Australian HASS Curriculum Key Concepts

Humanities and Social Sciences [HASS] is a critical learning area for students in the primary years as it provides students with the essential skills and expertise required to be engaged and informed global citizens. In the Australian HASS curriculum, students are introduced to a range of different cultures, perspectives, and societies, allowing them to gain a holistic understanding of the world they live in today (Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA], 2022). This understanding is achieved through not only the content knowledge, but also by the application of curriculum key concepts and the use of an inquiry-based pedagogy. Throughout the inquiry learning process, students learn to apply critical thinking skills

Inquiry-based learning is a constructivist pedagogical approach, which allows students to actively explore and investigate topics whilst the teacher acts as a guide (Cleovoulou & Beach, 2019). The process for an inquiry-based unit follows the basic structure of introducing the inquiry question or focus questions by the teacher, independent research carried out by the students, drawing conclusions from the research, and taking action from the findings (Reynolds, 2014). Students are therefore actively involved in their own learning process, which is shown to increase their engagement in the content and allow for deeper understanding (Gilbert et al., 2019). Inquiry based learning is clearly embedded in the HASS curriculum, evidenced by the inquiry questions that are included for teachers to cover within each year level, and the inquiry skills that are taught and applied alongside the content (ACARA, 2022). Each year

These concepts are explored through each subject of the HASS curriculum allow for students to gain a larger understanding of the content (ACARA, 2022). By including these key concepts across the subjects, students can then apply this understanding to future decisions or issues that they encounter in future schooling, outside of their schooling environment. One key concept is Cause and Effect, where students identify causes and consequences of events, interactions, movements, and developments (ACARA, 2022). By including this key concept throughout all subjects, students can understand how the society they now live in has developed over time and enhances their curiosity about what their future will look like (Gilbert et al., 2019). This curiosity will come with questions, motivation for research, increased awareness of their environment, which all leads to the ability to make informed choices for the future (Gilbert et al., 2019). For example, students may explore the causes and effect of climate change, investigating the economic, social and environmental factors which contribute to this contemporary global issue. By exploring this issue, students develop a deeper understanding of the interrelation between human activities and ecosystems and discover ways that they can take action. Another key concept included in the curriculum is Democracy and Citizenship, which explores Australia’s