Social Studies
Social studies involves the study of people in relation to each other and humanity as a whole. Drawing on history, geography, ecology, economics, law, philosophy, political science, and other disciplines, social studies uses an issues-focused and inquiry-based approach to examine issues that face students as informed and active citizens. Using identity and citizenship as two overarching concepts, the curriculum focuses on three different themes:
Social Studies 10: Perspectives on Globalization
The Grade 10 curriculum explores the origins and present-day impacts of globalization. Students are invited to consider how economic, social, environmental, political, and historical dimensions of globalization affect personal and collective identity, citizenship, and global interdependence.
Social Studies 20: Perspectives on Nationalism
The Grade 11 curriculum asks students to analyze nationalism, including concepts such as ultranationalism, national interest, foreign policy, and internationalism. The program further explores how national identity shapes individual and collective viewpoints and looks at different understandings of nationalism, such as civic and ethnic nationalism.
Social Studies 30: Perspectives on Ideologies
The Grade 12 curriculum explores various political and economic ideologies, focusing on the origins, evolution, and challenges of liberalism and liberal democracy. The course looks at the emergence of classical liberalism and responses that led to the development of modern liberalism. It also examines alternative systems, such as communism and fascism, as rejections of liberalism. Using historical and contemporary case studies, students are asked to evaluate and examine how individuals respond to competing ideological beliefs.
Social Studies 10-1/20-1/30-1
Achievement in this stream fulfills an entrance requirement for several post-secondary programs. Students develop enhanced critical thinking and analytical abilities as well as advanced essay writing skills.
This course is also available at the IB level.
Social Studies 10-2/20-2/30-2
Achievement in this stream fulfills the minimum requirement for a high school diploma and can be used as a prerequisite for many post-secondary institutions, technical programs, or the trades.
The same themes and content are explored in both the -1 and -2 streams.
Career Connections
Students in this pathway are likely to pursue careers in/such as:
- Communications
- Computer systems analyst
- Consultant
- Criminology
- Economist
- Education
- Event planning
- Financial analyst
- Government policy
- Human resources
- Intelligence analyst
- Journalism
- Law enforcement
- Manager
- Marketing
- Museums and Historical Sites
- Non-profit and non-governmental organizations
- Psychology
- Public relations
- Public service
- Social work
- Sociology
- Urban planning