Rationale

Rationale

In a world of increasing global integration and international mobility, it is critical to the wellbeing and sustainability of the environment and society that young Australians develop a holistic understanding of the world. This requires deep knowledge and understanding of why the world is the way it is and the interconnections between people, places and environments over place and time. 

The Australian Curriculum: Geography empowers students to shape change for a socially just and sustainable future. Geography inspires curiosity and wonder about the diversity of the world’s places, peoples, cultures and environments. Through a structured way of exploring, analysing and understanding the characteristics of the places that make up our world, Geography enables students to question why the world is the way it is, and reflect on their relationships with and responsibilities for that world.

Geography teaches students to respond to questions in a geographically distinctive way; plan inquiries; collect, evaluate, analyse and interpret information; and suggest responses to what they have learnt. Geography provides students with opportunities to develop a wide range of general skills, capabilities and dispositions that can be applied in everyday life and at work. The subject helps students to develop information and communication technology skills; an appreciation and respect for social, cultural and religious diversity and different perspectives; an understanding of ethical research principles; a capacity for teamwork; and an ability to solve problems and to think critically and creatively.

Geography helps students to be regional and global citizens capable of active and ethical participation.