Social Science

Programme Description :

This course aims to introduce students to the basics of History - investigation, perspectives and causes/consequences. It will develop an historical understanding of some major trends and developments and help develop a critical understanding of ourselves as New Zealanders.

Learning Outcomes / Contexts:

The overall theme for Level 1 is “Discontent / Riri”

Students will study Black Civil Rights in the USA. They will analyse the position Black people held in America in the 1950s and understand where that position originated and why there was the need for change. They will investigate ways Black people in America tried to bring about change concentrating on Dr Martin King Luther Jr. and non-violent civil disobedience.

Students will study Revolutions. They will analyse the American Revolution. They will learn why the colonists fought so hard for their independence and also what happened once they had their victory and began to create their new nation. They will investigate the French Revolution. They will analyse the factors that made the French citizens revolt against their King and also what happened to France after the successful revolution including the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Students will study the invasion of Parihaka in 1881. They will reflect on New Zealand’s race relations in the 1800s in particular. Early contact, the musket wars, The Treaty of Waitangi and the New Zealand Land Wars will also be analysed. 

Students will study the 1981 Springbok Tour. They will focus on the origins of the protests, the protests themselves, and the repercussions for New Zealand throughout the 1980s as a result of the tour dividing a nation.

Skills and Capabilities:

Level 1 History focuses on research and writing skills. Students will learn to research from a variety of sources and then use their data appropriately. Students will also improve their writing capabilities through a variety of activities and assessments.

Cross Curriculum Links:

English, Māori, Geography.

Possibly leads to :

Level 2 History.

Opportunities for University study in such courses such as History, Political Studies and Anthropology.

Assessment Opportunities:

All students have the opportunity to demonstrate a range of skills through a variety of internal and external assessments.

Programme Description :

This course aims to develop an understanding of some of the major forces which have shaped the modern world. It will focus on understanding the causes and consequences of past events and provide the opportunity to engage imaginatively into events and empathise with the views of the people involved.

Learning Outcomes / Contexts:

The overall theme for Level 2 is Devastation / Whakangaromanga

Students will study Nazi Germany. They will investigate how Adolf Hitler and his Nazi party came to power in Germany and how they maintained and then extended their control. They will analyse the catastrophic consequences of their unlimited authority such as World War Two and the Holocaust. The rise and fall of the Berlin Wall will also be examined. 

Students will study the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. They will learn about these bombings whilst also debating the controversial decision to use them to end World War Two in the Pacific. 

They will study the Bombing of the Rainbow Warrior. They will learn about the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior in 1985 whilst analysing New Zealand’s nuclear policy throughout the 1950s-1990s.

Students will study the Rwandan Genocide. They will review the origins of the conflict between the Hutu and Tutsi as well as scrutinising the growing hostility between the two ethnicities. They will evaluate the immediate causes of the ‘100 days of slaughter’ and evaluate the repercussions for Rwanda in terms of justice, responsibility and reconciliation.

Skills and Capabilities:

Research - following a research process; assessing secondary sources; gathering and selecting relevant evidence; assessing the usefulness, reliability and limitations of selected evidence.

Analysis - communicating key historical ideas with supporting evidence; considering different perspectives; evaluating the causes and consequences of an historical event.

Cross Curriculum Links:

English, Māori, Geography.

Possibly leads to :

Level 3 History. 

Opportunities for University study in such courses such as History, Political Studies and Anthropology.

Assessment Opportunities:

All students have the opportunity to demonstrate a range of skills through a variety of internal and external assessments. These include writing a report about an event, writing a speech that interprets the perspectives of people or groups, and writing an essay which analyses an historical event.

Programme Description :

This course is designed to recognise the growing maturity of students, and requires them to explore issues with more historical insight than at earlier levels. They will deal with more demanding historical problems and be expected to develop more extended, informed and convincing arguments.

Learning Outcomes / Contexts:

The overall theme for Level 3 is Upheaval / Akaaka

Students will study the Vietnam War. They will investigate the struggle for Vietnamese independence resisting Chinese, French and Japanese occupation. They will analyse the rise of Vietnamese nationalism and learn how Ho Chi Minh became such a prominent figure. They will evaluate why America became involved in the Vietnam War and ultimately why such a powerful nation failed to win the war. The role New Zealand played in the Vietnam War will also be scrutinised. 

Students will study Protest in New Zealand. They will investigate the origins of protest in New Zealand. They will analyse protest movements such as anti-conscription, feminism, the Polynesian Panthers and famous industrial disputes. They will evaluate the success  of these protests.

Students will study Apartheid in South Africa. They will investigate the early history of South Africa  and in particular why attitudes to race relations hardened leading up to 1948. They will analyse how the apartheid system was introduced and consolidated. They will evaluate the different forms of opposition to apartheid and scrutinise the international response to apartheid. South Africa since the early 1990’s will also be explored.

Students will perform an independent study of their choice. In past years a range of historical events have been chosen by students including 9/11, Gallipoli, the My Lai Massacre, the Chernobyl nuclear disaster and the use of chemical weapons in warfare. The choices made by students will provide the opportunity for them to fully investigate the causes and consequences of an event as well as comprehensively analyse it from an historian’s perspective.

Skills and Capabilities:

Research - following a research process; assessing primary and secondary sources; gathering relevant evidence; assessing the usefulness, reliability and limitations of selected evidence

Analysis - communicating key historical ideas; making well-considered judgements of the evidence and conclusions from an historian’s perspective; considering different perspectives; presenting an opinion; evaluating the causes and consequences of an historical event.

Cross Curriculum Links:

English, Māori, Geography.

Possibly leads to :

Opportunities for University study in such courses such as History, Political Studies and Anthropology.

Assessment Opportunities:

All students have the opportunity to demonstrate a range of skills through a variety of internal and external assessments. These include producing a research folder, writing a magazine article, analysing the perspectives of historians on a contentious issue, and writing an essay which analyses an historical event.

Programme Description:

Tourism is one of New Zealand’s largest export earners especially here in Whitianga.

This course focuses on teaching the destination knowledge and tourism industry skills required to work in travel & tourism.

Learning Outcomes/Contexts:

Provides students with an introduction to the tourism industry. The course recognises the knowledge and skills required as a base for further training in the tourism industry, including understanding tourists characteristics and needs, the business of tourism, destination New Zealand, world tourism destinations, and opportunities in tourism. 

There will be opportunities for students to develop their very own tourism venture.

Skills and Capabilities:

Team building, interpersonal skills, customer service and the opportunity to take risks. They will require research skills and the ability to work alongside tourism and business operators and owners.

Cross Curriculum Links:

Business and Enterprise, Mathematics, English, Science.

Possibly leads to:

Level 3 Tourism, as well as a wide range of career choices, from dealing face to face with visitors, hosting tours and leading tourism activities, through to management and tourism strategy or marketing roles. It is exciting and dynamic and makes a very important contribution to New Zealand’s economy.

Assessment Opportunities:

All students have the opportunity to demonstrate a range of skills through a variety of internal assessments.

Programme Description:

Tourism is one of New Zealand’s largest export earners especially here in Whitianga.

This course focuses on teaching the destination knowledge and tourism industry skills required to work in travel & tourism.

Learning Outcomes/Contexts:

Provides students with an introduction to the tourism industry. The course recognises the knowledge and skills required as a base for further training in the tourism industry, including understanding tourists characteristics and needs, the business of tourism, destination New Zealand, Pacific and Australian tourism destinations, and opportunities in tourism. There will be opportunities for students to develop their very own tourism venture.

Skills and Capabilities:

Team building, interpersonal skills, customer service and the opportunity to take risks. They will require research skills and the ability to work alongside tourism and business operators and owners.

Cross Curriculum Links:

Business and Enterprise, Mathematics, English, Science.

Possibly leads to:

A wide range of career choices, from dealing face to face with visitors, hosting tours and leading tourism activities, through to management and tourism strategy or marketing roles. It is exciting and dynamic and makes a very important contribution to New Zealand’s economy.

Assessment Opportunities:

All students have the opportunity to demonstrate a range of skills through a variety of internal assessments.