IRENE MCCORMACK CATHOLIC COLLEGE SOCIAL SCIENCE

YEAR 7 CIVICS AND CITIZENSHIP PROGRAM TERM 2 2018

OVERVIEW:

In Year 7, Humanities and Social Sciences consists of Civics and Citizenship, Economics and Business, Geography and History.

In Civics, students continue to build on their understanding of the concepts of the Westminstersystemanddemocracyby examining the keyfeaturesof Australia'sdemocracy, and how it is shaped through the Australian Constitution and constitutionalchange. The concepts ofjustice,rights and responsibilitiesare further developed through a focus on Australia'slegal system.

WEEK / WA CURRICULUM CONTENT DESCRIPTION / LESSON TOPICS / ASSESSMENT TASKS
1 / The purpose and value of the Australian Constitution (ACHCK048) / Definition of Politics and Government
Understanding of why we have a government
Definition and understanding of what the Australian Constitution is and its purpose and value for the country
2 / Thedivision of powersbetween state/territory and federal levels ofgovernmentin Australia (ACHCK048)
The concept of theseparation of powersbetween the legislature, executive and judiciary and how it seeks to prevent the excessive concentration of power (ACHCK048) / Understanding of the why there is a division of powers between Federal, State and Local government
Understanding of responsibilities of each level of government
Understanding of the concept of Separation of Powers and why it prevents a concentration of power.
Understanding of why balance of power is necessary
Identification of the powers held by the executive, legislative and judiciary and how these are carried out.
3 / The different roles of the House of Representatives and the Senate in Australia'sbicameralparliament(ACHCK048) / Identification of the two Houses in Federal Parliament.
Explanation of why we have two houses and the role of each house.
Identification of key people in Parliament and their role.
4 / The process for constitutionalchangethrough areferendumand examples of attempts tochangethe Australian Constitution byreferendum, such as the successful vote on theConstitution Alteration (Aboriginals) 1967or the unsuccessful vote on theConstitution Alteration (Establishment of Republic) 1999(ACHCK049) / Definition of a Referendum
Explanation of why Referenda are held and what they are designed to do
Case Study of 1967 Referendum / ASSESSMENT TASK: LETTER EXPLAINING THE CONSTITUTION
5 / How Australia'slegal systemaims to providejustice, including through therule of law,presumption of innocence,burden of proof, right to a fair trial, and right to legalrepresentation(ACHCK050) / Explanation of how the legal system aims to provide justice.
Explanation of rights when arrested and charged with an offence and during a trial.
6 / How citizens participate in providingjusticethrough their roles as witnesses and jurors (ACHCK050) / Explanation of roles of witnesses and jurors in a trial and how this helps provide the right to a fair trial.
EXAM REVISION
7 / EXAM WEEK / EXAM WEEK / SEMESTER ONE EXAM
8 / EXAM WEEK / EXAM WEEK / SEMESTER ONE EXAM
9 / The importance of conserving the remains of theancientpast, including the heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (ACDSEH148) / Introduction to History
Explanation of early Aboriginal History and European settlement. Importance of archaeology in understanding Aboriginal history and culture.
Understanding of injustices in European settlement for Aboriginal people
10 / NAIDOC WEEK / Students to participate in activities celebrating Aboriginal culture and understanding Aboriginal history.