Social Studies

SOCIAL STUDIES 8

In this foundational course, students will examine the rise and fall of several major civilizations while developing their understanding of diverse cultures from around the world.  Students will examine the development of civilizations and cultures from the 7^th century to 18^th century including those in Europe, Latin America, Africa, China, Japan, and the Arab World.  Themes such as imperialism, militarism, expansion, and colonization will be used to address political, social and cultural change, and to explore the relationship between humans and the natural environment.  Students will develop their ability to assess documents (writings, drawings, records), to research and investigate through inquiry, to think critically and creatively, and to work successfully in diverse groups.

SOCIAL STUDIES 9

Students will study how emerging ideas and ideologies changed the landscape of Europe, North America and around the globe, impacting political, social and economic landscapes. Global revolutions and rebellions are a major topic of interest, and we will examine the ways in which these impacted different social groups. Migration and colonization will be further explored, as well as its impact these had on First Peoples cultures and worldviews.  Students will analyse how Canadian economic, political, and social development is influenced by the physical environment and physiographic regions, while also looking at the development of Canada as a nation.  Students will study the first fifty years after Confederation, and how that impacted our relationship with First Peoples, as well as American and European contacts.  This content is interwoven with the key skills students will need to look critically at our changing world, such as document analysis, map interpretation, synthesizing ideas and defending opinions.

SOCIAL STUDIES 10

Social Studies 10 is an important and engaging course that is divided into the study of politics, 20^th century global history, and human and physical geography.  Students will build on skills learned in grade 8 and 9 to develop a greater understanding of more difficult and abstract ideas that have impacted Canada over the last one hundred years. Many of the problems of the modern world, such as climate change, economic disparity, and political and social turmoil are examined through our study of key changes in the 20^th century.  Students will study political institutions and ideologies, First Peoples self-governance, and the global struggle for human rights.  Students will look at global affairs including World Wars, the Cold War, and decolonization and resistance movements.  Last, students will examine issues related to demography, economic inequality, living standards around the world, and the interaction between humans and the environment.

SOCIAL STUDIES ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Throughout the junior and senior curriculum, students will be invited to partake in
various opportunities Enrichment opportunities designed to inspire, challenge, and
stretch students by exposing them to different perspectives, worldviews, and
experiential learning activities.
School–wide Social Studies enrichment opportunities include, but are not limited to:
• Workshops and visiting speakers, artists, and performers
• School clubs like Model United Nations and Social Justice groups
• Field Experiences
In the senior grades, students may elect to challenge themselves with specific enrichment AP courses.

SENIOR SOCIAL STUDIES ELECTIVE COURSES

EXPLORATIONS IN SOCIAL STUDIES 11

Explorations 11 is an introduction to the different senior electives that are offered in Social Studies.
The course will focus on three to four topics of interest including Social Justice, Political Studies, and
Environmental Issues. Students will look at issues related to equity and diversity and learn about
issues and problems facing communities around the world. They will also look at the history of
political thought and ideologies, as well as different governments systems around the world. Last,
students will look at the basics of physical and human geography, including a study of pressing
environmental issues facing both humans and the natural world.

BC FIRST PEOPLES 12

This is a hands–on, experiential course where students will have field trips and engage with Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and Elders as students learn more about the cultures of First Peoples in B.C. and around the world. We will explore how Indigenous cultures are renewed, sustained, and transformed through their connection to land through topics that related to Indigenous identities, worldviews, artforms, and languages. Last, we will study the past and current impacts of colonialism, as well as the diversity and resiliency of First Nation through study of resistance, decolonization, and cultural revitalization. Students will consider multiple perspectives regarding community development and consider ways that Indigenous traditional knowledge and worldviews can help guide us forwards in this changing world. This course meets the Indigenous–focused coursework requirement.

20th CENTURY WORLD HISTORY 12

This course looks at the major events of the 20th century, from a global perspective and lens. Students will look
at global conflicts, events, and cultural movements beginning in World War I, and continuing on to today.
Students will use inquiry and critical thinking skills to compare and contrast the different impacts on religion, culture, and society that arose as a result of these conflicts, and how human rights, social inequity, and religious persecution resulted from many of the authoritarian regimes that arose in the last 100 years. Students will also look at the impact technology and globalization has had on the world and its people.

GENOCIDE STUDIES 12

This course looks at the causes, events and impacts of genocide through the study of historical and contemporary case studies.  Students will explore the social, political, economic, and cultural conditions for genocide to occur and how those spheres are impacted by the intentional attempt to eradicate groups of people.  Students will look at genocide from multiple perspectives and lenses, and critically assess why such events take place despite active attempts to prevent them. Global and regional influences will be examined, with the goal of seeing that local conflicts often involve or influence on a much larger scale the Earth as a whole; the impact of technology on the size and scale of genocide will also be examined.

LAW STUDIES 12

The course will provide a comprehensive introduction to law and the legal process, particularly as they relate to the Canadian justice system.  In addition to discussing the basic components of the law, the course will explore some of the major legal issues facing Canadians, including the parole system, young offenders and juvenile justice, and constitutional rights under the Charter.  Field trips, guest speakers, films, and documentaries all add to the course.  Students will analyze actual legal cases utilizing decision making techniques with their legal knowledge to determine case outcomes.  Students will also look at the correctional system, and they will analyze the history of law in Canada as it pertains to such things as past social injustices, and ethical decision making.

PSYCHOLOGY 12 (BAA Course)

Psychology 12 is a course on human behaviour and basic concepts in modern psychology.  This course covers the five major psychological domains: methods, bio-psychological, cognitive, developmental, and socio-economic domain.  This course is recommended for those students who have an interest in Psychology and wish to pursue it further at a post-secondary institution.  The focus of this course is to develop students’ abilities with critical thinking, essay writing, research and experimental methods, academic reading, and oral presentations.

AP PSYCHOLOGY 12

The AP Psychology course introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of human
behavior and mental process. While considering the studies that have shaped the field,
students explore and apply psychological theories, key concepts, and phenomenon associated
with major units of study, including biological basis of behavior, cognition, development,
learning, social psychology, personality and mental and physical health. Throughout the
course, students apply psychological concepts and employ psychological research methods
and data interpretation to evaluate claims, consider evidence, and effectively communicate
ideas. Students in AP Psychology will learn about theories that apply to themselves, their relationships, the influence of peers, how technology and stress impact the brain, parenting styles, how one’s environment shapes personality and many other aspects of human, societal and cultural behaviour.

HOLOCAUST STUDIES 12-BAA

Holocaust Studies will cover a range of topics including the history of antisemitism, the Nazi regime, and
the impact of the Holocaust on the present day. The course will also examine the experiences of victims,
the motives of perpetrators, and the responses of governments and international organizations to this
genocide. Last, students will discuss the importance of speaking out against bigotry and indifference.

HUMAN GEOGRAPHY 12/AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

This course is designed to help students understand the interconnected relationship between humans and the natural environment. Students will study topics like population, migration, language, world religions, geopolitical conflicts, urban studies, and economic development. They also learn about the sophisticated technology and tools geographers use to investigate and organize data and information. Students will investigate case studies and currents events from around the world and engage in field experiences and experiential learning. Students can receive 8 credits for this course by also taking AP Human Geography 12.

URBAN STUDIES 12: Film, Art and the City

Students will start by examining how cities have impacted human life since urbanization began thousands of years ago, and the course will end with a study of “Cites of the Future”. Over the course of the semester, students will look at the connection between cities and cultural expression – including art, food, resistance, and public spaces. We will look at the ways in which artforms, media and film showcase the development and dynamics of cities, as well as different ways that cities are managed and governed. We will also look at the ways in which cities can be centres for sustainable development and design. Students will engage in field trips and experiential learning throughout our local urban spaces, to bring the curriculum to life).

AP AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES 12