investigate Famous Films: Explore movies like Titanic and Remember the Titans to see how true their stories really are.

• Choose a favourite historical or literary-based film that interests you and dive deep into researching its accuracy or analysing the choices of actors and directors as they re-imagine a story you have read.

• Compare and critique different film versions of a text.  Learn to write your own critical reviews and editorials (opinion pieces).

• Uncover Conspiracy Theories: Learn about famous conspiracy theories and understand what makes people believe them.

• Learn to analyse how and why directors or actors make particular choices when they are creating films.

• Stories and contexts chosen may connect to migration and wai themes, but this will depend on student interest.

This course leads to senior subjects such as English, Social Sciences, Media Studies, Drama, History, Geography, Classical Studies, Psychology, Legal Studies, Business Studies and others.

Ākonga are encouraged to be curious and explore their understanding of identity, the world, belonging, and connection. In doing so, they explore a wide range of perspectives and draw upon different bodies of knowledge. This helps ākonga learn in other contexts and sets them up to be life-long learners.

The knowledge, skills, and values ākonga develop through English and Social Sciences support them to participate in social, cultural, political, and economic life, and prepare them for a variety of possible career pathways beyond school.  

English Career Pathways 

Social Sciences Career Pathways

• 1 B8 exercise book

• 1 document wallet

• Pencil, pen, highlighter, eraser - to stay in class in their document wallet

• Personal headphones 

• Personal Chromebook and charger

At times - other coloured pencils, felts, glue sticks, or scissors may be needed. These can be kept at home until needed.

Texts supplied by the Humanities Faculty.