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 8
Year 8 Level Description
The Year 8 curriculum provides a study of the responsibilities and freedoms of citizens and how Australians can actively participate in their democracy. Students consider how laws are made and the types of laws used in Australia. Students also examine what it means to be Australian by identifying the reasons for and influences that shape national identity.
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 are the freedoms and responsibilities of citizens in Australia’s democracy?
- How are laws made and applied in Australia?
- What different perspectives are there about national identity?