Oxford Big Ideas Humanities 3 is a single year textbook that continues the exploration of key concepts and themes in History and Geography. In the History chapters questions about sustainability and diversity are explored through new topics, such as pollution, and case studies, such as the 2009 Melbourne earth tremors. The History chapters introduce new questions, framed by the big ideas of nations and societies, and examine topics including indigenous Australians, colonialism and nationalism.

Title overview (PDF)

For more information on Oxford Big Ideas titles visit www.oxfordbigideas.com

• Relates concepts back to the big ideas underpinning History and Geography
• Explicitly teaches Thinking Processes in conjunction with content via Fresh Ideas activities
• High interest photographs, illustrations, maps and authentic source materials
• Zooming in, Biography, Context, Ideology and Skills boxes broaden students’ understandings of important individuals and topics
• What do you know about …? question blocks throughout each chapter enable students to reflect on and consolidate their learning
• Big Ideas activity blocks at the end of each chapter use Bloom’s Taxonomy to cater for all learning styles
• Transferring Ideas spreads allow students to take their understanding from the chapter and apply it to a new context
• Student ebook on CD-ROM with enhanced search tools, editable question blocks and a refreshingly book-like look and feel
• FREE web delivered teacher support materials including worksheets, rubrics, IWB resources, Teaching programs, solutions/suggested responses. Passwords for teacher resources are provided to schools that booklist, purchase class sets or class hire Oxford Big Ideas textbooks. Passwords are available from your local Oxford representative.

Part 1: History
1.0 First Australians: What do we know about original inhabitants?
1.1 How do indigenous peoples understand their world?
1.2 How were indigenous cultures organised?
1.3 What impact did new arrivals have on indigenous societies?
1.4 What has modern investigation revealed about indigenous societies?
Transferring ideas: The Cheyenne

2.0 Colonisation: How do empires and colonies interact?
2.1 Why do empires establish colonies?
2.2 How are colonies populated?
2.3 Why do people settle in colonies?
2.4 How are colonies governed?
Transferring ideas: Colonial America

3.0 Nations and nationalism: What is the significance of national identity?
3.1 What is national identity?
3.2 How do people show their national identity?
3.3 How does national identity shape nations?
Transferring ideas: Ireland

Part 2: Geography
4.0 Geospatial skills and concepts: How can we understand our world?
4.1 Why do we study geographic patterns?
4.2 What helps us to find geographic patterns?
4.3 How do we describe and interpret geographic patterns?
Transferring ideas: Global population patterns

5.0 Tectonic hazards: How do people respond to natural hazards?
5.1 What causes tectonic hazards?
5.2 How do tectonic hazards affect people?
5.3 How can we predict and manage tectonic hazards?
Transferring ideas: Bushfires

6.0 Coasts: How do landscapes change over time?
6.1 What are the features of coastal landscapes?
6.2 What forces shape and change coastal landscapes?
6.3 How can coastal landscapes be protected?
Transferring ideas: Rivers

7.0 Pollution: How do we affect our environment?
7.1 What pollution issues is the world facing?
7.2 Why does pollution matter to our environment?
7.3 How can we reduce pollution?
Transferring ideas: TBC

8.0 Tourism: Are our industries sustainable?
8.1 What influences tourism trends?
8.2 What are the impacts of tourism?
8.3 How can tourism be made sustainable?
Transferring ideas: Agriculture

Associate Professor Tony Taylor has played a pivotal role in the shaping of history education in Australia. Previously Director of the National Inquiry into the Teaching and Learning of History, and National Centre for History Education, Tony is series editor of Oxford Big Ideas.
Geraldine Carrodus has taught History in Victorian schools for forty years and is currently teaching at Sacré Coeur.
Melissa Casley is an experienced teacher of History and is currently teaching at Gleneagles Secondary College.
Kirsty Leahy has taught Geography for over 8 years and currently teaches at Presbyterian Ladies’ College. Kirsty has also contributed to textbooks, activities for the DSE Atlas project and articles for GTAV.
John Ramsdale has taught for 37 years. In 2008, John was presented with the GTAV’s Award for Geographical Education in recognition of his contribution to the teaching of geography.
Richard Smith is presently the Director of Reporting & Assessment at Tintern Schools. He has taught for 31 years and has contributed to many textbooks and is past President of the HTAV.
Marianne Ward is Head of Geography at Presbyterian Ladies’ College. Marianne was previously a Project Officer with the GTAV and has contributed to many teacher and student resources.
Michael Spurr is a member of the Big Ideas team, Business Development Manager for Oxford University Press and an Adjunct Research Associate of the School of Historical Studies, Monash University. Before joining Oxford Michael was Executive Director of the History Teachers’ Association of Victoria.