HUMANTIES AND

SOCIAL SCIENCE
YEAR 9

Civics & Citizenship Booklet

Unit Outline
The Year 9 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 investigate the features
and principles of Australia’s court system, including its role in applying and interpreting
Australian law. Students also examine global connectedness and how this is shaping
contemporary Australian society.

The civics and citizenship content at this year level involves two strands: civics and citizenship
knowledge and understanding, and civics and citizenship skills. These strands are interrelated
and have been developed to be taught in an integrated way, and in ways that are appropriate to
specific local contexts. The order and detail in which they are taught are programming decisions.

Key inquiry questions

A framework for developing students’ civics and citizenship knowledge, understanding and skills
at this year level is provided by the following key questions:
• What influences shape the operation of Australia's political system?
• How does Australia's court system work in support of a democratic and just society?
• How do citizens participate in an interconnected world?
 Australian Curriculum
Achievement Standards

CIVICS & CITIZENSHIP

Government & democracy
• The role of political parties and independent representatives in
The Australian Curriculum
Australia’s system of government, including the formation of sets the expectations for
governments (ACHCK075 what all young Australians
• How citizens’ political choices are shaped, including the influence of should be taught,
the media (ACHCK076 regardless of where they
live in Australia or their
• The process through which government policy is shaped and background.
developed, including the role of Prime Minister and Cabinet
(ACHCK103 Education plays a critical
role in shaping the lives of
young Australians and
Laws & citizens contributing to a
• The key features of Australia’s court system and how courts apply and democratic, equitable and
interpret the law, resolve disputes and make law through judgements just society that is
(ACHCK077 prosperous, cohesive and
culturally diverse.
• The key principles of Australia’s justice system, including equality
before the law, independent judiciary, and right of appeal (ACHCK078 It sets the goal for what all
students should learn as
Citizenship, diversity & identity they progress through their
school life – wherever they
• How and why individuals and groups, including religious groups, live in Australia and
participate in and contribute to civic life (ACHCK079 whichever school they
• The influence of a range of media, including social media, in shaping attend.
identities and attitudes to diversity (ACHCK080
• How ideas about and experiences of Australian identity are influenced
by global connectedness and mobility (ACHCK081

Questioning & research

• Develop, select and evaluate a range of questions to investigate
Australia's political and legal systems (ACHCS082
• Identify, gather and sort information and ideas from a range of sources
and reference as appropriate (ACHCS083

Analysis, synthesis & interpretation

• Critically evaluate information and ideas from a range of sources in
relation to civics and citizenship topics and issues (ACHCS084
• Account for different interpretations and points of view (ACHCS085

Problem solving & decision making

• Recognise and consider multiple perspectives and ambiguities, and
use strategies to negotiate and resolve contentious issues (ACHCS086
• Use democratic processes to reach consensus on a course of action
relating to a civics or citizenship issue and plan for that action
(ACHCS087
The above text and the
Achievement Standards
Communication & reflection text for each subject is
• Present evidence-based civics and citizenship arguments using copied from and used with
subject-specific language (ACHCS088 permission of the
Australian Curriculum,
• Reflect on their role as a citizen in Australian, regional and global contexts
Assessment and Reporting
(ACHCS089 Authority (ACARA).
2 HASS TERM 4 | 2022 YEAR 9 – Riverside Christian College
CIVICS Term 4

WORK RATE CALENDAR

The following concepts will be explored this term in Civics:

Week # Lesson # Lesson Title

1 3.1 Overview & pre-test

1 2 3.2 Australian political parties

3-4 3.3 The electoral process

1-2 3.4 Forming government

2
3-4 3.5 Prime Minister & cabinet

1 5.1 Pre-test: Australia’s court system

3 2-3 5.2 The court hierarchy

4
5.3 The roles of particular courts
1

4 2-3 5.4 Different courts, different jurisdictions

4 5.5 How the courts make laws

1-2 6.2 Equality before the law

5
3-4 6.3 The independence of the courts
6
1-4 Examination & preparation week
Exam
1-2 6.4 The right of appeal
7
3-4 6.5 When the system fails

1-2 2.6 Analysis bias

8
3-4 3.6 Thinking Big: Founding a political party

9 1-4 End of year pack up

3 HASS TERM 4 | 2022 YEAR 9 – Riverside Christian College

RESOURCES

Resources supplied:
• Jacaranda 9 Textbook

Resources to be sourced independently:

• History exercise book
• Pens/pencils/textas
• Thick textas or sharpies for writing/illustrating
• Scissors
• Glue
• Sheets of paper or cardboard
• Various sized boxes and craft materials
• Digital tools, e,g. Microsoft Word, publisher or something similar
• Access to Library Books or Internet

4 HASS TERM 4 | 2022 YEAR 9 – Riverside Christian College