Smithfield State High School

The main focus of Social Science is to promote knowledge, skills and attitudes which enable students to participate as active and informed citizens in a global society. Students develop skills and processes which help them investigate social, environmental, historical, economic, political and/or cultural issues.

The Year 8 introductory semester is based on the theme Do We Live in a Dangerous Place? The unit concentrates on the dangers involved in living in Far North Queensland by investigating how communities in both the past and present have been able to adapt to living in the region.

In Year 9 students study four units of work: Developing Societies; Hazards and Disasters; Threats to the Environment and Medieval Worlds. The emphasis is on Australia’s relationship with Asia.

Year 10 is seen as an introductory year to senior subjects. Students are given the opportunity to develop specific skills that are required in the various senior social science subjects. An emphasis is put on Australian issues through the study of the history of immigration and the protection of the Australian environment. Australia’s place in the world is studied through environmental issues such as whaling and climate change and through the various conflicts that Australia has been involved in.

Career Planning and Work Experience is incorporated into the course.

Students participate in an excursion every year.

The following subjects are OP subjects offered within the Social Science Department:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies is a very dynamic subject rich in culture & history of Australia and is a very interactive subject. The course is about understanding and appreciating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, moving towards a more united Australia and is suitable for all students to study. Excursions are a vital part of the course.

Geography helps increase our understanding of the character of the earth’s surface, both physical and human. It provides an awareness and understanding of environmental issues and problems and explores a range of issues about the social and environmental features of the world. Excursions are a vital part of the course.

Ancient History provides an insight into how other societies remote in time and place coped with the same sorts of problems that confront us today. The subject shows how contemporary ideas and practices have evolved over time from ancient origins and is full of gory stories.

Modern History helps understand why the modern world is the way it is. The subject teaches you to investigate the process of change and continuity that have shaped today’s world and the roles people have to play in the process. This allows students to be more ready to cope with the present and influence the future.

ECONOMICS – NB: This subject is only offered through Virtual Schooling

Economics increases our understanding of the ways in which different societies use their scarce resources and provides an awareness of the current economic environment in which you live. This helps students to understand individual, business and government economic decision making.

TOURISM is Non-OP Subject

Tourism offers a Certificate II in Tourism (Operations). It provides a range of personal and interpersonal skills and students learn specific knowledge and skills related to further training and possible employment within the industry.