Rationale: The study of Geography is a structured way of exploring, analysing and understanding the characteristics of places that make up our world. Geographers are interested in key questions concerning places and geographic phenomena: What is there? Where is it? Why is it there? What are the effects of it being there? How is it changing over time and how could and should it change in the future? How is it different from other places and phenomena? How are the places and phenomena connected?
Students explore these questions through fieldwork and investigation of a wide range of secondary sources. These methods underpin the development of a unique framework for understanding the world enabling students to appreciate its complexity, the diversity and interactions of its environments, economics and cultures and the process that helped form and transform them.

GE011 UNIT 1: HAZARDS AND DISASTERS
In this unit students undertake an overview of hazards before investigating two contrasting types of hazards and the responses to them by people.

Areas of Study

• Characteristics of Hazards
• Response to Hazards and Disasters

Outcomes

• In this area of study students examine hazards and hazard events before engaging in a study of at least two specific hazards at a range of scales. They study one from at least two different types of hazards from the list provided, for example, coastal hazards and an alien animal invasion, or floods and oil spills. The selection of hazards should allow students to use visual representations and topographical maps at various scales and undertake fieldwork.
• On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse and explain the nature, purpose and effectiveness of a range of responses to selected hazards and disasters.

GE022 UNIT 2: TOURISM
In this unit students investigate the characteristics of tourism, with particular emphasis on where it has developed, its various forms, how it has changed and continues to change and its impacts on people, places and environments. They select contrasting examples of tourism from within Australia and elsewhere in the world to support their investigations.

Areas of Study

• Characteristics of Tourism
• Impact of Tourism

Outcomes

• On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse, describe and explain the nature of tourism at a range of scales.
• In this area of study students explore the environmental, economic and socio-cultural impacts of different types of tourism. They investigate at least one tourism location, using appropriate fieldwork techniques, and another elsewhere in the world.

Assessment for Units 1 & 2: S or N based on the demonstrated achievement of the outcomes specified above.

Rationale: History involves inquiry into human action in the past, to make meaning of the past using primary sources as evidence. As historians ask new questions, revise interpretations or discover new sources, fresh understandings come to light. The study of VCE History assists students to understand themselves, others and their world, and broadens their perspective by examining people, groups, events, ideas and movements. Through studying VCE History, students develop social, political, economic and cultural understanding.

HI031 UNIT 1: 20TH CENTURY HISTORY (1900-1945)
History involves inquiry into human action in the past, to make meaning of the past using primary sources as evidence. As historians ask new questions, revise interpretations or discover new sources, fresh understandings come to light.
The study of VCE History assists students to understand themselves, others and their world, and broadens their perspective by examining people, groups, events, ideas and movements. Through studying VCE History, students develop social, political, economic and cultural understanding.

Areas of Study

•  Ideology and Conflict
• Social and Cultural Change

Outcomes

• On completion of this unit the student should be able to explain the consequences of the peace treaties which ended World War One, the impact of ideologies on nations and the events that led to World War Two.
• On completion of this unit the student should be able to explain patterns of social life and cultural change in one or more contexts, and analyse the factors which influenced changes to social life and culture, in the inter-war years.

Assessment: S or N based on the demonstrated achievement of the outcomes specified for the unit.

HI042 UNIT 2: 20TH CENTURY HISTORY (SINCE 1945)

Areas of Study

• Competing Ideologies
• Challenge and Change

Outcomes

• On completion of this unit the student should be able to explain the ideological divisions in the post-war period and analyse the nature, development and impact of the Cold War on nations and people, in relation to one or more particular conflicts in the period.
• On completion of this unit the student should be able to explain the causes and nature of challenge and change in relation to two selected contexts in the second half of the twentieth century and analyse the consequences for nations and people.

Assessment: S or N based on the demonstrated achievement of the outcomes specified for the unit, School-Assessed Coursework and an end of year examination.

Rationale: VCE Australian and Global Politics offers students the opportunity to engage with key political, social and economic issues, and to become informed citizens, voters and participants in their local, national and international communities.
Global Politics provides students with an insight into the political, social, cultural and economic forces that shape our rapidly changing world. Students develop a critical understanding of the world in which they live and of contemporary global issues. In doing so, students are provided with the opportunity to develop the awareness and the critical thinking skills that underpin active citizenship and an ability to more deeply appreciate and contextualise the global environment in which they live.
Australian and Global Politics provides knowledge and skills that prepare students for formal study at the tertiary level or in vocational education and training settings. It also leads to opportunities in a range of careers, including academia, management and government. Students may also pursue occupations in corporate and private enterprises in fields such as journalism, education, law, research and politics.

PS041 UNIT 1: IDEAS, ACTORS & POWER
In this unit students are introduced to the key ideas relating to the exercise of political power. They explore how these ideas shape political systems and in particular the characteristics of liberalism. They consider the nature of power in Australian democracy and in a non-democratic political system. They also explore the nature and influence of key political actors in Australia: political parties, interest groups and the media. All these forms of participation in Australian democracy influence the political agenda.

Areas of Study

• Power and Ideas
• Political Actors and Power

Outcomes
Students should be able to;

• Identify and explain key ideas relating to the exercise of political power and analyse and evaluate different approaches to governmental power by comparing Australian democracy with a non-democratic political system.
• Explain and analyse the roles and functions of political parties, interest groups and the media and their influence on participation in Australian politics.
• Explain the presumption of innocence.

PS042 UNIT 2: GLOBAL CONNECTIONS
This unit introduces students to the global community and the global actors that are part of this community. In Area of Study 1 students explore the myriad ways lives have been affected by the increased interconnectedness – the global links – of the world through the process of globalisation. In Area of Study 2, students consider the extent to which global actors cooperate and share visions and goals as part of the global community. They investigate the ability of the global community to manage areas of global cooperation and to respond to issues of global conflict and  instability.

Areas of Study

•  Global Links
• Global Cooperation and Conflict

Outcomes
Students should be able to;

• Identify and analyse the social, political and economic interconnections created by globalization and evaluate Australia’s participation in the global community
• Describe and analyse the extent to which global actors can effectively manage cooperation, conflict and instability in relation to selected case studies.

Assessment for Units 1 & 2: S or N based on the demonstrated achievement of the outcomes specified above.