Westlake Girls’ High School
Level 3 Social Studies
Course Description
Teacher in Charge:
The focus at Level 3 is to understand how individuals and groups can influence and campaign for social change at local, national and global levels. We also look at different ideologies and belief systems and how these can influence people's behaviour and responses to different issues and events.
It is recommended, though not necessary, that students taking this course have completed Year 12 Social Studies. A comprehensive introduction to the key skills will be undertaken at the start of the year to ensure all students learn the core concepts and skills even if they haven't done the Level 2 course.
The study of Social Studies at this level is excellent preparation for tertiary education and a variety of careers including Sociologist, Psychologist, Social Worker, Anthropologist, Customer Service, Police Officer, Journalist, Councillor, Teacher, Lawyer, Human Resources, Economist, Judge, Judge’s Assistant, the United Nations, work with NGOs, Politics, Film Maker, Government Agencies, Nursing and Criminologist.
Topics include:
- Ideologies e.g. Gloriavale- Cult or Community?
- Debate over Euthanasia and Marriage Equality and how laws are made in NZ
- Crime Inquiry (Criminology/Psychology) where students can choose their crime focus e.g. 911, murder of George Floyd, Christchurch Mosque Shooting, Witchcraft in East Africa, Orlando Night Club Shooting, Charlottesville Confederate Statues protests, Women2Drive in Saudi Arabia,
- The Fight for Gender equality in India
- Social action campaign to address a social or environmental issue of your choice e.g. collecting donations for De Paul House, Period Poverty, Visit to Milford Primary school to educate about marine animals and bycatch, child poverty, deforestation, youth vaping, human rights issues.
At this level students are challenged to think critically about social issues, to analyse complex situations and find ways of explaining them, and to think about their own viewpoints.
This course will help prepare you for our complex world. Students planning to pursue careers that are people-focused will benefit for the issues and skills covered. If you are thinking about going into journalism, law, psychology, criminology, politics, social research, policy making, the Police, nursing, social work, teaching, public relations, business, and customer service then this is the course that will help you in the future.
The standards offered in this course may be altered at the discretion of the Head of Department.
Course Overview
Term 1
We will start with a comprehensive introduction to learn the key skills for the Level 3 course, using the conflict over Gloriavale on the West Coast of NZ. Is it a cult or a community?
Our first major unit of work will be to examine how law reform and the democratic process works in New Zealand. We will look at different people and groups campaign for law reform, using the recent euthanasia debate in NZ as our main case study.
Term 2
Our second major unit of work will involve social action. Students will work collaboratively to address a social or environmental issue of their choice. For example: period poverty, refugees, waste, ethical fashion, animal testing. There will be the opportunity for students to visit Milford School to do interactive workshops on their chosen issue.
The final internal assessment topic will be centred around Crime and Criminology. We will examine different theories of crime and students will conduct a critical inquiry inquiry about a crime motivated by ideology.
Term 3
Finally, we will prepare for the external achievement standard. We only do one external standard. We will examine gender inequality in India and look at how the ideologies of Conservative Hinduism and Feminism shape this issue.
Term 4
This term we will solely be focused on revision.
Recommended Prior Learning
Course Material Costs
$20 to cover photocopying and consumables e.g. paint, coloured card etc.. needed for social action.
Pathway
This course will help prepare you for our complex world. Students planning to pursue careers that are people-focused will benefit from the issues and skills covered. If you are thinking about going into journalism, law, psychology, criminology, politics, social research, policy making, the Police, nursing, social work, teaching, public relations, business, and customer service then this is the course that will help you in the future.
Credit Information
You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.
This course is eligible for subject endorsement.
This course is approved for University Entrance.
External
NZQA Info
Social Studies 3.1 - Demonstrate understanding of ideological responses to an issue
NZQA Info
Social Studies 3.2 - Conduct a critical social inquiry
Assessments:
Term: 3, Week: 3
NZQA Info
Social Studies 3.4 - Examine personal involvement in a social action(s) that aims to influence policy change(s)
Assessments:
Term: 2, Week: 7
NZQA Info
Social Studies 3.5 - Examine a campaign of social action(s) to influence policy change(s)
Assessments:
Term: 1, Week: 11
Approved subject for University Entrance
Number of credits that can be used for overall endorsement: 20
Only students engaged in learning and achievement derived from Te Marautanga o Aotearoa are eligible to be awarded these subjects as part of the requirement for 14 credits in each of three subjects.
Disclaimer
Courses will only run based on minimum entries
Selecting a course does not guarantee entry into this course
You may apply for an exemption if you do not meet the prerequisites of a course or if the course requires this for entry
Standards offered can be altered at the discretion of the HOF or HOD of the Department
Some standards in NCEA courses might be optional depending on student strengths
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