The Humanities Learning Area at Damascus College aims to develop in students an understanding of society. Humanities includes the study of history, geography and commerce, these subjects provide our students with a broad understanding of the world in which they live, and how people can participate as active and informed citizens with high-level skills needed for the 21st century.

In Year 7 students are introduced to the Damascus and Mercy values and study Australian Identity in Civics and Citizenship. These topics fit in beautifully with their introduction to Damascus College and the Year 7 camp that was held early in Term 1. Year 8 students continue to look at Landform and Landscapes in Geography and then Megacities.

In Year 9 the students investigate the Industrial Revolution of the 17 and 1800’s. They recently visited Sovereign Hill to see how the Industrial Revolution impacted the Goldfields in such a short time - what took 150 years or so in England and Europe changed the course of Ballarat in the space of about 5 years! On this excursion the students learnt how the miners changed the town by using their knowledge from overseas to implement these industrial changes to make mining easier and more lucrative.

The Year 10 students have finished investigating Careers work, resumes and cover letters, ready for Work Experience in term 2. They are studying the well-being of Australia in Geography and have recently learnt more about WWII in History by borrowing a WWII Memorial Box from the Australian War Memorial. The box contained objects from WWII such as uniforms, money, newspapers, helmets and medals giving the students the opportunity to handle these items and even try on some of the pieces. They then conducted research to find out more information about several of the items.

Humanities in VCE includes studying Criminal and Civil law in Legal Studies and Entrepreneurship and Business models in Business Management. In Year 11 Geography the students investigate Hazards and Disaster while Year 12 Geography includes a field work report into the changing landscape of Ballarat West. In History the Year 11 students investigate the causes of WWII while Year 12 study Revolutions in the USA and Russia.

At Damascus we believe that by studying Humanities students will develop the ability to question, think critically, solve problems, communicate effectively, make decisions and adapt to change. All very important skills to have as our student’s complete their schooling at Damascus College and make their way out into the world beyond.