The Pacific

Course Description

This elective is a multi-disciplinary unit meaning that it includes elements from all four strands of the Humanities: History, Geography, Economics & Business and Civics & Citizenship. Using the Pacific Ocean as a guide students will explore early Polynesian migration and their mighty feats of navigation. Chronologically students will then investigate the early European voyages of the Pacific using the documentary ‘The Pacific in the Wake of Captain Cook’ as a guide. Learn about Cook’s epic voyages of discovery. Investigate what happened when diverse cultures came in contact with each other, and why these voyages are controversial now, even though 250 years have passed.

In addition students will also focus on the islands of the Pacific today exploring the many challenges they face from increased volcanic activity, rising sea levels, the impact of tourism, uncertain economies and the constant need to preserve and maintain unique cultures.

SKILL FOCUS: Claims Testing (Is something true or not?) and Critical Thinking Skills

Links, Learning and Pathways

What will you gain from studying the Humanities? A love of exploring what shapes the world around us that you will draw upon for the rest of your life, whether it be because you travel the world or want to have an understanding of your place in the bigger picture. You’ll develop critical thinking skills that will help you in the senior school and can be used in any occupation including analytical thinking, problem solving, decision making, oral and written communication skills.

Future career paths, that have the Humanities at its core, include being a lawyer, marine biologist, navigator, travel writer, journalist, historian, economist, cartographer, tourism, diplomat, archaeologist and many more.