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SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT
“History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. History is who we are and why we are the way we are.”
- David C. McCullough
MISSION
Social Studies courses encourage students to develop a thoughtful awareness of their world. Students are provided with opportunities to understand and appreciate the historical and geographic developments of a variety of cultures and civilizations, and to increase their awareness of local and global issues. Thoughtful learning experiences are provided to enable students to build effective communication skills including reading, writing, listening, and speaking as well as improving their ability to analyze and evaluate all sources of information, think and write critically and develop a reflective individual framework within which they can examine past and present events.
Social Studies 8
Prerequisite: Social Studies 7
In this course, there is an integration of the traditional social studies disciplines of geography and history. New geographic concepts are introduced and existing knowledge and skills are expanded in conjunction with an exploration of the medieval civilizations of Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The basic philosophies and ideas underlying the world’s major religions and traditions form a key part of this course. This will be followed by a study of Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries including an examination of Renaissance Art and the Scientific Revolution.
Textbooks: Across the Centuries, Canadian Oxford School Atlas
Social Studies 9
Prerequisite: Social Studies 8
Building on the themes developed in Grades 7 and 8, this course concludes the Western European history sequence, and covers the development of modern Europe from 1750-1860. Students also study the European exploration of North America with an emphasis on Canada to 1763 and Native nations present to that time.
Textbooks: Crossroads: A Meeting of Nations Community Canada, Canadian Oxford School Atlas
Ethics 9
Prerequisite: Social Studies 8
In every aspect of their lives, students are confronted with the pressure to make ethicall decisions. In this mandatory, trimestered course, students will be asked to enter into a conversation about the choices they make in their approach and resolution to ethical dilemmas at school, home, and within society. Course discussions are framed around current events issues, to provide students with the substance with which to recognize shared values, and to differentiate between decisions involving two moral ‘rights’ and those which present a ‘right’ choice and a ‘wrong’ choice. Debate and speaking have been incorporated into this course to encourage thoughtful reasoning and argumentation to help students critically examine the issues covered. There is no textbook for this course.
Social Studies 10
Prerequisite: Social Studies 9
This course consists of the history of Canada from 1763-1911 with emphasis on the development of the West, the building of Canada as a nation and Canada’s economic and political activities. The political philosophy as well as the practical functioning of Canada’s government system will be covered as well as selected topics in local history.
Textbooks: Horizons – Canada Moves West; Government: Participating in Canada
Social Studies 11*
Prerequisite: Social Studies 10
Concluding the Canadian history sequence, this course deals with contemporary Canada and world affairs from 1911 to the present. A variety of political systems and ideologies will be studied as students explore Canada and our role in the world during the twentieth century. Students will study worldwide social, economic and environmental issues as well as explore relevant current events.
Textbooks: SS11 Student Workbook, Canada – A Nation Unfolding, Changing Canada: Women, Counterpoints – Exploring Canadian Issues
*All students will write the Provincial Examination in June, which will count for 20% of their final grade.
Law 12
Prerequisite: Social Studies 10
Corequisite: Social Studies 11
Law 12 fosters skills and attitudes that enhance students’ abilities to address legal, social, and ethical issues and reflect critically on the role of law in society. The study of law also promotes the skills and abilities needed to clearly express ideas, argue effectively and logically, and accurately interpret the written word. Law 12 allows students to become legally literate citizens, who recognize and act upon their rights and responsibilities, understand fundamental legal principles, and apply their learning of law to their studies, future careers, and daily lives. Methods of evaluation in this course include research essays, trial simulations, case studies, and critical thinking exercises.
Textbook: All About Law (5th edition)
Comparative Civilizations 12
Prerequisite or Corequisite: Social Studies 11
This course defines civilization as the combination of society’s artistic, philosophical, political, social and economic developments. Western and Eastern civilizations from the time of Ancient Egypt to the Renaissance will be studied through an examination of intellectual and cultural trends of various periods of time.
Textbooks: Echoes from the Past: World History to the 16th century. A wide variety of audio-visual materials will also be utilized.
History 12**
Prerequisite: Social Studies 11
This course examines 20th century history from a global perspective. It incorporates the philosophy of the study of history with a critical understanding of the principle international events of the 20th century. It is a challenging and stimulating course as it provides the basis for an appreciation of the world the students live in today. Assessment is through essays, presentations, primary source material interpretation, debates, research projects, and shorter assignments.
Textbooks: History 12 Course Workbook, Twentieth Century History, The World This Century, Global Forces of the Twentieth Century, Map History of the Modern World
** Students are prepared to write the Provincial Examination that can count for 40% of their final grade. Students who choose not to write the Provincial Examination will be required to write an internal school examination to complete the course. The school examination will count for 25% of their school mark.
Geography 12**
Prerequisite: Socials 10
Corequisite: Socials 11
Geography 12 is the study of the physical, natural and human elements of the global environment. This course provides students with knowledge of physical and human geography by focusing on interrelationships. Part 1 of the course focuses on physical geography surveying the many processes taking place that shape our planet. Part 2 of the course involves the study of human impact on the environment. This includes assessing environmental impact, resource use and sustainability.
Textbooks: Geography 12 student workbook.
** Students are prepared to write the Provincial Examination that can count for 40% of their final grade. Students who choose not to write the Provincial Examination will be required to write an internal school examination to complete the course. The school examination will count for 25% of their school mark.
AP European History 12***
Prerequisite: Social Studies 11 and written permission of the instructor
Advanced Placement European History is a first year university-level course that is part of the international Advanced Placement program. Specifically, this course looks at the history of Europe from 1450 (High Renaissance) to the present. Special emphasis will be placed on the intellectual history, political and diplomatic activities, and cultural development of Europe during this 500+ year period. This is a challenging and demanding course that should especially interest students who wish to pursue a university concentration in the humanities.
Textbooks: The Western Heritage, A History of Civilization, Janson’s History of Art
***Students will write the AP Exam in May. Students will write the AP Subject Exam in order to receive AP Credit for their course work. A minimum score of 3 or higher may grant the student a college credit or placement in a second year course at some institutions.
AP Macroeconomics 12***(Grade 11 students require permission of the instructor)
Prerequisite: Socials 10, Math 10
The purpose of this course is to give students a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to an economic system as a whole. This course places particular emphasis on the study of national income and price determination, and also develops students’ familiarity with economic performance measures, economic growth, and international economics. Five essential topics are examined: (1) basic economic concepts; (2) measurement of economic performance; (3) national income and price determination; (4) economic growth; and (5) international finance, exchange rates, and balance of payments. This course is recommended for students wishing to pursue commerce, business, or engineering studies at university.
***Students will write the AP Subject Exam in May in order to receive AP Credit for their course work. A minimum score of 3 or higher may grant the student a college credit or placement in a second year course at some institutions.
AP Human Geography***
Prerequisite: Socials 10 (Grade 11 students require permission of the Department)
Human Geography is the study of the spatial distribution of cultural, economic, urban, demographic phenomena on the Earth. Topics include population, demographics, migration, cultural geography, political geography, urban and rural landscapes, economic development, as well as the impact of globalization at various scales (local, regional, national, global). Students will complete in class exams, take home assignments and some field work.
Textbooks: Human Geography: People, Place and Culture 8th ed.; assigned readings by the instructor
***Students will write the AP Subject Exam in May in order to receive AP Credit for their course work. A minimum score of 3 or higher may grant the student a college credit or placement in a second year course at some institutions.
AP Comparative Government and Politics***
Prerequisite: Socials 10
Advanced Placement Comparative Government introduces students to the governing systems of six core countries: The United Kingdom, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, China and Iran. Building on this analytical basis, students examine the interplay between political institutions, the international community and its citizens. The course also focuses on broad political concepts such as sovereignty, democratization and globalization. An emphasis is placed on current events in each of these countries as well as on their relationship to the global community.
Textbooks: Comparative Politics: Domestic Responses to Global Challenges, Study Guide: AP Comparative Government and Politics and assigned readings by the instructor.
***Students will write the AP Subject Exam in May in order to receive AP Credit for their course work. A minimum score of 3 or higher may grant the student a college credit or placement in a second year course at some institutions.
International Studies 11 - Model United Nations
Prerequisite: Permission from instructors
International Studies (a Board Authorized course) consist of the study of the United Nations, modern international relations, and contemporary global issues. While examining these topics, the students develop the skills of negotiation, public speaking, debate and conflict resolution. Through work completed throughout the year, students earn a place on a delegation that participates at a major high school Model United Nations Conference. Students who attend the International conference are expected to assume the costs of travel and accommodation.
This course is offered outside the timetable. In order to meet the course requirements, students meet as a group at least once per week between October and May. Attendance is mandatory in order for students to obtain credit.
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