013443 Human Society and its Environment in Primary Education

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

Description

This subject develops pre-service teachers' understanding of the NSW primary curriculum areas of History and Geography (as well as the learning across the curriculum areas of Civics and Citizenship and Work and Enterprise). Pre-service teachers acquire proficiency in designing and implementing learning experiences and assessing and evaluating the learning of primary school students in K–6. Pre-service teachers are encouraged to critically reflect on the wider challenges of preparing Australian school children to become active and informed members of their communities. Through studying this subject, pre-service teachers do more than inform themselves about the humanities and social sciences: they develop their skills as social scientists to ask questions about the world around them and help their students to do the same. Pre-service teachers are supported to broaden their teaching to beyond the classroom by facilitating action-oriented learning experiences that apply History and Geography to researching and addressing real-world issues. Examples include how to explain and reflect on ways to celebrate Australia Day; humanitarian support for refugees; the impact of ever-expanding use of single-use plastics or rising meat consumption on the environment; and government roles in deciding which religion people can pursue. Experts and campaigners from external organisations support the teaching of this subject.