Commerce

A NESA Elective

Course Description

The Commerce 7–10 Syllabus enables students to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills that form the foundation for making sound decisions about consumer, financial, economic, business, legal, political and work matters. Students develop the ability to research information, apply problem-solving strategies, foster an entrepreneurial mindset and evaluate options to make informed and responsible decisions as individuals and members of society.

The Commerce course at Newington has been developed to reflect the interests and the needs of all students and is continuously revised to meet changes in the commercial environment. Emphasis is given to areas and issues of current importance and interest in Australian society. Students learn about consumer, financial, economic, business, legal, political and work concepts and issues. They are provided with the opportunity to develop their research, communication, decision-making and problem-solving skills. Students develop an understanding of the role of government and the law and are equipped to make well-informed decisions in their personal and professional lives as members of a democratic society.

Studying Business in Year 8 is not a prerequisite for choosing Year 9 Commerce. They are two separate courses. Students will not be disadvantaged by not having studied Business in Year 8.

Year 9 Focus

The consumer and financial environment (core)

The business environment (core)

Running a business/Promoting and selling

Key areas of study:

• Our role as consumers in Australia, the impact of advertising and marketing and the nature of consumer protection
• The skills required to be an entrepreneur, the key functions involved in running a business and an introduction to accounting
• Personal financial management including budgeting, borrowing, insurance and negotiating the financial system
• Promotion and selling – examining how businesses communicate with and promote to their target markets

The Year 9 course promotes the development of analytical and problem-solving skills in students, and takes a structured approach to helping students improve their written communication skills.

Year 10 Focus

The economic environment (core)

The legal and political environment (core)

The work environment (core)

Investing

Key areas of study:

• The nature of work, types of employment, taxation and legal issues in the workplace
• The methods, risks and returns from investing. This includes participation in the ASX Online Stockmarket game and preparation of a comprehensive investment plan
• An overview of the structure and key issues affecting the Australian economy, including inflation, unemployment, economic growth, interest rates and exchange rates
• The role and function of law in Australian society
• An analysis of the effect of globalisation on the commercial environment

The Year 10 course builds on the analytical and problem-solving foundations established in Year 9, while extending students’ ability to communicate their ideas in more sustained and sophisticated forms. There is a stronger emphasis on developing essay writing skills, with students learning to construct clear arguments, integrate evidence and examples, and respond effectively to extended-response questions.

Assessment

Commerce is assessed in Years 9 and 10 through a variety of different techniques including group work, presentations, problem-solving activities, independent research and formal examinations. Additionally, Commerce provides a valuable grounding for the study of Economics and/or Business Studies for the Higher School Certificate, or Economics for the IB although it is not a prerequisite for either.