Year 10 Geography
Geography provides insight into a range of issues affecting environments and communities world-wide. An inquiry approach is used to investigate global, regional and local issues, with an emphasis on research, field work and geographical skills (including Geographic Information Systems software). Topics investigated include the impact of tourism on vulnerable environments and communities, global population growth and movements of people, issues relevant to urban communities and the better management of valuable physical resources such as non-renewable energy, land, forests, and waterways. Year 10 Geography provides students a sound base from which to go on and study the Queensland Authority Subject, Senior Geography.


Year 10 History
History provides students with critical thinking skills and essential knowledge they need to make sense of the world they enter when they leave school. The objectives of the Year 10 course are to introduce the concepts and historical inquiry skills needed to study Senior Ancient and Modern History, to provide students with an understanding of key themes in Australian History and to give students the opportunity to find out why the world is the way it is today! History is all about working with historical evidence and students have the opportunities to investigate topics such as: Australian Race Relations and Immigration Policies, Australia at War, Imperialism and Its Impacts, the USA and the Modern World and the Rise of Terrorism.


Ancient History
Ancient History is a Queensland Studies Authority Subject offered across four semesters in Years 11 and 12. We have just adopted the new 2004 Ancient History Syllabus which allows students the opportunity to focus on a wider range of topics and a time period extending into the Middle Ages. The first year of the course allows Year 11 students to develop an understanding of the basics and foundations of archaeology, venture into the Stone Age and an opportunity to compare and contrast conflict and technology in ancient societies as diverse as Egypt, Rome and South and Central America. In Year 12 students examine the changing landscapes and civilisations of Ancient Europe, culminating in a final topic- The Ethics of Archaeology. Ancient History allows students to build skills in research, investigation and analysis and evaluation of written and non-written sources. The course also covers an appraisal of Australia’s indigenous heritage. Students have opportunities for hands on experiences through visits to the Townsville Museum and the bi-annual History/ Art overseas trip. The study of Ancient History is alive and well at TGS!


Economics
Economics is a Queensland Studies Authority Subject offered across four semesters in Years 11 and 12. Economics unravels the mysteries of living in contemporary society with the aim of making students more economically literate. Students gain knowledge relevant to understanding local and national issues like interest rate and Australian dollar movements, the affect of demand and supply on prices and business, share markets, unemployment, trade unionism, role of government in the economy and environmental management. Additionally, the impact of globalisation is investigated through international trade, aid and multinationals. There is also a focus on personal financial management. Topics are investigated through the skills of inquiry with and emphasis on problem solving. Economics is a useful foundation for life in the 21st Century as well as for careers in international diplomacy, journalism, marketing, small business, government, finance, real estate and conservation of environmental resources. Economics is for everyone, interested?


Years 11 & 12 Geography
Geography is a Queensland Studies Authority Subject offered across four semesters in Years 11 and 12. Geography brings the world to students’ fingertips! It caters to students who enjoy learning about world environments and the issues confronting their people. An inquiry approach is used to investigate global, regional and local issues with an emphasis on research, field work and geographical skills (including Geographic Information Systems software) where appropriate. The course includes studies on how best to respond to natural disasters, feeding the world’s people, impact of political conflict on development, making urban communities more sustainable and managing vulnerable physical environments like rainforests and coral reefs. Topics are investigated with a problem solving focus. The study of Geography prepares students for a range of tertiary studies and careers, including in fields such as urban planning, regional development, foreign affairs, environmental studies and disaster risk management.


Modern History
“History is an account, mostly false, of events, mostly unimportant, which are brought about by rulers, mostly knaves, and soldiers, mostly fools.” (Ambrose Bierce) Currently, there is much debate about what should be being taught in Australian History classrooms. The objective of Modern History at Townsville Grammar School is to have students fully engage with History, as an academic discipline, and develop an understanding and appreciation of the tentative and interpretive nature of history and the consequent value of critically scrutinising sources to identify perspectives and biases; invaluable skills for tertiary study and living in such an information overloaded age! The Modern History course on offer is written to the exciting 2004 syllabus and is a four semester Queensland Studies Authority subject, studied across Years 11 and 12. Whilst encouraging students to critically evaluate and challenge historical evidence, the ‘baby is hardly thrown out with the bathwater’! The course begins with an overview of ‘world history’ from the French Revolution to the present day before settling into studies of the 20th and 21st Centuries’ political, social, cultural and military developments. Using a rigorous historical inquiry approach students delve into what life would have been like for everyday people at great moments in history, using Australia’s and Townsville’s experiences of World War II as a starting point. Students also, beginning in Year 11 and finishing up in Semester 1, Year 12, examine the plight of the Jewish people during the Holocaust and then how their experiences translated into the establishment of Modern Israel and the impact this has had on the Middle East and the wider world up to today. Other topics studied include: the Cold War and the consequent rise of the USA and American cultural dominance, Australia’s role in the Asia Pacific region since Federation and the contribution of great individuals to history. Modern History not only prepares students for tertiary studies and provides vital knowledge and skills for life in the 21st Century, it also leads to a variety of exciting and fulfilling careers in fields such as journalism, politics, diplomacy, film research, education and museum work.