Social Studies

Prerequisite:  none

Content:  Students taking SS8 in the GP Program will address the same learning outcomes as students in the regular SS8 program.  However, there will be a greater focus on the development of 21^st Century skills development such as collaboration, critical thinking, and communication.  Technology will be infused into the program to help bolster these 21^st Century skills including the use of enriched PowerPoint, Prezi presentations and blogging.  Students enrolled in GP8 should expect minimal use of textbooks as our main focus will be on how and where we can find our own reliable information.  As well, students will use more of an inquiry based learning model wherein they will take more initiative and responsibility in many aspects of their learning.  Students are expected to participate in group discussions and individual and group oral presentations.  Gator Pod will also teach and model safe and effective use of social media and other educational technologies.

Prerequisite:  Social Studies 8

Social Studies 9 focuses on the historical development of the Americas and of Europe from 1750 to 1914. Students study the development of Canada through the lenses of colonization, revolutions, and industrialization. Students will study the social, economic and political factors that influenced the birth of Canada as a nation and its emergence on the world stage. They also continue to develop skills in analyzing sources of information, writing, research and geography.

Prerequisite:  Social Studies 8

Students taking SS9 BYOL will address the same learning outcomes as students in the regular SS9 course.  However, there will be a greater focus on the development of 21^st Century skills development such as collaboration, critical thinking, and communication.  Technology will be infused into the program to help bolster these 21^st Century skills including the use of enriched PowerPoint, Prezi presentations and blogging.  Students enrolled in Socials 9 BYOL should expect minimal use of textbooks as our main focus will be on how and where we can find our own reliable information.  As well, students will use more of an inquiry based learning model wherein they will take more initiative and responsibility in many aspects of their learning.  SS9 BYOL will also teach and model safe and effective use of social media and other educational technologies.  Students taking this course must also sign up for English 9 BYOL.

Prerequisite:  Social Studies 9

Social Studies 10 is the study of Canada and World from 1914 to the present. Students analyze the various social, economic, political, geographic and global influences that have shaped Canadian identity. They also continue to develop skills in analyzing sources of information, writing, research and geography.

Prerequisite: Social Studies 10

This course will focus on socio-political issues in the 20^th century. It is designed as an introductory or “appetizer” course leading to several Grade 12 courses in Social Studies.

This course analyzes 20^th century world history through the lens of film makers and documentarians.  Students are introduced to a variety of historical perspectives that have shaped the world we live in while using film as the vehicle to explore these topics.  This unique perspective will awaken the learner and allow the student to engage and understand that film is a powerful medium used to share our stories and our history. Students will watch Hollywood blockbusters as well as subtitled foreign films.  Further, students will learn to view history-based films with a critical lens. How do we know that the story we are viewing is factual?  What cinematic techniques are used to tell the story?  Are directors obligated to be truthful in their retelling of historic events? Historical films are an interpretation of historical events and not necessarily a reliable account. In the past, some of the areas of study have included the World Wars, resistance in Nazi Germany, the Vietnam War, the Iranian Revolution, the Taliban in Afghanistan, the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, the AIDS Crisis, and Apartheid.

This course complements 20^th Century World History 12, Genocide Studies 12, Social Justice 12, and Law Studies 12. 

Students taking this course will require parental permission as some films and materials are rated R for mature audiences due to the content covered in the course. Further, as the films are viewed during class time, regular attendance is imperative. 

Prerequisite: Social Studies 10

Through this course, students will explore the diversity, depth, and integrity of the cultures of indigenous peoples in Canada and around the world. We will examine the processes of colonization and their impact on our world today. Students will consider multiple perspectives regarding community development and make connections to the present realities of indigenous people and the movement towards reconciliation and self-determination. Students will learn how the identities, worldviews, and languages of indigenous people are renewed, sustained, and transformed through their connection to the land.

Prerequisite:  Social Studies 10 and in Grade 11 or 12

20^th Century World History investigates the birth of Communism, WWII, the Holocaust, and the Arab-Israeli conflict in the Middle East.  Students can expect personalized self-directed learning, choices to ignite learning, opportunities for critical thinking, and collaborative group work.  Technology is infused into the course to help bolster these 21^st century skills.  Students will come to know some of the titans of the 20th century including Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Rasputin, Mohandas Ghandi, and Nelson Mandela.  Students enrolled in this course should expect minimal instruction associated with textbooks. Instead, students should expect to learn using role play, skits, debates, and mock trials. This course is an academically approved Grade 12 courses for post-secondary admissions.

Prerequisite: Social Studies 10 and in Grade 11 or 12

British Columbia First Peoples (BCFP) is an interactive Social Studies course that allows students to dive in to learning about First Nations in our province. With over 200 First Nations in BC, the stories of BC First Peoples are many and diverse. The course draws from historical and current events with a heavy emphasis on contemporary realities and experiences. BCFP incorporates visual, auditory, oral, and hands on activities for students to engage respectfully in the application of the First Peoples Principles of Learning to content and curriculum. Over-arching themes such as empowerment, resistance, resilience, and respect encourage students to make meaningful personal connections. This course is an academically approved Grade 12 course for post-secondary admissions and meets the four credits for the 2023/24 Indigenous Graduation requirement.   

Prerequisite: Social Studies 10 and in Grade 11 or 12

This course will examine case studies of the intentional destruction of peoples and their cultures and explore how these movements can be disrupted and resisted. We will study the use of the term “genocide” to describe atrocities, exploring the political, legal, social, and cultural consequences. We will come to understand that despite international commitments to prohibit genocide, violence targeted against groups of people or minorities has continued to challenge global peace and prosperity. Major topics include the causes of, responses to, resistance to, and methods of remembering events of genocide. This course may appeal to mature students interested in a cross-curricular look at history as we bring in ideas from psychology, sociology, political science, economics, literature and film to help understand genocide. This course is an academically approved Grade 12 courses for post-secondary admissions.  Students taking this course will require parental permission as some films and materials are rated R for mature audiences due to the content covered in the course.

Prerequisite:  Social Studies 10 and in Grade 11 or 12

Law 12 explores Canadian law with a focus on legal issues that are relevant to people’s everyday lives.  Students will investigate fundamental legal concepts as we learn about our legal roots, Civil Law (Contract, Family, Tort, etc.), Criminal Law and our legal rights and responsibilities.  Students will use critical-thinking, inquiry and communication skills to develop informed opinions on legal issues and apply this knowledge in a variety of ways including case studies, research, mock trials and debates.  This course is an academically approved Grade 12 courses for post-secondary admissions.

Prerequisite: Social Studies 10 and in Grade 11 or 12

Socrates encouraged us to “Know Thyself.”  Philosophy 12 is a course designed to introduce the basic ideas and methods of major world philosophies.  Students will focus on topics such as the Nature of Reality, Limits of Knowledge, Ontology, Epistemology, Morality, and Justice. The discipline of philosophy builds higher level thinking skills, sophisticated reading skills and effective written and oral communication skills.  These skills are highly transferable to other disciplines and learning environments, including the exercise of our charter rights in a democracy like Canada’s.  Emphasis is placed on well-informed thinking and intelligent, capable discussion (both written and oral) of the topics presented.  Students are expected to participate in discussion, presentations, projects and written essays as we learn to process ideas that can have more than one right answer. This course is not an academically approved Grade 12 courses for all post-secondary admissions.

Prerequisite:  Social Studies 10 and in Grade 11 or 12

Be the change!  Challenge yourself to be an educated, fair and open-minded global citizen! Social Justice 12 allows students to explore and analyze social justice and human rights issues, past and present.  Students will explore root causes of injustices and strive to develop practical solutions to a wide variety of issues, from discrimination and poverty to environmental crises in Canada and around the world. In this research and project-based course, students will have the opportunity to broaden their knowledge and understanding on a variety of issues and the people working on these issues.  Students will be able to delve deeper into the topics, issues and solutions they are most passionate about. This course is an academically approved Grade 12 courses for post-secondary admissions.  Students taking this course will require parental permission as some films and materials are rated R for mature audiences due to the content covered in the course.

Prerequisite: Social Studies 10 and in Grade 11 or 12.

Urban Studies 12 is a great course for students interested in learning more about the interaction people have with their built environments.  As Platt (2014) states, “For better or worse, our metropolitan complex is largely built; now we have to make it as bearable, sustainable, and humane as humanly possible” (p.10).  This course provides an introduction to the origin of historic settlement patterns; the growth and processes of urbanization; and the impact of globalization on urban centers.  It investigates societal issues common to urban environments including poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, criminality, environmental degradation (air and water quality, lack of clean water, waste-disposal issues) and deterioration of the built environment.  It also provides an overview of urban renewal and city planning processes.  If you are considering a career involved in urban planning, city design, sustainability, environmental design, architecture, social sciences, or even transportation then this course is an excellent fit for you.  This course is an academically approved Grade 12 courses for post-secondary admissions.

Platt, R. H. (2014). Reclaiming American cities: The struggle for people, place, and nature since 1900. IBT/ Hamilton, Inc.

This course provides the opportunity for students to study the interaction between humans and their environment in our globally connected world. We will analyze connections between human rights, globalization, population distribution, physical features, settlement patterns, and natural resources and analyze the roles of each in global development. We will also look at the responsibilities of all the global partners to work towards equality and sustainability. 

This course is on the list for academically approved Grade 12 courses for post-secondary institutions.

NOTE: This course is only available to students in the EDGE program