INTEGRATED CURRICULUM

The humanities programme is structured around key integrated topics involving political, economic, historical, social, legal, and geographical aspects. Students will gain knowledge and understanding of cultures and environments as well as the essential research and analysis skills to develop and communicate their appreciation of humanity.

The following is an overview of topics studied and their content.

GRADE 8 HUMANITIES

1. Natural Environments / Biomes

• Biomes
• Deserts and grasslands
• Rainforest and temperate forests
• Tundra and Taiga
• Chaparral and coastal biomes

2. Natural hazards

• What are the major natural hazards?
• Volcanoes
• Earthquakes and Tsunamis
• Weather hazards

3. Colonialism – European global expansion

• Portuguese colonial Trade Ports
• Spanish colonial empire
• The Dutch East Indies
• Colonies of exploitation and settlement
• French and English world colonial empires

4. Imperialism – “empire for empire’s sake”

• Imperialism – a total world order based on Empires
• Reasons for imperialism
• Impact of imperialism

5. The Industrial Revolution

• Agricultural Revolution – the seeds of the Industrial Revolution
• Technological development and the Industrial Revolution
• Rural and urban life in 18th century ‘Great Britain’
• Key industries – cloth, coal and transportation

6. World War One – European Imperial Conflict

• Europe before WWI
• The cause of WWI
• Trench warfare and major battles
• The war at home
• Russia out, USA in 

7. Development

• What is development?
• Resources and development
• Trade, economics and development
• Relief and responsibility