Rationale
A deep understanding of Australia's federal system of government and the liberal democratic values that underpin it is essential in enabling students to become active and informed citizens who participate in and sustain Australia’s democracy.Aims
The Australian Curriculum: Civics and Citizenship aims to ensure students develop:a lifelong sense of belonging to and engagement with civic life as an active and informed citizen in the context of Australia as a secular democratic nation with a dynamic, multicultural, multi-faith society and a Christian heritage
Structure
The Years 7–10 Australian Curriculum: Civics and Citizenship is organised into two interrelated strands: civics and citizenship knowledge and understanding, and civics and citizenship inquiry and skills.PDF documents
Resources and support materials for the Australian Curriculum: Civics and Citizenship are available as PDF documents.Civics and Citizenship: Sequence of content 7-10
Civics and Citizenship: Sequence of achievement 7-10
Glossary
Year 7
Year 7 Level Description
The Year 7 curriculum provides a study of the key features of Australia’s system of government and explores how this system aims to protect all Australians. Students examine the Australian Constitution and how its features, principles and values shape Australia’s democracy. They look at how the rights of individuals are protected through the justice system. Students also explore how Australia’s secular system of government supports a diverse society with shared values.
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 followingkey questions:
- How is Australia’s system of democratic government shaped by the Constitution?
- What principles of justice help to protect the individual’s rights to justice in Australia’s system of law?
- How is Australia a diverse society and what factors contribute to a cohesive society?
Year 7 Content Descriptions
Questioning and research
Analysis, synthesis and interpretation
Problem-solving and decision-making
Communication and reflection
Year 7 Achievement Standards
By the end of Year 7, students explain features of Australia’s Constitution, including the process for constitutional change. They explain how Australia’s legal system is based on the principle of justice. Students explain the diverse nature of Australian society and identify the importance of shared values in promoting a cohesive society.
When researching, students develop a range of questions and gather and analyse information from different sources to investigate Australia’s political and legal systems. They consider different points of view on civics and citizenship issues. When planning for action, students take into account multiple perspectives to develop solutions to an issue. Students develop and present arguments on civics and citizenship issues using appropriate texts, terms and concepts. They identify ways they can be active and informed citizens.