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Social Studies

  • 20th Century World History 12

    Prerequisite: Social Studies 10 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 principal 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. Assessement is through essays, presentations, primary source material interpreetation, debates, reserach projects, and shorter assignments.
  • AP Comparative Government & Politics 12

    Prerequisite: Social Studies 10. This course challenges students to compare and contrast the current governing systems of six core countries: the United Kingdom, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, China, and Iran. The course also focuses on foundational 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 respective relationships to the global community. *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 European History 12

    Prerequisite: Social Studies 10. AP European History is a first year university-level course that 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. *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 12

    Prerequisite: Social Studies 10 Human Geography is the study of the spatial distribution of cultural, economic, urban, and 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. *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 Macroeconomics 12

    Prerequisite: Social Studies 10, Foundations of 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 college credit or placement in a second-year course at some institutions.
  • BC First Peoples 12

    Prerequisite: Social Studies 10 BC First Peoples 12 invites students to learn alongside one another and their teacher in ways that privilege and embody First Peoples principles of learning. With this disposition in mind, students will explore the histories of Indigenous peoples in BC, rich forms of cultural expression and contemporary political and legal issues. We will learn about self-governance, Indigenous leadership and activism, and ongoing efforts to resist colonialism. Students will emerge from this course understanding the roles and responsibilities of every Canadian to effect reconciliation. We hope to empower students to take part in this work. As a blended course with in-person, online and hands-on components, this course will place emphasis on social interconnectedness and experiential learning. This course meets the BC Indigenous-focussed graduation requirement.
  • Ethics 8

    Prerequisite: Social Studies 7 Ethics 8 is designed to have students be thoughtful and reflective in examining who they are and to empower them to be more deliberate in the choices they make. Students will learn ethical dilemma paradigms and resolution principles and apply them to real-life scenarios. Once students have learned a framework with which to practise making ethical decisions, students engage in debate about current political and social policy issues.
  • Law Studies 12

    Prerequisite: Social Studies 10 Law Studies 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. Course content includes foundational legal principles and political structures, constitutional, criminal and civil law. This course allows students to become legally literate citizens, who can clearly express their ideas and argue effectively based on the law and the evidence while considering opposing views. Methods of evaluation focus on demonstration of knowledge, and then application to demonstrate understanding.
  • Philosophy 12

    Prerequisite: Social Studies 10. Philosophy 12 introduces and allows students to explore and deeply think about a variety of theories on the following topics: Logic, Metaphysics, Epistemology, Morality, political thought and contemporary and social justice issues. Students will engage with thinkers and schools of thought from across time and from across the world with a focus on deciphering the implications of an argument. Class discussion will be stressed as well as traditional forms of tests and short assignments. Additionally, students will focus on applying their learning in constructing dialogues, student presentations and a culminating final project.
  • Social Justice 12

    Prerequisite: Social Studies 10 Social Justice 12 aims to empower students to understand how they might contribute to building a more just and equitable world. Simultaneously, students will engage with the question, famously expressed by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whether the trajectory human rights is a linear progression towards greater justice. Students will explore contemporary advocacy for greater equality and analyze the institutional and online forums in which those actions occur. Students will understand how these problems arise and consider what can, should and should not be done to address and mitigate the harmful effects of discrimination. Students will have the ability to explore issues and topics that are of personal and intellectual interest.
  • Social Studies 10

    Prerequisite: Social Studies 9. In Social Studies 10, students learn about Canadian historical events in the context of 20th century global conflicts while analyzing how these events are powerful forces in shaping our contemporary world. Through learning about discriminatory systems and policies, students will also consider how historical and contemporary injustices challenge the singular narrative that Canada is an inclusive multicultural society. This course incorporates history, law, government, and geography. Students will hone their critical thinking skills, their historical thinking skills, academic research, oral and written skills.
  • Social Studies 8

    Prerequisite: Social Studies 7 During the years 600 to 1750 CE, contacts and conflicts between peoples stimulated dramatic cultural, political, and social changes. In Social Studies 8, students learn how and why these processes of exploration, expansion, and colonization had varying consequences for different groups. In this course students will integrate the disciplines of geography, history, politics, and law and develop an understanding of the historical significance of key events in the medieval and early modern societies of Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East. This course emphasizes students' development of their communication, reading, research, and historical thinking skills in order to become stronger critical thinkers.
  • Social Studies 9

    Prerequisite: Social Studies 8 Social Studies 9 focusses on the transition to the modern world, which saw many advances in science, technology, politics, individual rights, and the economy; however, students will also examine who benefitted from these changes and who was left out. By looking at significant events in the world during the period of 1750-1900, this course will chart the causes and consequences of modernity in Europe, covering the events of the Enlightenment, the French Revolution, Napoleon, and the Industrial Revolution. We will then investigate the colonization of Canada and explore colonialism's impacts on Indigenous peoples, through events such as the formation of Canada in 1867 and the changing identity of Canada through increased immigration.

Faculty

With respect, we acknowledge that the land on which we learn, play, and work is the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xwməѲkwəyəm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səlílwəta/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.