Social Sciences

Humanities covers four different subjects: Geography, History, Classics, and Tourism.

Geography

Geography attempts to answer many of our social and physical bewilderments by integrating science and human behavioural patterns. Geography tries to make sense of human and environmental interactions for the present and future good of our world.

History

History fires your curiosity and imagination. It invites you to ask, and helps you answer, questions about the world, by engaging with the past and imagining and speculating on possible futures. History presents you with the dilemmas, choices, and beliefs of people in the past, and in doing so connects you with the wider world.

History prepares you for the future.

History equips you with knowledge and skills that are valuable and useful throughout life. These include research
techniques, skills needed to process and analyse varied and complex materials, skills needed to give clear and effective oral and written presentations, and the ability to articulate ideas and make them clear to others. If you are contemplating a career in Law/Politics/Foreign Service/Journalism/Research this subject is essential.

Classical Studies

Classical Studies is the study of the civilisations of Greece and Rome; two societies that are the ‘cradles of Western Civilisation’ and thus have a direct influence on modern New Zealand society. Students will explore how social, political, artistic, and technological aspects of the classical world influenced the lives of ancient Greeks and Romans. They will also explore the links and lasting influences between the ideas and values of ancient Greeks and Romans and other cultures, analysing why they have enduring influence.

Tourism

This subject is designed to introduce students to the tourism industry and to develop skills relevant to a career in tourism.

Students learn about belonging and participating in society through a process of inquiry. This involves learning how societies function and looking at how to be critical, active and responsible citizens through contexts relevant to our students’ lives and interests. Students have multiple opportunities to explore their learning, present their ideas in a variety of ways and participate in social action related events.

Social Studies allows students to increase their knowledge of the world – both current and historical issues, as well as developing a greater understanding of New Zealand society. Students will be challenged to think clearly and critically about how societies work, and to explore different values and viewpoints.

Ui mai koe ki ahau he aha te mea nui o te ao? Māku e kī atu he tangata, he tangata, he tangata!
If you ask me, what is the greatest thing in the world? I will reply; it is people, it is people, it is people.

This is what Social Sciences is about
PEOPLE!
The places they live
The events they have been part of
The decisions they have made; or
are making now, and how they affect
us all
The goal of the New Zealand curriculum is to ensure our students become “Young people who will be confident, connected, actively involved, lifelong learners”.
The JHC Social Sciences programme aims to help our students fulfill this vision and become better-informed, active participants in the local, national and global society they live in.

Social Studies leads onto the following subjects in Years 11-13:
Geography
History
Classical Studies
Tourism
Economics

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The Level 1 course develops an understanding of the physical and man-made environments of some parts of the world and changes taking place in them.

This study should appeal to you if you have enjoyed Social Studies because, again, in Geography the focus is largely on people.

You study the following topics.

• Extreme Natural Events
• Geographic skills

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The topics studied at Year 11 are designed to help you develop a passion for this wonderful subject. They include a mix of
overseas and New Zealand based topics, and will also be used to equip you with the skills and knowledge you will need to
complete the Achievement Standards.

There are three Internal Achievement Standards:

• An historical research topic (4 credits)
• Communication of the historical research topic (4 credits)
• Demonstration of understanding of different perspectives of an historical event (4 credits)

There are two External Achievement Standards:

• An essay describing the causes and consequences of an historical event (4 credits)
• A long answer paper interpreting historical sources (4 credits)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Level 2 Geography extends the ideas developed at Level 1 and provides a foundation for Level 3 studies. Although it is desirable for a student to have completed a Level 1 course, it is quite possible to take Geography for the first time at this level.

Topics covered at this level are:

• Skills
• Natural Landscapes – Mackenzie Basin
• Urban Patterns
• Global Topic
• Contemporary Geographic Issues
• Geographic Research

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The topics studied at Year 12 are predominantly overseas based topics and focus on historical forces that have shaped the world as we know it. The topics will also be used to equip you with the skills and knowledge you will need to complete the Achievement Standards.

There are three Internal Achievement Standards:

• An historical research topic based on primary and secondary sources (4 credits)
• Communication of the historical research topic (5 credits)
• Demonstration of understanding of different perspectives of an historical event (5 credits)

There are two External Achievement Standards:

• An essay examining the causes and consequences of an historical event (5 credits)
• A long answer paper examining historical sources (4 credits)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Topics from the following may be studied:

‘Medea’ by Euripides
Students will study this short play about a woman whose husband leaves her for another woman. It was written over 2,000 years ago, but many of the ideas are still relevant today.

Classical vs Modern
In this internal assessment, students will examine the relationship between modern films or electronic games and stories from classical times.

A Significant Event
In this assessment, students will choose and analyse a significant event of their own choice from classical times, such as the eruption of Mt Vesuvius or the Battle at Thermopylae.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

• NZ tourism industry and process
• History of tourism
• Tourism destinations
• Customer service
• Personal presentation
  Literacy and calculations

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
You do not need to have taken Geography previously. It is, however, preferable to have done so as the course at this level is demanding in terms of content and student time.
The topics studied are:
(i) Cultural Processes – Tourism in Queenstown
(ii) Geographic Skills
There are four internally assessed assignments spread throughout the year.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The topics studied at Year 13 are predominantly overseas based topics and focus on analysis of the social, political and economic aspects of complex historical events and the related historical ideas. The topics will also be used to equip you with the skills and knowledge you will need to complete the Achievement Standards.

There are three Internal Achievement Standards:

• Research analysis of an historical event based on primary evidence (5 credits)
• Communication of the historical research topic (5 credits)
• Analysis of historical perspectives relating to a ‘contested’ event (5 credits)

There are two External Achievement Standards:

• An essay analysing the causes and consequences of an historical event (6 credits)
• A long answer paper analysing historical sources (4 credits)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Topics from the following may be studied: Alexander the Great Alexander was one of the most effective leaders of all time. Students will analyse his leadership and effects on later societies as he conquered vast areas of land.

Roman Art and Architecture
Some of the world’s most memorable architecture was built in the Roman Empire. The features and propaganda behind these buildings will be analysed.

Classical Literature
Students may be given an ancient Greek or Roman piece of literature to examine, identifying the ideas and values of the classical world.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

• NZ tourism industry
• Pacific Tourism
• Public Speaking
• Maori Tourism