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Year 9 - 10 Commerce Selection

Overview
The study of Commerce aims to enable young people to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills to research and develop solutions to consumer, financial, legal, business and employment issues in order to make informed and responsible decisions as individuals and as part of the community.

Rationale
The study of Commerce at St Aloysius’ College has been an integral part of the education of our students in Years 9 and 10. As one of the most popular and practical elective subjects, Commerce provides students with “the knowledge, skills, understanding and values that form the foundation on which young people make sound decisions on consumer, business, legal and employment issues” (Commerce Syllabus, page 8).

In the development of the Commerce curriculum at St Aloysius’ College, the dynamic nature of the commercial world, and the specific context within which Commerce is studied led to a program that was based on:

1. Equipping students with a sound understanding of commercial and legal processes and competencies for personal financial management are essential in empowering them with life skills that will enable them to make informed and responsible commercial decisions well after their time at school has been completed; and
2. Forming the basis of learning in Business Studies, Legal Studies and Economics in Years 11 and 12. The majority of students that attend University after leaving school at St Aloysius’ College will enter into a degree in a Business, Legal or Economics related field, regardless of whether they have studied these 3 subjects in Years 11 or 12.

The emphasis is on experiential learning, as educational research shows that the engagement of students in the learning process is best met through teaching/learning programs that provide boys with hands on experiences that relate theory to its practical application. The Commerce Syllabus provides myriad opportunities for such experiences to take place both within the classroom, and through a range of innovative assessment tools.

Year 9 Topics			Year 10 Topics
Consumer Choice	Why did I buy this? The hidden persuaders Factors influencing consumers Use of credit		Our Economy	Economic Links The business cycle Interest rates Inflation Current economic Issues
Promoting and Selling	Product differentiation Targeting customers Applying selling techniques Personal Finance		Employment Issues	Types of Employment and contracts Unemployment and workplace relations Unions and employer groups Taxation and superannuation
Personal Finance	Spending and saving income Borrowing money Managing finances Investing money	1	Law and Society	The legal framework Policing society Crime and Punishment penalties and fines Criminal casesUsing the legal system Changing the law
Investing	Investing Investment options Investment Planning Current Issues		Running a Business	Being and entrepreneur Planning for success Business operations Selling products Maintaining records
E-Commerce	The Scope of E-Commerce The E-Commerce user E-Commerce protection issues Financial services Workplace issues

Skills Developed

collecting, analysing and organising information
communicating ideas and information
planning and organising activities
working with others and in teams
complex problem solving
using mathematical ideas and techniques
competence in using technology.

Assessment

Year 9 Assessment	Year 10 Assessment
Research Task - Consumer Choice Group Assignment - Promoting and Selling ASX Simulation Game - Investing Year 9 Exam	Research Task - Employment Relations In-Class Questions - Our Economy Year 10 Semester One Exam Project - Small Business Plan Research Task - Law in Society

Contact details: Greg.Duggan@staloysius.nsw.edu.au

Further information: http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_sc/commerce.html