Social Influence and Innovation is a dynamic, interdisciplinary subject designed to challenge conventional thinking to encourage students to make meaningful contributions to the world around them. Centred on the key capabilities of Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical Understanding, and Personal and Social Capability, this subject empowers students to question deeply, think flexibly, and create innovatively in response to complex, real-world problems to become reflective, responsible, and visionary global citizens.
In this subject, students will explore “big ideas” and navigate ambiguous, open-ended challenges that require sophisticated thinking strategies. They will be encouraged to question assumptions, test arguments, detect bias, and make logical connections across disciplines Students will engage in advanced inquiry-based projects that explore real-world issues, ethical dilemmas, and innovative solutions across disciplines such as science, health, humanities and social justice.
Please note:
This subject is an extension opportunity, and it is designed for students who:
Have demonstrated a consistently high level of engagement, organisation and cooperation in their learning
Have demonstrated their ability to engage in higher-order thinking
Have demonstrated a passion for tackling complex challenges
Are able to acquire and develop new knowledge and skills rapidly
Are able to drive their own learning in an autonomous, inquiry driven classroom.
Students will explore the ethical dimensions of real-world issues to enhance their ability to evaluate and think critically to develop possible solutions or improvements.
Students investigate the connection and distinctions between ethical concepts such as justice, rights and responsibilities and explore how ethical principles can be applied in everyday and global contexts, including consideration of diverse perspectives.
The subject will foster flexible, creative, and collaborative thinking across disciplines to develop visionary solutions to contemporary challenges. Students will challenge assumptions and test innovative solutions and use analogies and evidence to justify decisions and conclusions.
Students will develop personal integrity, emotional intelligence, and leadership skills through reflective practice and teamwork. Students will explore the College learner aspirations to reflect on self-awareness to set personal goals and participate in collaborative tasks to develop interpersonal skills and reflect on social awareness and to explore how one manages team conflict.
Assessment in this subject may include:
Inquiry and innovation projects
Ethical dilemma analysis and structured decision-making tasks
Socratic seminars, philosophical essays or argument maps
Reflective journals and peer feedback activities
Creative problem-solving challenges and design proposals