SOCIAL SCIENCES
Students must complete three credits of Social Science in Division IV.
A. Compulsory Social Studies 10 or History 10 or
Choose 1 of: Native Studies 10 or Social Studies 11
Usually taken during grade 10
B. Choose 1 of: Law 30 or Psychology 30 or History 20
or Psychology 20 or Social Studies 20
Usually taken during grade 11
C. Canadian Studies History 30 or Social Studies 30 or Social
Choose 1 of: Studies 31
Usually taken during grade 12
SOCIAL STUDIES 10 - The goal of Grade Ten Social Studies is to help students understand the basic organizations of industrialized societies. This course outlines the basic organization of Canadian society and then provides some other examples to give students a basis for comparison. The units of study include Political Decision making Economic Decision making, Ideology, and International Economic and Political Relations. An important part of the social studies program is to help students develop the critical thinking skills. At the grade ten level the skills of hypothesizing and analyzing are the focus.
SOCIAL STUDIES 11 - This course is designed to satisfy the grade 10 social requirement and meet the needs of students who have had difficulty with Social 9 or 10. Topics include Political Decision Making, Economic Decision Making, Ideology and International, Economic and Political Relations.
SOCIAL STUDIES 20 - Social Studies 20 takes an in-depth look at the state of our world today. A variety of nations from all continents are looked at throughout the course. The topics discussed cover a number of issues that concern our planet from the view point of real people. Human rights, population and its burden on the environment, approaches to protecting habitat while maintaining our standard of living, the distribution of wealth, and the need for international security are the focus topics. Present day case studies will be examined in each topic area. As each topic in Social 20 has more than one perspective, dialectical reasoning (examining all sides of an issue) will be practiced to help students gain an understanding of why world problems are so complex.
SOCIAL STUDIES 30 - The goal of the Social Studies 30 course is to help students understand the major issues facing Canadians. Discussion includes social change throughout history, people-land relationships, cross-cultural relationships, the governance of Canadian society, and Canada's place in the global community. The main skills focused on in the course include the processes of evaluation and dialectical reasoning.
SOCIAL STUDIES 31 - This course is recommended for students who are in the modified program and who have experienced difficulty with the 30 or 30H levels. This course closely parallels the themes of the Social Studies 30 program which studies the geographical, cultural, political and international influences in Canada.
History 10 – This course covers European history from the Renaissance to Napoleon. It begins by examining the rebirth of learning in Europe during the 14th Century and then moves on to look at the Reformation and how this helped redefine the face of Christianity. Students will examine the development of overseas empires by the various European powers, as well as trace the emergence of new nations such as Russia. “The Age of Reason” and “The Enlightenment” the two major revolutions are covered - the first in America, where the 13 Colonies broke away from Britain, and the second in France which saw the sweeping away of the old government and its replacement by a republic that would pave the way for Napoleon. The course ends with a review of the balance of power that resulted from an end to the Napoleonic Wars. A number of the issues which dominate contemporary affairs are addressed. The dialectical reasoning approach is used to address such issues as the environment, population growth, human rights, and conflict.
HISTORY 20 - A course which places emphasis on "international conflict" and "ideologies of the 20th century". Major areas of emphasis include: World War I, World War II, United Nations and a study of the problems facing the contemporary world.
HISTORY 30 - The goal of Social Studies/History 30 uses an historical perspective to examine the major issues in the development of Canada. The program discusses the historical forces between the Aboriginal Peoples who have always been here and the many different immigrants who came to make a new life for themselves. Issues stemming from the environment and from working out ways of living with many groups of people are also discussed.
The main skills focused on in the course include the processes of evaluation and dialectical reasoning
LAW 30 - The Law 30 course is designed to assist students to become active, informed and productive citizens who know and understand their legal rights and responsibilities. Through the course, students develop an understanding of the concept of rule of law, and learn that the law reflects, and is shaped by, society's values and attitudes regarding social and human relationships. The law is made relevant through study of the concrete application of law to current legal issues in Canada and the global community.
Topics addressed include foundations of Canada's legal system, criminal and civil law, family law, employment and labour law, contract and consumer law, environmental law and international law.
NATIVE STUDIES 10 - The aim of Native Studies 10 is to help all students develop their knowledge, positive attitudes and cultural understanding about First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples. The unique history of Aboriginal peoples is part of our traditions, history and present reality. The study of our Aboriginal peoples will give students the opportunity to understand and respect one another. Units of study include: Governance, Ideology and Economics
PSYCHOLOGY 20 – The study of human behaviour and mental processes in a social context. It is a course designed to guide the students to a better understanding of themselves as individuals in their own right, and as part of the larger social context of their families, friends, and citizens of their country in a global community. Topics include: What is social psychology? Who am I? How do we make sense of our world? and How do we act and interact in a social world?
PSYCHOLOGY 30 - The study of human development across the time spans of human life. Students will learn about human growth and changes in behaviour associated with age, including the various stages of development from conception to old age, and apply such knowledge to investigate issues in their everyday lives. This course consists of a number of units including: an Introduction of Developmental Psychology, Adolescence, Conception to Birth, Infancy, Early to Middle Childhood, and Adulthood to Old Age.
CHRISTIAN ETHICS 10 - (no prerequisite) This course is based on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and the impact they have had on our understanding of the person of Jesus. The students begin by looking at their own life story. This is then related to the story of the Bible and how we are a continuation of God’s work. We also learn what Jesus’ call to “come follow me” might mean for us today.
CHRISTIAN ETHICS 20 - (no prerequisite) This course is based on the Church and moral guidelines offered through the virtues. The students will look at the nature of the Christian community and what living in and belonging to the Christian Community entails. Through studying the virtues the students will come to understand better Christian moral guidelines. These moral guidelines will be studied as to how they inform various contemporary moral issues.
CHRISTIAN ETHICS 30 - (no prerequisite) This course is based on what means to live a Christian lifestyle. Students look at how the Christian message guides our search for self-understanding. Students discover how Christianity gives meaning to life, death and belief. Students look at relationships and commitments for a Christian perspective. A look at major world religions and spiritualties and their major contributions is also included.
**This credit can be recognized as a PAA credit.