Social Sciences

Accounting

The study of this subject would be beneficial to those students wishing to specialise in Accountancy or to pursue a career in any area relating to commerce and/or the business world. The subject gives the student a practical knowledge of both the general principles of business finance as well as personal accounting.

Business Studies

Students will gain a great deal of practical experience and theoretical knowledge of all aspects of business including business planning, management, production, marketing and finance. A desire to participate fully (including activities outside of school hours) and work with other students is necessary if students are to achieve success

Classical Studies

Classical Studies is the study of the civilisations of Greece and Rome; two societies that are the ‘cradles of Western Civilisation’ and thus have a direct influence on modern New Zealand society. Students will explore how social, political, artistic, and technological aspects of the classical world influenced the lives of ancient Greeks and Romans. They will also explore the links and lasting influences between the ideas and values of ancient Greeks and Romans and other cultures, analysing why they have enduring influence.

Economics

Economics is about weighing up costs versus benefits in order to make better decisions. The study of Economics complements an interest in business, politics, international affairs, inequality or environmental issues. It is a wide ranging subject and as a result is relevant to a wide range of fields. The skills of Economics are transferable to other fields so studying Economics will enhance your general study and employment prospects.

Geography

Geography attempts to answer many of our social and physical bewilderments by integrating science and human behavioural patterns. Geography tries to make sense of human and environmental interactions for the present and future good of our world.

History

History fires your curiosity and imagination. It invites you to ask, and helps you answer, questions about the world, by engaging with the past and imagining and speculating on possible futures. History presents you with the dilemmas, choices, and beliefs of people in the past, and in doing so connects you with the wider world.

History prepares you for the future.

History equips you with knowledge and skills that are valuable and useful throughout life. These include research
techniques, skills needed to process and analyse varied and complex materials, skills needed to give clear and effective oral and written presentations, and the ability to articulate ideas and make them clear to others. If you are contemplating a career in Law/Politics/Foreign Service/Journalism/Research this subject is essential.

Media Studies

A critical understanding of media and how it works is becoming an increasingly important skill in our media-saturated world. This is a subject for students who are interested in learning about the media – including movies, TV, video games, print media (newspapers/magazines), the music industry, streaming platforms, the internet and more. In this course we examine how the media has social, political, ideological, cultural and economic impacts on individuals and the world. Students also have the opportunity to create their own short films and put the theory into practice.

Tourism

As one of New Zealand’s largest industries, this course allows you to experience and learn about national and international tourism industries, and the delivery of a quality visitor experience. You’ll build skills in tourism and travel management work practices while learning about the wider tourism and hospitality sector and its fit within the business and physical environments. Students will develop skills relevant to a career in tourism.

Students learn about belonging and participating in society through a process of inquiry. This involves learning how societies function and looking at how to be critical, active and responsible citizens through contexts relevant to our students’ lives and interests. Students have multiple opportunities to explore their learning, present their ideas in a variety of ways and participate in social action related events.

Social Studies allows students to increase their knowledge of the world – both current and historical issues, as well as developing a greater understanding of New Zealand society. Students will be challenged to think clearly and critically about how societies work, and to explore different values and viewpoints.

Ui mai koe ki ahau he aha te mea nui o te ao? Māku e kī atu he tangata, he tangata, he tangata!
If you ask me, what is the greatest thing in the world? I will reply; it is people, it is people, it is people.

This is what Social Sciences is about
PEOPLE!
The places they live
The events they have been part of
The decisions they have made; or
are making now, and how they affect
us all
The goal of the New Zealand curriculum is to ensure our students become “Young people who will be confident, connected, actively involved, lifelong learners”.
The JHC Social Sciences programme aims to help our students fulfill this vision and become better-informed, active participants in the local, national and global society they live in.

Social Studies leads onto the following subjects in Years 11-13:
Geography
History
Classical Studies
Tourism
Economics
Accounting
Business Studies
Media Studies

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The aims of the Accounting programme are to promote knowledge and understanding of accounting as a financial language for:

• individuals
• community organisations
• businesses
• whānau

To achieve these aims, the student will:

• process financial data into meaningful information for individuals and small businesses e.g.budgets, cashflows
• prepare financial reports which meet stakeholder needs for small businesses and clubs
• develop decision making skills
• study concepts such as kaitiakitanga and pūtake
• analyse and interpret financial reports

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The course will cover material that is both valued by our local community and inspires and prepares students for future study in Economics.

Topics will include:

• Scarcity and consumer choice
• Economic decision making
• Personal financial management
• Consumer demand
• Business case study
• Producer supply
• Market equilibrium
• Economic impact of events

Students will be assessed against common school assessments to prepare them to undertake the study of Economics at NCEA Level 2 the following year.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course develops an understanding of the physical and social world that we live in. There are four sections;

• Spatial Patterns in the world around us.
• Decision Making – explore contemporary issues in NZ and overseas.
• Natural Processes – how natural events occur and their effect on us.
• Geographic Research – learn how to conduct research and present data.
• There will be a fieldtrip to Arrowtown – approx. cost of $45

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The topics covered at Year 11 are designed to help you develop a passion for this wonderful subject. They include a mixture of overseas and New Zealand-based topics, and will also be used to equip you with skills and knowledge to answer challenging questions about society. In Year 11 you will also be attending a field trip to develop key research and historiographic skills, as well as observing the impacts of historical processes and events on modern society.

The key tasks are:

• An historical research task
• Communication of the historical research topic
• An essay describing the causes and consequences of an historical event
• A long-answer paper interpreting historical sources

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Ever wondered how the Media works? In this course you will gain media knowledge, skills, and experience by exploring a variety of media and media platforms, including social networks, film, tv and video games. You will discover how people use the media, how the media spreads messages and values, as well as create your own media products. The aim of this course is to enable you to understand, question and contribute to the constant flow of media messages around you.

Course content may include:

• Examining how individuals interact with the media
• Analysing media texts (e.g. films, tv shows, etc.)
• Understanding how a film genre attracts an audience
• How the movie industry operates
• Planning and producing short films/podcast/other media forms
• Writing media texts (such as reviews, scripts etc.)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course looks at the processing of accounting information of a Sole Trader Business. It looks at the day-to-day recording of information through to final records such as Income Statements and Statements of Financial Position.

The course also looks at Accounting Systems that are operated for the efficient use and control of Accounts Receivable. Also the students will gain practical experience in the use of an accounting software package to process accounting information.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course gives students an understanding of what a business does and the implications for stakeholders of decision-making in business.

This is achieved by the setting up, running and liquidation of a business through the Young Enterprise Scheme along with learning and applying business theory to a case study business of the student’s choice.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Topics from the following may be studied:

‘Medea’ by Euripides
Students will study this short play about a woman who takes revenge on those around her, after her husband leaves her for another woman. It was written over 2,000 years ago, but many of the ideas are still relevant today.

Classical vs Modern
In this internal assessment, students will examine the relationship between modern films, books, games, and stories and myths from classical times.

A Significant Event
In this assessment, students will choose and analyse a significant event of their own choice from classical times, such as the eruption of Mt Vesuvius or the Battle at Thermopylae.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The course aims to develop an understanding of a number of key economic issues that arise from market forces in the context of the NZ economy: Unemployment, Trade, Economic Growth and Inflation. These issues and government policy alternatives are explored through the use of economic models.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Level 2 Geography extends the ideas developed at Level 1 and provides a foundation for Level 3 studies. Although it is desirable for a student to have completed a Level 1 course, it is quite possible to take Geography for the first time at this level.

Topics covered at this level are:

• Skills
• Natural Landscapes – Mackenzie Basin
• Urban Patterns
• Global Topic
• Contemporary Geographic Issues
• Geographic Research

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The topics studied at Year 12 are predominantly overseas based topics and focus on historical forces that have shaped the world as we know it. The topics will also be used to equip you with the skills and knowledge you will need to complete the Achievement Standards.

There are three Internal Achievement Standards:

• An historical research topic based on primary and secondary sources (4 credits)
• Communication of the historical research topic (5 credits)
• Demonstration of understanding of different perspectives of an historical event (5 credits)

There are two External Achievement Standards:

• An essay examining the causes and consequences of an historical event (5 credits)
• A long answer paper examining historical sources (4 credits)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course continues on from Year 11 Media Studies and continues to build on media knowledge and analysis. It is both a theory-based and practical subject.

Course content includes:

• Ethical issues in the media
• Narrative conventions of film
• Analysing representations in the media
• Close reading of film techniques
• Designing and producing a short film
• Examining how a genre operates in the media industry (e.g. through change, commercial considerations etc.).

Note: Students are required to complete their practical assessments using the school’s software. Students may use their own cameras, phones, digital devices etc. for filming.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

• Demonstrate Knowledge of World Tourist Destinations
• Demonstrate Knowledge of Work Roles in Tourism
• Demonstrate Knowledge of Tourist Characteristics and Needs
• Demonstrate Knowledge of Destination NZ
• Demonstrate Knowledge of the History of Tourism
• Perform Calculations for a Tourism Workplace
• Describe and Compare Impacts of Tourism on the Physical Environment
• Describe and Compare Social Impacts of Tourism

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The course concentrates on the accounting processes for the preparation of Partnership and Company reports. This includes such topics as Cash Flow Planning and Budgeting and Job Costing

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Topics from the following may be studied:

Alexander the Great
Alexander was one of the most effective leaders of all time. Students will analyse his leadership and effects on later societies as he conquered vast areas of land.

Roman Art and Architecture
Some of the world’s most memorable architecture was built in the Roman Empire. The features and propaganda behind these buildings will be analysed. The art of the Italian Renaissance will also be covered.

Classical Literature
Students may be given an ancient Greek or Roman piece of literature to examine, identifying the ideas and values of the classical world. This standard is optional.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The course takes an analytical approach to economic theory and is divided into three sections.
Resource Allocation via the Market System—how the market works to provide the optimum allocation of resources.
Resource Allocation via the Public Sector—where the market fails and the role of Government.
Aggregate Economic Activity and Policy—the impact of Government action on an economy-wide basis.

* There may be a possibility for the top students to study a stage one University paper through Canterbury University. The study would be concurrent and would involve extra costs. See Mr Redmond for more information.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
You do not need to have taken Geography previously. It is, however, preferable to have done so as the course at this level is demanding in terms of content and student time.
The topics studied are:
(i) Cultural Processes – Tourism in Queenstown
(ii) Geographic Skills
There are four internally assessed assignments spread throughout the year.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The topics studied at Year 13 are predominantly overseas based topics and focus on analysis of the social, political and economic aspects of complex historical events and the related historical ideas. The topics will also be used to equip you with the skills and knowledge you will need to complete the Achievement Standards.

There are three Internal Achievement Standards:

• Research analysis of an historical event based on primary evidence (5 credits)
• Communication of the historical research topic (5 credits)
• Analysis of historical perspectives relating to a ‘contested’ event (5 credits)

There are two External Achievement Standards:

• An essay analysing the causes and consequences of an historical event (6 credits)
• A long answer paper analysing historical sources (4 credits)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is an extension of the Level 2 course. It is both practical and theory based and expands on concepts studied in Level 2. Course content includes:
Researching a development in the media.
Analysing the relationship between genre and a society.
Planning, filming and creating a short film.
Examining media representation of an aspect of New Zealand society
Understanding how different audiences ‘read’ a media text

Note: Students are required to complete their practical assessments using the school’s software.
Students may use their own cameras, phones, digital devices etc. for filming.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

• World Travel Geography
• Describe & Promote a NZ Tourism Destination
• Demonstrate Knowledge of the Tourism Industry
• Destination Pacific Islands
• Māori Tourist Attractions
• Read Texts to Complete Research
• Speak to an Audience