Humanities at Year 7 integrates the disciplines of History, Geography, Civics & Citizenship, and Economics & Business. It is a core subject with a strong emphasis on discipline-based literacy. Students are explicitly taught to read and analyse a range of source types, annotate and summarise information, take notes, and use evidence to form analysis and judgements.
History
In Year 7 History, students study:
Ancient Australia – Connection to Country, Dreaming stories, environmental changes over Deep Time, and cultural continuity.
Ancient Egypt – Geography of the Nile, religion, leadership, daily life, and significant achievements.
Ancient China and India – Key features of ancient civilisations in Asia, cultural achievements, and enduring legacies.
The study of the ancient world focuses on applying the historical concepts of sequencing chronology, using historical sources as evidence, identifying continuity and change, analysing cause and effect, and determining historical significance. Students explore the social, economic, religious, and political dimensions of the ancient past.
Key Inquiry Questions:
How do we know about the ancient past?
Why and where did the earliest societies develop?
What emerged as the defining characteristics of ancient societies?
Geography
The Year 7 Geography curriculum develops understanding of the concepts of space, place, environment, interconnection, and change.
Depth studies:
Geographical Skills – Using tools such as BOLTSS mapping, latitude/longitude, and the SHEEPT framework.
Place and Liveability – Factors influencing the quality of life in places and how these change over time.
Water in the World – The water cycle, environmental and cultural value of water, climate change impacts, scarcity, and hazard management.
Key Inquiry Questions:
How are people’s perceptions of places and environments influenced by their reliance on them?
How do the interconnections between places, people, and environments affect the lives of people?
Civics & Citizenship
Through the "What is Fair? Exploring Power, Freedom, and Justice" unit, students investigate:
The nature of democracy and Australia’s political and legal systems.
Rights, responsibilities, and freedoms of citizens.
How laws are made and enforced.
The role of political parties, independents, and the Constitution.
Key Inquiry Questions:
What is democracy?
What are the roles and responsibilities of the different levels of government in Australia?
How are laws developed and enforced in Australia?
Economics & Business
In "From Dirt to Dollars: Design a Business Complex", students explore:
Economic reasoning, scarcity, and opportunity cost.
Business structures and responding to market opportunities.
Entrepreneurial thinking, risk management, and innovation.
Consumer rights, financial literacy, and budgeting.
Key Inquiry Questions:
How does entrepreneurial behaviour contribute to a successful business?
Why is personal, organisational, and financial planning for the future important for both consumers and businesses?
Formal assessment tasks across the year include:
Short-Answer Response (History/Geography)
Research Reports (History)
Liveability Projects (Geography)
Entrepreneurial Business Plans (Economics & Business)
Analytical Essay (Civics & Citizenship/History)
For more detailed information, please click on the link/s below:
Oxford Big Ideas: Humanities 7 (Vic Curriculum) – Digital eBook
Parliamentary Education Office resources (Civics)
Geospatial tools – Google Earth, BOM Climate Data