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Primary Humanities and Social Sciences Education unit (EMT593)

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Unit year 2026

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Location: Hobart, Online

Minimum enrolment number of 12 applies to this offering. Should enrolments not reach the minimum number required for on-campus study, students may be transferred to the on-line offering and advised of this change before semester commences.

Introduction

This unit introduces you to the Australian Curriculum: Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) in the primary school context, with a focus on how to effectively teach its content to students. You will explore key HASS pedagogies, such as using historical sources and conducting geographical fieldwork, alongside strategies for explicitly teaching content knowledge and skills. Through planning learning experiences and developing teaching resources aligned with the curriculum, you will build confidence in designing meaningful HASS lessons. The unit also deepens your understanding of research-informed best practices in HASS education, while further developing your research and communication skills.

Summary

Unit name Primary Humanities and Social Sciences Education
Unit code EMT593
Credit points 12.5
College/School Arts and Society
Faculty of Education
Discipline Education
Coordinator Doctor Bianca Coleman
Delivered By University of Tasmania
Level Postgraduate

Sustainable Development Goals

The Unit Coordinator has identified that this unit aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on the alignment of the unit with these goals.

Availability

Location Study period Attendance options Available to
Hobart Semester 2 This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
Online Semester 2 This unit is available through off-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
  • Key:
  • This unit is available through on-campus delivery On-campus
  • This unit is available through off-campus delivery Off-Campus
  • Available to International Students International students
  • Available to Domestic Students Domestic students
Note

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Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

Key Dates

Study Period Start date Census date WW date End date
Semester 2 5/7/2026 27/7/2026 30/8/2026 24/10/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

  • Design effective learning experiences for primary students (F-6) that are consistent with the Australian Curriculum: Humanities and Social Sciences.
  • Create learning resources which support primary students’ understanding of content and skills from the Australian Curriculum: Humanities and Social Sciences.
  • Evaluate lesson plans and teaching resources based on an understanding of the research evidence for effective teaching of Humanities and Social Sciences in the primary school.
  • Incorporate theoretical and professional literature to communicate ideas about teaching the Australian Curriculum: Humanities and Social Sciences in the primary school.

Fee Information

Field of Education Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 Domestic Full Fee 4
070103 $592.00 $592.00 not applicable $2,562.00
  • Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
  • HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility3
  • FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility4

1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Concurrent Prerequisites

EMT502

Teaching

AssessmentUnderstanding the Curriculum (20%)|Planning for Primary Geography (40%)|Planning for Primary History (40%)
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

Taylor, T., Fahey, C., Kriewaldt, J., & Boon, D. (2019). Place and time: Teaching history, geography and social sciences (2nd ed.). Pearson.  

Note: this text is available for a limited loan period from the University of Tasmania.  Further required readings will be made available to you via MyLO or via the University Library website.
Recommended

Allender, T. Clark, A., & Parkes, R. (Eds). (2019). Historical thinking for history teachers: A new approach to engaging students and developing historical consciousness. Allen & Unwin.  

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