Society and Culture

2 units for each of Year 11 and HSC NESA Developed Course

What background knowledge do I need to study Society and Culture?

There are no prerequisites for Society and Culture. The Year 11 course provides all necessary background information regarding the fundamental course concepts of persons, culture, time, society and environment. The Year 11 course also introduces students to social and culture research methodologies.

Why study Society and Culture?

Society and Culture encourages students’ growth in social and cultural literacy and to develop a clear understanding of the interaction of people, societies, cultures, environments and time. It provides a unique perspective on social, historical and political issues that have impacted our globalised world.

Society and Culture draws on cross-disciplinary concepts and upon social research methods from anthropology; communication; cultural and media studies; philosophy; social psychology; and sociology; hence its value as a subject that encourages students to think out of the box, to inquire and to communicate effectively.

It also allows students to follow their passions by researching a one of a kind Personal Interest Project in Year 12. This project will allow students to build real world skills such as communication, problem solving and critical thinking. Students can draw on both personal experiences and public knowledge to develop social and cultural literacy skills

Course description:

Year 11 Society and Culture Course:

The Year 11 course aims to develop students’ social and cultural literacy and provide a clear understanding of the interaction of persons, societies, cultures, environments and time. The influence of other aspects of societies and cultures, including power, authority, identity, gender, technologies and globalisation, are also central to the course. The main topics of the course are:

• The Social and Cultural World

• Personal and Social Identity

• Intercultural Communication

Assessment information: There is no external examination in Year 11. Students will be assessed through three formal assessment tasks, one of which is the Year 11 Examination.

Year 12 Society and Culture Course:

In the HSC course, 40% of the course is allocated to the Personal Interest Project in which knowledge, research skills and personal experiences of the student are all drawn together. Society and Culture is a conceptually based course that promotes students' awareness of the cultural continuities and changes within societies and cultures. It provides them with skills to critically analyse social theories and complementary and contrasting viewpoints about people, societies and cultures.

The main topics are:

Core:

• Personal Interest Project

• Social and Cultural Continuity and Change

Depth Studies:

TWO to be chosen from the following:

• Popular Culture

• Belief Systems and Ideologies

• Social Inclusion and Exclusion

• Social Conformity and Nonconformity

School Based assessment information: Students will be assessed through four formal assessment tasks, one of which is the Year 12 HSC Trial.

HSC examination structure:

It will be a two-hour examination plus five-minutes reading time. The examination will consist of TWO sections and is worth 60 marks (60%) of the final HSC examination mark. The remaining 40 marks (40%) is derived from the Personal Interest Project. The written paper will consist of TWO sections.

- Section 1 – Core – Social and Cultural Continuity and Change (20 marks)

- Section II – Depth Studies (40 marks)

Candidates will be required to answer a question from two (2) Depth Studies

The Personal Interest Project:

The Personal Interest Project requires students to apply appropriate social and cultural research methods to investigate a topic related to the course. The completed project will be a substantial piece of research containing several components, including a log that outlines the development of the project and the procedures undertaken in researching the topic. Students write up to 5, 500 words in total for the PIP. This include all components. The Personal Interest Project is worth 40 marks of the final HSC examination mark. It is weighted at 40% of the HSC examination. The final project is assessed externally. No part of the product is to be assessed as part of the school-based assessment program, however, the Personal Interest Project process may be assessed.

How is Society and Culture relevant to tertiary studies and career choice?

The study of Society and Culture prepares students for tertiary studies by developing knowledge, understanding, skills and other qualities associated with effective citizenship at local, national, regional and global levels. In so doing, it forms a basis for moving towards a more just society through positive participation in community life and attaining social and cultural literacy. These are all important skills that form the basis of many future careers and are particularly relevant for those wishing to pursue a career in the areas of law, government or communications.