Humanities
Humanities subjects occupy an important place in the curriculum of Bowen State High School. In Years 7-10 all students study Humanities and Social Sciences as part of their core subjects and in Years 11 and 12 students have the option of selecting from four subjects: Legal Studies, Geography, Ancient History (distance education), and Modern History (distance education).
The humanities help us understand others through their languages, histories and cultures. They foster social justice and equality and they reveal how people have tried to make moral, spiritual and intellectual sense of the world. The humanities teach empathy. It is through studying this discipline that students will deal critically and logically with subjective, complex, imperfect information and be taught to weigh evidence sceptically and consider more than one side of every question. Our humanities program builds skills in writing and critical reading, which encourages students to think creatively. The humanities develop informed and critical citizens.
History
In Years 7 – 10, history builds experience in dealing with and assessing various kinds of evidence—the sorts of evidence historians use in shaping the most accurate pictures of the past that they can. Learning how to interpret the role and actions of cultures and civilizations is one kind of evidence that helps form the capacity to distinguish between the objective and the self-serving statements made by present-day political leaders. Learning how to combine the different kinds of evidence of public statements, private records, numerical data and visual materials develops students' ability to make coherent arguments based on a variety of data. This skill can also be applied to information encountered in everyday life.
Historical study, in sum, is crucial to the promotion of the well-informed citizen. It provides factual information about the background of our political institutions and about the values and problems that affect our social well-being. It contributes to our capacity to use evidence, assess interpretations and analyse change and continuities.
Our junior history program follows Australian Curriculum as outlined below:
Geography
In a world of increasing global integration and international mobility, it is critical to the wellbeing and sustainability of the environment and society that young Australians develop a holistic understanding of the world, this is done through geography.
Geography at Bowen State High aims to ensure that students develop:
- a sense of wonder, curiosity and respect about places, people, cultures and environments throughout the world
- a deep geographical knowledge of their own locality, Australia with a focus on embedding Indigenous perspectives, the Asia region and the world
- the ability to think geographically, using geographical concepts
- the capacity to be competent, critical and creative users of geographical inquiry methods and skills
- as informed, responsible and active citizens who can contribute to the development of an environmentally and economically sustainable, and socially just world.
Our junior geography program follows Australian Curriculum as outlined below:
ASDAN
ASDAN is course developed to equip learners to thrive in 21st century education, work and life. The main focus of this programme is to engage students and make learning relevant and transferable. The course is designed to help students gain employability skills and confidence while working on the key skills that are woven through the curriculum such as problem solving, working with others and communication. In ASDAN, students work towards a Bronze and Silver award which includes students completing modules and banking points. Students who achieve a Silver award will bank a QCE point by the end of year 10.
