Inquiry in the Humanities and Social Sciences Classroom
UndergraduateCUR-EDP3732025
Explore the key content and teaching strategies of the humanities for primary school students. Study history, geography, economics, business, and civics and citizenship, all centred around an inquiry approach to learning.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 23 Nov 2025
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Start dates
- 2 June 2025,
- 1 Dec 2025
- Price from
- $666
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Inquiry in the Humanities and Social Sciences Classroom
About this subject
At the completion of this subject students will be able to:
- evaluate key HASS content and concepts
- develop resources and implement pedagogical strategies suitable for school students to improve engagement and learning in the HASS area
- develop instruction and assessment for the HASS area with an emphasis on inquiry learning and curriculum integration
- appraise the importance of values and civics in the curriculum
- appraise contested histories and develop strategies for including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives when teaching HASS
- What is HASS?
- Approaches to teaching HASS: Social justice and the democratic classroom
- Ways of Teaching: History
- Ways of Teaching: Exploring Indigenous history and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives
- Planning HASS: Integration and the HASS Curriculum
- Planning HASS: Inquiry learning
- Ways of Teaching: Geography
- Ways of Teaching: Civics and Citizenship
- Ways of Teaching: Economics and Business
- Ways of Teaching: Assessment in HASS, Incursions and excursions
- Approaches to teaching HASS: Building sustainable communities, developing empathy
This subject was previously known as Inquiry in the Humanities Classroom.
This subject introduces each of the HASS discipline areas and the pedagogy and theory – including inquiry learning and curriculum integration – which can assist students to develop teaching, learning and assessment strategies for HASS in the Primary classroom. Students will explore the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values that enable children to become active and informed citizens as they connect with their local and global communities. Students will reflect on the role of the educator as a global citizen. Through the thematic of contested histories, they will explore how difference – cultural and otherwise – is valued and respected in the HASS classroom; and how that can empower children from diverse backgrounds, while laying the basis for sustainable communities.
Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the Academic Integrity module.
- Analytical Essay (50%)
- Inquiry Project (50%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
Part of a degree
To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:
Core
- CUR-SGE-DEG-2025 - Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education) (Humanities and Social Sciences Education - Geography)
- CUR-BED-DEG-2025 - Bachelor of Education (Primary Education)
Elective
- CUR-FAST-DEG-2025 - Fast track your Curtin on campus study
Prior study
You must either have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject, or currently be enrolled in the following subject(s) in a prior study period; or enrol in the following subject(s) to study prior to this subject:
one of
CUR-EDC171 (Not currently available)
- CUR-EDC175-Educators Inquiring About the World
Please note that your enrolment in this subject is conditional on successful completion of these prerequisite subject(s). If you study the prerequisite subject(s) in the study period immediately prior to studying this subject, your result for the prerequisite subject(s) will not be finalised prior to the close of enrolment. In this situation, should you not complete your prerequisite subject(s) successfully you should not continue with your enrolment in this subject. If you are currently enrolled in the prerequisite subject(s) and believe you may not complete these all successfully, it is your responsibility to reschedule your study of this subject to give you time to re-attempt the prerequisite subject(s).
Equivalent subjects
You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:
CUR-EDP315 (Not currently available)
Others
You don't have to enrol in this subject if you have completed EDP315 Society and Environment Education as they are considered equivalents.
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Student feedback
5 student respondents between 19 Aug 2024 - 24 Feb 2025.
100%of students felt the study load was manageable
80%of students felt this subject helped them gain relevant skills
Related degrees
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Bachelor of Education (Primary Education)
UndergraduateCUR-BED-DEG
Fast track your Curtin on campus study
UndergraduateCUR-FAST-DEG