HSC Society and Culture study plan

HSC Society and Culture · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 6 hours per week

Week 1

Social and Cultural Continuity and Change

Define continuity and change in your own words and distinguish them with three original examples
Map the core concepts of social and cultural change (evolution, diffusion, innovation, acculturation) into a labelled concept diagram
Identify two theories of social change and summarise each in 100 words without notes

A one-page concept map plus a 200-word written explanation of continuity and change with three original examples

Week 2

Explain how technology, migration and globalisation each drive change, using a separate example for each
Compare resistance to change versus acceptance of change using two contrasting case studies you construct yourself
Apply the concepts of continuity and change to one Australian or global society you know well

A comparative table of two self-written case studies (drivers versus resistors of change) with a 150-word analysis

Week 3

Consolidate Domain 1 by writing a timed 25-mark response under exam conditions
Define socialisation, agents of socialisation and identity, and distinguish personal from social identity
List the main agents of socialisation and rank their influence with justification

A timed Domain 1 extended response (25 marks, 45 minutes) with a self-marked criteria checklist

Week 4

Analyse how gender, class, ethnicity and age shape identity, using one example per factor
Evaluate two theories of identity development and state which explains your own identity better
Construct a case study of an individual or group whose identity changed across life stages

A 400-word identity case study applying at least three concepts and two theories

Week 5

Define intercultural communication and distinguish it from cross-cultural comparison
Explain how ethnocentrism, cultural relativism and stereotype affect communication, with one example each
Analyse a communication breakdown scenario you write yourself, identifying cause and remedy

A 300-word analysis of a self-written intercultural miscommunication scenario with a concept glossary

Week 6

Sit a timed Domain 3 response and self-mark against syllabus criteria
Select your Depth Study option and justify the choice in relation to the four depth study areas
Draft a Depth Study outline linking the chosen topic to at least two core concepts

A Depth Study proposal (topic, rationale, two linked concepts, three research questions) plus a marked Domain 3 response

Week 7

Research and synthesise evidence for the Depth Study from at least four credible sources
Apply two relevant theories or concepts to the Depth Study topic
Draft the Depth Study response to near-exam length and annotate where evidence is used

A full Depth Study draft (approximately 800 words) with an annotated source list of four sources

Week 8

Revise all four domains using spaced retrieval, writing key definitions from memory
Complete two full past-paper-style responses under timed conditions across different domains
Refine the Depth Study draft using feedback and finalise a one-page summary sheet per domain

Four one-page domain summary sheets, two timed responses, and a finalised Depth Study

Week 2: Can explain continuity and change with three original examples and two theories from memory in under 10 minutes

Week 4: Domain 1 timed response completed and self-marked at 70% or above on the criteria checklist

Week 6: Depth Study topic approved with rationale and research questions, and Domain 3 response self-marked

Week 8: All four domains summarised on one page each, and Depth Study finalised with sources annotated