Faculty Information

SOCIAL SCIENCE

Social Studies - Course Information

The aim of social studies education is to enable students to participate in a changing society as informed, confident and responsible citizens. To achieve this aim, students need to develop their understanding and knowledge about human society. At Glendowie College, we provide topics that reflect current issues that impact on the lives of the students, and look at the role of people and groups within those current issues.

Year 9
Social Studies and New Zealand
Ancient people and lands
Te Ao O Te Maori
Government
Pasifika

Year 10
Challenges and Crises
Te Tiriti O Waitangi
Asian Studies
Global Issues

Year 11
McDonaldisation
Amnesty International and Human Rights
Population and Change
Genetic Engineering

Social Studies - Assessment

Years 9 and 10
Each of the year 9 and 10 topics has an end of topic test as well as a two hour end of topic exam. The end of topic test has four components;
1. Concepts and key words for understanding
2. Factual recall
3. Skills related to the topic
4. Paragraph or essay writing.

Throughout the year your teacher will also give you assessments for your class that will be selected from a range of activities. This may include making models, clay pots, posters, video assignments, ICT work, publishing, research, clay pot making, collage work, to name some of the possibilities.

Year 11
Formal assessment
1.1 Examine change in society.
1.2 Examine people’s participation in society.
These achievement standards will be assessed in the end of year external exams. Each standard is worth 5 credits. Practise assessment for these achievement standards will take place in the two school exams. Students will have an opportunity to practise these standards in class.
1.3 Conduct a social studies inquiry.
1.4 Examine differing values positions.
1.5 Decide on social action(s) in relation to a social issue.

These achievement standards will be assessed in class, as written assignments, during terms one, two and three. 1.3 is worth 6 credits, and 1.4 and 1.5 are both worth 4 credits each. There will be reassessment opportunities for 1.4 and 1.5 in term four.
Informal Assessment
Each topic studied will have an assessment, in order to gauge student’s learning. Wherever possible, these assessments will mirror the external exam format. These assessments will be completed in class time, and do not count towards NCEA.

Social Studies - Events

If possible, guest speakers will be invited to speak the class to further student understanding and depth of knowledge of a topic.

Any appropriate museum, art gallery or other exhibitions may be attended during the year.