• Semester 2 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit will provide opportunities for students to draw upon their developing
understanding of the nature and possibilities of teaching in exploring the
social studies curriculum area.  They will come to appreciate the importance of
the social studies area within the total education of the child in the primary
school and beyond, and to understand its location within and relationship to the
broader areas of social education and active citizenship.

The unit will cover elements of the formal syllabus program, as well as examine
specific content or topic areas that fall within the social education ambit.
The overall emphasis in this unit is on the curriculum area of social studies as
it contributes to the development in children of competencies and attitudes
necessary for critically active and inquiring citizenship.  The view of the
citizen is one taken from a  postmodernist global perspective.

Students will also be expected to critically engage a  number of writes in the
areas of social education, critical pedagogy, feminism and multiculturalism with
a view to developing their understanding of a  wide range of perspectives on the
possibilities resident within the curriculum area of social education.