Standard English Module C: Texts and Society
According to the Standard English Module C: Texts and Society, students are expected to ‘explore and analyse texts used in a specific situation.’ Quite often, texts focus on a particular event or issue. The Board of Studies wants students to be able to identify key information about how these specific texts convey bigger ideas about bodies of knowledge, attitudes and belief systems that influence particular areas of society.
From the HSC English Prescriptions:
This module requires students to explore and analyse texts used in a specific situation. It assists students’ understanding of the ways that texts communicate information, ideas, bodies of knowledge, attitudes and belief systems in ways particular to specific areas of society.
Elective 1: Exploring Interactions
One of the biggest concepts that HSC students are asked to internalise is the notion of context. This can be a time in history or a place in a particular culture or society. Over time things change and in different places or different groups people see the world differently. Through the study of a specific text, students look at how these specific contexts are conveyed through communication which has the power to ‘shape, challenge or transform attitudes and beliefs, identities and behaviours.’ The types of contexts that you would look at might be in the ‘home, cultural, friendship and sporting groups, the workplace and the digital world.’ Remember to use these keywords in your essays and also to think about how perceptions about oneself, others, society and relationships are affected by differing contexts.
From the HSC English Prescriptions:
In this elective, students explore and analyse a variety of texts that portray the ways in which individuals live, interact and communicate in a range of social contexts. These contexts may include the home, cultural, friendship and sporting groups, the workplace and the digital world. Through exploring their prescribed text and texts of their own choosing, students consider how acts of communication can shape, challenge or transform attitudes and beliefs, identities and behaviours. In their responding and composing, students develop their understanding of how the social context of individuals’ interactions can affect perceptions of ourselves and others, relationships and society.
Elective 2: Exploring Transitions
This elective shares similarities with Exploring Interactions in the sense
of its focus on context but it is important to note that this module also has some key differences. Whereas the other elective in this module looks at more of the external factors associated with texts and society, Exploring Transitions examines more of the internal issues associated with change. This doesn’t mean that you ignore the external factors, it just means that the elective has a slightly different focus and understanding the focus will help you develop a strong coherent argument in your essay. This elective looks at what it means when an individual transitions into another part of their life which can often mean going to new places or in other words social contexts. The keywords to focus on for this elective are ‘challenging, confronting, exciting or transformative … growth, change’ and ‘consequences.’ The main thrust of this elective is about changing how an individual sees the world due to the acquisition of new knowledge and experiences.
From the HSC English Prescriptions:
In this elective, students explore and analyse a variety of texts that portray the ways in which individuals experience transitions into new phases of life and social contexts. These transitions may be challenging, confronting, exciting or transformative and may result in growth, change and a range of consequences for the individual and others. Through exploring their prescribed text and other related texts of their own choosing, students consider how transitions can result in new knowledge and ideas, shifts in attitudes and beliefs, and a deepened understanding of the self and others. Students respond to and compose a range of texts that expand our understanding of the experience of venturing into new worlds.
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