Humanities & Social Sciences

Courses offered in the Humanities and Social Sciences area cover a broad range topics that offer students the opportunity to expand their knowledge in areas of interest to them.

Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) courses cover a wide range of topics, including Business, Law, Behavioral Studies, Language, Histories, Cultural Studies, and Geographical Studies. These courses offer students a chance to learn about societal issues, the economy, and how to apply practical business skills.

Additionally, they offer Philosophy, Sociology, and Psychology courses that delve into the human condition, how society shapes us, and how our brain works.

The courses also offer an opportunity to learn about language and culture, study history and understand significant events that shaped society. Students can also look at different cultures, including first inhabitants and those nearby to Australia - with a focus on Asia and our close neighbors.

HASS subjects lend themselves to a wide variety of excursion activities and guest speakers, such as:

  • visiting the courts and the Penitentiary chapel

  • having numerous interactions with the University of Tasmania e.g. the Economics Challenge, Lawfest, visits to the Morris Miller library,

  • having many guest speakers: Police, local government, Legal Aid.

  • engaging with Debating and the Philosothon

  • working with children at day care centres and in the College,

  • entering the Sharemarket Game and the Plan Your Own Enterprise Competition.

Courses

Course Options Offered

  • Working with Children 2

  • Introduction to Sociology & Psychology 2

  • Psychology 3

  • Enterprise at Work

  • Business Studies Foundation 2

  • Psychology 3

  • Accounting 3

  • Business Studies 3

  • Legal Studies Foundation 2

  • Economics 3

  • Business Studies 3

  • History 2

  • Tasmanian Aboriginal Studies 2

  • First Nations Studies 3

  • Modern History 3

  • Ancient History 3

  • Geography 3

  • Philosophy 3

  • Australia in Asia & the Pacific 3

  • Asian Studies 3 (UTAS)

  • Certificate II in Tourism (VET)

  • Certificate II in Workplace Skills (Office Administration) (VET)

  • Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (VET)

Frequently ASked Questions

  • HASS stands for Humanities and Social Sciences and includes subjects that can be grouped into 3 areas:

    Legal/Government/Business related

    Legal Studies Foundation 2 and Legal Studies 3, Business Studies Foundation 2 and Business Studies 3, Accounting 3 and Economics.

    Behavioural

    Introduction to Sociology and Psychology 2, Working with Children 2, Psychology 3 and Sociology 3.

    History, Culture, Current Issues and Ideas

    Tasmanian Aboriginal Studies 2, History and the Environment 2, Asian Studies (UTAS), Australia, Asia and the Pacific 3, Geography 3, Philosophy 3, First Nations 3, Modern History 3, Ancient History 3, French 2 and 3, Japanese 2 and 3, and CCAFL languages.

  • No, this is not required. However, some HASS subjects are recommended as being better suited for Year 12 students due to the academic demands and work requirements (e.g. Legal Studies 3, Economics 3, Psychology 3, Sociology 3).

  • A folio varies in content depending on the related subject. A folio might be a collection of work samples throughout the year or a research investigation.

    Doing more than one subject with an externally assessed folio of work can create workload stress for some students. It is highly recommended that you understand the requirements and workload of doing two or more folio based subjects.

  • No, they don’t. First Nations 3 and Asian Studies (UTAS) have externally assessed pieces of work (sometimes called Folios) in place of an externally assessed exam. Sociology and Psychology have both an externally assessed exam and folio, both of equal importance.

  • The VET course focuses on the skills and knowledge an individual needs to work in a front-office environment. The Business Studies – Foundation 2 course focuses on the skills and knowledge needed to start your own business. It is the foundation course for Business Studies 3, Economics 3 and Accounting 3. Both courses attract TCE points.

Still Got Questions?

Jeremy Dooley - Head of Humanities

jdooley@gyc.tas.edu.au


Other Helpful Links

  • Tasmanian Assessment Standards and Certification (TASC) website.

  • Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) website.

  • Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE) website.