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• The Humanities | Civics and Citizenship: Rationale and Aims

  Rationale

  Civics and Citizenship is essential in enabling students to become active and informed citizens who participate in and sustain Australia’s democracy. Through the study of Civics and Citizenship, students investigate political and legal systems, and explore the nature of citizenship...

  Overview material | Civics and Citizenship

• VCCCC026

  Explain how groups express their identities, including religious and cultural identity, and how this expression can influence their perceptions of others and others’ perception of them

  Elaborations

  • investigating how and why different Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are maintaining and strengthening their identities and how this contributes to Australia's national identity
  • investigating how and why the visible aspects of people’s cultural identity (for example dress, gestures, traditions/customs, accent/language) can influence interactions between people
  • considering how Australia’s location in the Asian region influences interactions between Australians an those living in the region

  VCCCC026 | The Humanities | Civics and Citizenship | Levels 7 and 8 | Citizenship, Diversity and Identity

• VCCCC038

  Examine the influence of a range of media, including social media, in shaping identities and attitudes to diversity and how ideas about Australian identity may be influenced by global events

  Elaborations

  • analysing how media represent different groups in Australian society and assessing the impact those representations have on community cohesiveness, for example, a human rights campaign that uses social media
  • examining stories of how Australian citizens' perspectives on their role in the global community have been influenced by their experiences of living and working in other countries
  • debating the concepts of ‘global identity’ and ‘global citizenship’ and their implications for Australian citizens

  VCCCC038 | The Humanities | Civics and Citizenship | Levels 9 and 10 | Citizenship, Diversity and Identity

• VCCCL032

  Explain how Australia’s international legal obligations shape Australian law and government policies, including in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

  Elaborations

  • listing some of the international agreements Australia has ratified and identifying examples of how each one might shape government policies and laws, for example the protection of World Heritage areas
  • researching the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
  • identifying how international conventions and declarations have shaped Australian government policies with regard to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

  VCCCL032 | The Humanities | Civics and Citizenship | Levels 9 and 10 | Laws and Citizens

• VCCCC027

  Examine how national identity can shape a sense of belonging and examine different perspectives about Australia’s national identity, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' perspectives

  Elaborations

  • investigating representations of Australian identity evident in national day events (such as Anzac Day), and in the media and popular culture, to analyse different perspectives on the interpretation of national identity
  • explaining contemporary influences on the shaping of Australian national identity, such as the natural environment, immigration, attitudes to Asia and Reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians
  • using personal stories to explore how individuals relate to national identity and how it impacts on their sense of belonging in the Australian community
  • investigating the extent of ethnic diversity in Australia

  VCCCC027 | The Humanities | Civics and Citizenship | Levels 7 and 8 | Citizenship, Diversity and Identity

• Civics and Citizenship: Levels 5 and 6 description

  The Level 5 and 6 curriculum introduces students to the key values of Australia’s liberal democratic system of government and the key institutions of Australia’s democratic government, including state/territory and federal parliaments, and the court system. Students learn about representative...

  Level description | The Humanities | Civics and Citizenship

• VCCCG003

  Explain the roles of local government and some familiar services provided at the local level

  Elaborations

  • investigating what local government does, including the services it provides such as libraries, health, environment and waste, parks, pools and sport, arts, and pet management
  • describing how local government services may affect the lives of students
  • using online sources to identify local government services

  VCCCG003 | The Humanities | Civics and Citizenship | Levels 3 and 4 | Government and Democracy

• Civics and Citizenship: Levels 9 and 10 description

  The Level 9 and 10 curriculum builds students’ understanding of Australia’s political system and how it enables change. Students examine the ways political parties, interest groups, media and individuals influence government and decision-making processes. They compare Australia’s system of government...

  Level description | The Humanities | Civics and Citizenship

• VCCCC037

  Discuss how and why groups, including religious groups, participate in civic life

  Elaborations

  • researching the work of a non-government organisation (NGO), philanthropist or community group, and how and why they contribute to the Australian community
  • investigating the concept of 'the common good' using examples of how religious groups participate to foster interfaith understanding or social justice

  VCCCC037 | The Humanities | Civics and Citizenship | Levels 9 and 10 | Citizenship, Diversity and Identity

• VCCCG030

  Analyse how citizens’ political choices are shaped, including the influence of the media

  Elaborations

  • analysing a range of strategies used to persuade citizens’ electoral choices such as public debate, media, opinion polls, advertising, interest groups and political party campaigns
  • discussing how social media is used to influence people’s understanding of issues

  VCCCG030 | The Humanities | Civics and Citizenship | Levels 9 and 10 | Government and Democracy

• VCCCC035

  Analyse contemporary examples and issues relating to Australian democracy and global connections, including key aspects of citizenship in a pluralist society

  Elaborations

  • explaining how a particular non-government organisation (NGO) contributes to the Australian community and how Australians participate though membership of NGOs
  • choosing a particular social media campaign and explaining the ways that it contributed to active citizenship
  • creating an article, argumentative essay, panel discussion or debate about a contemporary issue

  VCCCC035 | The Humanities | Civics and Citizenship | Levels 9 and 10 | Citizenship, Diversity and Identity

• VCCCG009

  Describe the roles and responsibilities of the three levels of government, including shared roles and responsibilities within Australia's federal system

  Elaborations

  • clarifying the roles and responsibilities of the three levels of government (local, state/territory and federal)
  • identifying instances where there may be multiple levels of government involved, for example in relation to the environment such as management of the Murray-Darling river system

  VCCCG009 | The Humanities | Civics and Citizenship | Levels 5 and 6 | Government and Democracy

• VCCCG018

  Describe key features of government under the Australian Constitution, including the separation of powers, the Executive, the role of the Houses of Parliament, and the division of powers

  Elaborations

  • explaining the significance of the Magna Carta and evaluating its legacy in establishing the role of parliament and the separation of powers
  • describing the purpose of the Australian Constitution
  • investigating the concept of the separation of powers between the legislature, executive and judiciary and how it seeks to prevent the excessive concentration of power
  • describing the role of the Governor-General and the different roles of the House of Representatives and the Senate
  • describing the difference between the Governor General as executive government in the constitution and Prime Minister and Cabinet as executive government under the Westminster system
  • investigating the division of powers between state/territory and federal levels of government using an issue such as water management, education or health
  • explaining the roles of the Senate and the House of Representatives as outlined in the Australian constitution

  VCCCG018 | The Humanities | Civics and Citizenship | Levels 7 and 8 | Government and Democracy

• VCCCG031

  Explain the Australian government’s roles and responsibilities at a global level, including provision of foreign aid, peacekeeping and the United Nations

  Elaborations

  • identifying and explaining the types of participation that Australia has in the Asia region and internationally, for example exchange programs, peacekeeping, election monitoring, health programs, disaster management
  • investigating Australia’s involvement with the United Nations, for example representation in the organisation and adherence to conventions and declarations that Australia has ratified

  VCCCG031 | The Humanities | Civics and Citizenship | Levels 9 and 10 | Government and Democracy

• VCCCL034

  Discuss the key principles of Australia’s justice system, including equality before the law, independent judiciary, and right of appeal

  Elaborations

  • identifying the key principles and explaining what is meant by each principle and discussing how each works to protect citizens and contribute to a fair society
  • identifying and explaining factors that can undermine the application of the principles of justice, for example bribery, coercion of witnesses, trial by media, and court delays

  VCCCL034 | The Humanities | Civics and Citizenship | Levels 9 and 10 | Laws and Citizens

• Civics and Citizenship: Levels 7 and 8 achievement standards

  By the end of Level 8, students explain features of Australia’s system of government, and the purpose of the Constitution in Australia’s representative democracy. They analyse features of Australian democracy, and explain features that enable active participation. They explain how...

  Level description | The Humanities | Civics and Citizenship | Levels 7 and 8

• VCCCL023

  Compare how laws are made in Australia, including through parliaments (statutory law) and courts (common law), and explain different types of laws, including executive law (delegated law), criminal law, civil law and the place of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander customary law

  Elaborations

  • comparing some examples of statutes and common laws and the way they are made
  • distinguishing statutory and common law from executive law (delegated law)
  • discussing examples of recent laws passed through parliaments that enact government policy
  • explaining the difference between criminal law and civil law
  • considering the significance of customary law for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
  • describe an example of the process of law making

  VCCCL023 | The Humanities | Civics and Citizenship | Levels 7 and 8 | Laws and Citizens

• VCCCC025

  Identify how values can promote cohesion within Australian society, including the values of freedom, respect, inclusion, civility, responsibility, compassion, equality and a ‘fair go’

  Elaborations

  • identifying values shared by Australians and deciding which ones could also be considered universal values
  • identifying how human rights values are consistent with Australian values

  VCCCC025 | The Humanities | Civics and Citizenship | Levels 7 and 8 | Citizenship, Diversity and Identity

• VCCCG019

  Discuss the freedoms that enable active participation in Australia's democracy within the bounds of law, including freedom of speech, association, assembly, religion and movement

  Elaborations

  • explaining how each freedom supports active participation in Australia's democracy and discussing how and why the 'bounds of law' can limit these freedoms
  • considering the circumstances that can lead to dissent in a democracy

  VCCCG019 | The Humanities | Civics and Citizenship | Levels 7 and 8 | Government and Democracy

• VCCCG020

  Explain how citizens can participate in Australia's democracy, including the use of the electoral system, contact with their elected representatives, use of lobby groups, interest groups and direct action

  Elaborations

  • comparing the effectiveness of different forms of participation in Australia's democracy
  • investigating how elected representatives can advocate on behalf of citizens
  • analysing how opinion polls are conducted and the ways they are used in democratic debate
  • explaining how to enrol to vote in Australia and the role of the Australian Electoral Commission in the electoral process

  VCCCG020 | The Humanities | Civics and Citizenship | Levels 7 and 8 | Government and Democracy