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The central goal of Society and Culture Stage 6 is the development of social and cultural literacy and a clear understanding of the interaction of persons, societies, cultures, environments and time. The influence of other aspects of societies and cultures – including power, authority, identity, gender, technologies and globalisation – is also central to the course.
Society and Culture draws on cross-disciplinary concepts and social research methods from anthropology; communication; cultural and media studies; philosophy; social psychology; and sociology.
Society and Culture has direct relevance to the immediate needs of students and to their future lives by enabling them to develop understanding of:
themselves
their own society and culture
the societies and cultures of others.
Students are provided with essential concepts, skills, competencies and knowledge to encourage a process of independent thinking that can be used to explain patterns of behaviour, solve problems, and engage in and actively contribute to all levels of society.
Society and Culture is a conceptually based course that promotes students' awareness of the cultural continuities and changes within societies and cultures. It provides them with skills to critically analyse social theories and complementary and contrasting viewpoints about people, societies and cultures. Society and Culture promotes an awareness of individuals, groups and institutions and facilitates intercultural understanding and communication.
Society and Culture encourages students to manage their own learning, including opportunities to experience working within teams. In allowing students to study in areas of direct relevance to their lives, Society and Culture contributes greatly to the promotion of lifelong learning, providing opportunities for students to acquire a range of skills to support such learning.
The study of Society and Culture prepares students for adult life by developing knowledge, understanding, skills and other qualities associated with effective citizenship at local, national, regional and global levels. In so doing, it forms a basis for moving towards a more just society through positive participation in community life and attaining social and cultural literacy.
Society & Culture.mp4
Course Outline
Course Outline
Preliminary course:
The Social and Cultural World: The interactions between persons and groups within societies
Personal and Social Identity: Socialisation and the development of personal and social identity in a variety of social and cultural settings
Intercultural Communication: How people in different social, cultural and environmental settings behave, communicate and perceive the world around them
HSC course:
Core
Social and Cultural Continuity and Change: The nature of social and cultural continuity and change as well as application of research methods and social theory to a selected country study
The Personal Interest Project (PIP): An individual research project
Depth Studies
TWO to be chosen from:
Popular Culture: The interconnection between popular culture, society and the individual
Belief Systems and Ideologies: The relationship of belief systems and ideologies to culture and identity
Social Inclusion and Exclusion: The nature of social inclusion and exclusion as well as implications for individuals and groups in societies and cultures
Social Conformity and Nonconformity: The nature of conformity and nonconformity and its influences on the formation of peoples’ attitudes and behaviours.
Course Requirements
Course Requirements
Completion of the Personal Interest Project.
Course Description
Course Description
Society and Culture develops social and cultural literacy and a clear understanding of the interactions of persons, society, culture, environment and time, and how these shape human behaviour. The course draws on cross-disciplinary concepts and social research methods, and students undertake research in an area of particular interest to them. The research findings are presented for external assessment in the Personal Interest Project (PIP).
Co-requisites, Prerequisites and Materials
Co-requisites, Prerequisites and Materials
Materials
Society & Culture: Preliminary and HSC by Thompson ET AL.
FAQs
FAQs
Why study Society and Culture?
The course provides students with opportunities to develop social and cultural literacy and understand how interactions shape human behaviour (NESA). There are a lot of opportunities to think critically about different topics, and learn how to conduct ethical research. It is a great subject for exploring different ideas and perspectives.
You can read more about the course here.
What skills do I need to be successful in Society and Culture?
You will participate in a lot of activities that involve discussion, reading, and writing. Critical thinking is a skill that you will develop over the course, as well as research skills using different methods. You will develop confidence in expressing your ideas and sharing your perspective with others, verbally and in written form.
What will I study in Society and Culture?
In Year 11, you will learn about interactions between persons and groups within societies, impacts of socialisation and the development of personal and social identity, and how people in different social, cultural and environmental settings behave, communicate and perceive the world around them.
In Year 12, you will learn about the nature of social and cultural continuity and change, social theory, research methods, interconnections between popular culture, society and the individual, and belief systems and ideologies.
In 2022, the focus studies included Afghanistan and gender (social and cultural continuity and change), music and rock and roll (popular culture), and feminism (belief systems and ideologies).
There is a major work in Year 12.
What is the major work?
In Year 12, all students are required to complete a Personal Interest Project (PIP). The PIP is worth 40% of the HSC mark (the exam is worth 60%). You can read more about the PIP here.
The PIP involves students designing and conducting a research project based on their personal interests, linked to the Society and Culture course. The final submission is approximately 5000 words (excluding the annotated bibliography and appendix).
You can view examples of PIPs here.
In Year 11, you will complete a mini version of the major work required in Year 12.
Who should I contact for more information?
Ms Brown
From the students ...
From the students ...
“When I first picked Society and Culture, I wasn't too sure what it would be about as there wasn't any class similar to it. Although, the more I learned about the subject I came to realise that I could relate to each and every one of the topics and was able to become involved and immersed in the learning of the content. It is a subject that is focused on the world, both in the past and present, and trends within these times. I love that this subject is able to educate me on how to be more socially and culturally literate, along with becoming conscientious and respectful of others who may not be a part of my background.” - Deanna (Yr 12)
“Getting a Band 4 in this subject also allows you to do many of the University of Western Sydney's bachelor of Arts, social studies and history courses. regardless of your ATAR score and what you got in your other subjects.” - Caitlin (Yr 12)
“Society and Culture is all about exploring and analysing the interactions and actions of people, societies, cultures and environment. We learn how social, political, historical, environmental, economic and cultural factors affect and have impact on different societies and how they all function and communicate compared to everyone else. Society and culture is a good two unit subject to choose because it is unique compared to other subjects and it's a fresh alternative to the boring Maths, Religion, Science we have been doing for our school life. You can't be wrong in Society and Culture which is a win-win; there are only points of view with evidence and information backing you up. There is also a major work which is really fun and interesting to complete throughout the year which means there are only 2 hour exams instead of 3 hour ones for all other subjects.” - Seth (Yr 12)
"Studying society and culture allows you to become more aware of the world around you. Being in a class where you're learning about things that impact you and your life is so interesting and definitely invaluable for your future. If you enjoy history or any humanities subjects I would definitely recommend society and culture!" - Tayla (Yr 12 )
References:The Rational and Course Outline are from the Syllabus: www.educationstandards.nsw.edu.au
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