Social Studies Courses
Alberta Social Studies
Social Studies provides opportunities for students to develop the skills, knowledge, attitudes and values necessary to become engaged, informed and responsible citizens. Recognition and respect for individual and collective identity is essential in a pluralistic and democratic society.
Two Streams
We are now two years into a three year implementation of Alberta’s new Social Studies program. Previously the two streams of Social Studies were identified as 10-20-30 and 13-23-33. In the new program of studies the streams are identified by the designation 10-1, 20-1, 30-1 and 10-2, 20-2, 30-2. The course content is virtually identical. The primary difference between the two streams is the skills that are expected. In particular reading difficulty of the texts provides students with an appropriate challenge. The written work is also geared to provide an appropriate challenge in each stream. It is our strong recommendation that students have a 65% average in the previous Social Studies course in order to advance in the 10-1, 20-1 or 30-1 stream. Students who do not achieve this mark should register in the 10-2, 20-2, 30-2 stream.
Recommended Pre-requsites
Social Studies 10 – 1 Perspectives on Globalization
Social Studies 10 is focused on developing the student’s ability to explore, analyze and evaluate points of view and perspectives on GLOBALIZATION. Human existence is changing - ask your teacher what high school life was like “back in their day”!J Globalization is driven today by technological changes such as digital computing. We live in an age of the Internet (facebook.com, myspace.com etc.), laptops, mobile phones, iPods, genetic modification and a constantly growing list of “breakthrough technology”. Our reach is extended faster and further than ever before. In this course, we explore how globalization affects us not only as individuals but also as communities and nations.
Globalization, the process by which the world’s citizens are becoming increasingly interconnected and interdependent, demands that students explore responsibilities associated with local and global citizenship and formulate individual responses to many issues related to globalization. In Social Studies 10 students will study various aspects of globalization from multiple perspectives, including but not limited to Aboriginal and Francophone perspectives. The origins of globalization and the local, national and international impacts of globalization will be explored and analyzed. Students will explore the relationships among globalization, citizenship and identity to enhance their skills for citizenship in a globalizing world.
Social Studies 10 – 2 Living in a Globalizing World
Students will explore historical aspects of globalization as well as the effects of globalization on lands, cultures, human rights and quality of life. Students will explore the relationships among globalization, citizenship and identity. The infusion of multiple perspectives will allow students to examine the effects of globalization on peoples in Canada and other locations, including the impact on Aboriginal and Francophone communities. Students will develop skills to respond to issues emerging in an increasingly globalized world.
By examining opportunities and challenges associated with globalization, the process by which the world is becoming increasingly connected and interdependent, students will develop awareness of the impacts of globalization. Recognizing and appreciating the influence of globalization will lead students to examine their roles as responsible and active citizens in a globalizing world.
Social Studies 20-1 Perspectives on Nationalism
Nationalism has had a profound influence on human societies and the grade 11 course will analyze and try to evaluate this influence. The course will begin with a study of the origins of modern nationalism in the French Revolution and the Napoleonic era. Then students will analyze the influence of nationalism and attempts at internationalism in the run up to each of the world. This will include an analysis of ultra-nationalism; particularly in the fascist regimes of Italy and Germany. Students will also consider contemporary examples of nationalism within Canada and other countries. In particular nationalism of various aboriginal groups will be explored as well as Quebec Nationalism. Infusing this inquiry with multiple perspectives will allow students to develop understandings of nationalism contributes to the citizenship and identities of peoples of Canada.
Social Studies 20 -2 Understanding Nationalism
Students will examine historical and contemporary understandings of nationalism in Canada and the world. They will explore the origins of nationalism as well as the impacts of nationalism on individuals and communities in Canada and other locations. Examples of nationalism, ultranationalism, supranationalism and internationalism will be examined from multiple perspectives. Students will develop personal and civic responses to emergent issues related to nationalism.
As perspectives on personal identity continue to evolve, so do understandings of nationalism and what it means to be a member of a collective, community, state and nation. This evolution is significant in the Canadian context as nationalism continues to shape visions of identity and nation. Understanding the significance of nationalism contributes to an appreciation and awareness of the interrelationships among nationalism, internationalism, citizenship and identity.
Social Studies 30 and 33 (2008-2009)
These courses are divided into two topics.
Topic A: Political and Economic Systems
Focuses on understanding and comparing the theories, principles and practices of the major political and economic systems of the 20th century. Content includes the study of democratic capitalism, democratic socialism, communism and fascism.
Topic B: Global Interaction in the Twentieth Century
Focuses on understanding and comparing the causes and consequences of major international events since 1919. Content includes cases of conflict (WWII, Cold War, Middle East and other regional confrontations) and cooperation (UN, EU, WTO and other global and regional organizations and agreements).
Social 30 – 1 and 30 -2 (Beginning September 2009)
Students will explore the origins and complexities of ideologies and examine multiple perspectives regarding the principles of classical and modern liberalism. Liberalism has played an important role in the development of modern democratic societies. Most western democratic societies and other democracies are based on the ideas of liberalism. An analysis of various political and economic systems will allow students to assess the viability of the principles of liberalism. Developing understandings of the roles and responsibilities associated with citizenship will encourage students to respond to emergent global issues.
IB History
History is more than the study of the past. It is the process of recording, reconstructing and interpreting the past through the investigation of a variety of sources. It is a discipline that gives people an understanding of themselves and others in relation to the world, both past and present.
Students will learn how the discipline of history works. The courses in the IB history program pose questions without providing definitive answers. Students will engage in historical study involves both selection, interpretation and critical evaluation of various historical sources. The content of the history course is intrinsically interesting and it is hoped that many students who follow it will become fascinated with the discipline, developing a lasting interest in it, whether or not they continue to study it formally.
Social Studies 10 IB: Exploring Globalization
This course explores globalization from multiple perspectives, including but not limited to Francophone and Aboriginal perspectives. Students will consider the origins and legacy of historical globalization, the relationship between globalization and individual and collective identity, and the economic, social and political dimensions of globalization. As a prelude to the IB 20 and 30 courses students will be introduced to the discipline of history and historical thinking.
Social Studies 20 IB: Exploring Nationalism
This course will explore the origins of nationalism and consider its influence on contemporary society. This is the first year of a two year program that leads to a comprehensive IB History Exam in May of student’s senior year. Students will consider various case studies including The French Revolution and the Napoleonic Era, Italian and German Unification, the Causes of World War I and II, International Relations between the Wars. Contemporary studies will be made of Native Self Government in Canada and Quebec nationalism. Students will also be introduced to the various components of the Historical Investigation that they will complete in their senior year.
Social Studies 30 IB: Perspectives on Ideology
Starting in September of 2009 students will explore the origins and complexities of ideologies and examine multiple perspectives of classical and modern liberalism. An analysis of various political and economic systems will allow students to assess the viability of the principles of liberalism. The course will have a particular focus on single party states and consider Stalin and the Soviet Union, Hitler and Nazi Germany, Mussolini and Fascist Italy and Mao and the Chinese revolution. A study will be made of the rise and consolidation of power of each of these dictators. The economic and social policies of each case study will also be analyzed and compared to the tenants of liberalism
World History 30
World History is compulsory for those students registered in Social 30 IB. This course allows students the time to explore more deeply topics in the IB syllabus that are not covered in the Alberta Social 30 Curriculum. It also provides the additional time needed for students to complete the Historical Investigation. An important focus for this course is the Cold War. The origins of the Cold War and major Cold war confrontations will be studied from various perspectives.
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