Understanding Humanity, Shaping the Future.

The Humanities curriculum at St Aloysius College empowers students to explore the complexities of human history, society, and the world around us. This learning area is designed to inspire curiosity, foster critical thinking, and cultivate an understanding of how individuals and societies evolve over time. By examining the past, analysing the present, and envisioning the future, students are equipped to address the challenges of today and drive progress for tomorrow.

Why Study Humanities?

The Humanities encourage students to ask fundamental questions:

  • Why are we the way we are as individuals and as a society?

  • How can understanding our history prevent us from repeating past mistakes?

  • What can we do to improve our social systems and protect our planet?

Through these inquiries, students develop a deeper understanding of the factors that shape human behaviour, social systems, and cultural dynamics, empowering them to make meaningful contributions to the world.

Key Skills Developed in Humanities

The Humanities curriculum goes beyond knowledge acquisition, focusing on the development of essential life skills that prepare students for academic and personal success. These skills include:

  • Communication: Articulating ideas clearly and effectively in both written and verbal formats.

  • Critical Thinking: Evaluating information, forming reasoned judgments, and solving complex problems.

  • Creative Expression: Exploring innovative ways to express ideas and perspectives.

  • Teamwork: Collaborating with peers to achieve common goals.

  • Problem Solving: Addressing challenges with strategic and analytical thinking.

By mastering these skills, students build confidence and gain the tools to engage with issues that impact them personally, their communities, and the global society.

Exploring Humanity’s Journey

Through a comprehensive curriculum, students delve into key topics that shape the human experience, such as:

  • History: Understanding pivotal moments that have shaped our world and their enduring impacts.

  • Civics and Citizenship: Examining governance systems, rights, and responsibilities to foster active citizenship.

  • Geography: Exploring environmental systems and the interplay between human activities and the planet.

  • Sociology: Investigating societal structures, relationships, and cultural dynamics.

These subjects provide a holistic view of humanity’s journey and equip students with the knowledge to navigate an increasingly interconnected world.

Preparing for the Future

The Humanities curriculum at St Aloysius College instils in students a sense of responsibility and agency. They are encouraged to think globally and act locally, driving positive change in their communities and beyond. Our program inspires students to become:

  • Advocates for social, cultural, political, and economic progress.

  • Champions of environmental sustainability.

  • Thoughtful citizens who connect deeply with their humanity and the world around them.

A Pathway to Social Evolution

At St Aloysius College, the Humanities curriculum serves as a foundation for students to prevent the extinction of humanity’s values and to propel the next wave of evolution—social, cultural, political, and economic. By understanding the world around them, students learn to connect deeply with their humanity and contribute meaningfully to shaping a better future.

Years 7-9
Years 10-12

Years 7-9

In History and Geography, students explore the processes that have shaped, and continue to shape different societies and cultures to appreciate the common humanity shared across time and distance. Students evaluate the ways in which humans have faced and continue to face different challenges. In Civics and Citizenship, students explore the systems that shape society, with a specific focus on national identity, Australian values and multiculturalism in Australia.

Junior Humanities explore how Australian values are reflected in the laws made by our state and federal parliaments. For instance, in the topic entitled Civics and Citizenship, they will take part in a mock parliamentary sitting and voting in a mock referendum on the topic of changing the current Australian flag design. Students also explore, landscapes and landforms, and megacities. The students learn to question why the world is the way it is and reflect on the impact population growth has had in these cities and how the government has tried to solve these problems.

Years 10-12

Humanities is important as it is the building blocks of society as we now know it, whether it be financial literacy, environmental impacts, understanding the way the world operates by viewing previous events, or simply understanding the role that individuals play within a democratic society (both the rights and responsibilities). In our VCE program students have an opportunity to dive deeper into what each individual subject has to offer. These experiences can include competing in the La Trobe University Moot Competition or speaking with a County Court judge.

Should students wish to pursue Humanities through to VCE level, their subject options are vast and include History, Legal Studies (20th Century and Revolutions), Accounting and Business Management. Our teaching team brings a range of experiences to the teaching of our VCE subjects. Our staff consists of teachers with backgrounds in running businesses and working in industry. This includes staff that have worked as Forensic Auditors, VCE Exam Assessors and business owners. Not only do our VCE teaches have industry experience they also have a combined total of over 50 years teaching experience. St Aloysius Humanities subjects consistently perform well with our 2021 Year 12 cohort averaging a study score over 31 across all Humanities subjects.

Explore further

We invite you to join us on a tour to explore our Curran Street Campus, meet our Leadership Team and learn more about the exciting future in store for St Aloysius College.

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