Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

School: Education

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Humanities and Social Sciences Birth to 8 Years

• Unit Code

  HSS6170

• Year

  2019

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  2

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  Online

• Unit Coordinator

  Mrs Fiona BOYLAN

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Description

This unit focuses on high level knowledge of curriculum content and early childhood pedagogical practices for planning and implementing quality teaching and learning programs. Such programs develop the social science and humanities concepts, skills and processes associated with History, Geography and Civics & Citizenship in early childhood settings. Students will critique current curriculum documents that outline learning content and outcomes for all contexts across early childhood. The relationship between theory and practice for teaching and learning will be emphasised through critical analysis of programs and resources. Students will participate in practical workshop experiences to develop an understanding of the importance of first hand experiences, social interaction and guided inquiry in supporting young children's learning. Contemporary issues in the social sciences such as sustainability, social justice education and Indigenous studies will be investigated.

Prerequisite Rule

I81 students must complete ECE6130

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Expertly define Humanities and Social Science (HASS) education in early childhood and demonstrate a high level of understanding of and skill in planning for supporting the development of conceptual understandings, skills and processes in young children (0-8) with the intention of promoting active and informed citizenship.
2. Critically analyse research-based pedagogical frameworks and evaluate a range of differentiated teaching, learning and assessment strategies appropriate to inquiry-based learning.
3. Research and create programs for learning and teaching in HASS that reflect the theory and practice of inquiry-based, student centred, socially just, differentiated curriculum in early childhood settings.
4. Justify the inclusion of education for active and informed citizenship in early childhood education and create ways for engaging children in contributing to and participating in their communities and globally.
5. Evaluate a range of resources for teaching the concepts and skills of the Humanities and Social Science learning area.
6. Articulate the contribution HASS makes to education for Social and Environmental Sustainability, Intercultural understanding and promoting understanding and the histories and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Unit Content

1. Documents associated with preparing programs for children in birth to eight settings including the Australian Curriculum, the Western Australian P-10 Curriculum, The Early Years Learning Framework, The WA Kindergarten Curriculum Guidelines and the National Quality Standard.
2. Syllabus content for HASS for Years F-3.
3. Learning theory relevant to learning concepts, skills and values.
4. Contemporary research into effective pedagogies including inquiry-based models and approaches for teaching and learning the skills, concepts and values of the Social Sciences.
5. Learning and teaching strategies associated with inquiry-based approaches including play-based strategies and cooperative strategies.
6. ICT, print, web-based and context-based resources (people and places) and the integration of the skills and processes associated with information processing.
7. Templates and processes for the planning for and assessing of children's learning in the context of inquiry-based pedagogies.
8. Active and informed citizenship and strategies to support children in 'taking action'.
9. Contemporary issues and priorities in HASS including Sustainability Education, Social Justice Education and Indigenous Studies.

Learning Experience

ON-CAMPUS

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU Blackboard.

For more information see the Semester Timetable

ONLINE

Students will engage in learning experiences through ECU Blackboard as well as additional ECU learning technologies.

Additional Learning Experience Information

A combination of lectures, workshops, guest speakers, videos, required readings and group and individually assigned work are used to achieve the unit outcomes. Students are required to become independent learners, contributors in workshops and competent team members.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Core Reading(s)

• Murdoch, K. (2015). Murdoch, K., (2015). The power of inquiry: Teaching and learning with curiosity, creativity and purpose in the contemporary classroom. The power of inquiry: Teaching and learning with curiosity, creativity and purpose in the contemporary classroom. Seastar education. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/928513387

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