Social Studies
SOCIAL STUDIES 9
This course will focus on several topics relating to the development of the world and Canada between 1700 and 1900. The contributions of groups such as Aboriginal people, the French ,the British and immigrants will be studied. Topics such as European settlement of North America, the development of nations and social order, the industrialization of the western world, the 1837-38 rebellions, Confederation, the Red River Rebellion, and the North-West Rebellion will help students understand the development of Canada. Students must be prepared to meet increased expectations in basic skills such as reading and writing along with a more academic approach to the subject. A good work ethic along with a serious attitude towards learning increases chances of success.
SOCIAL STUDIES 9 PRE:IB
(Prerequisites: Social Studies 8 and admission into the Pre-IB Program – this is an accelerated course)
This course covers the Social Studies 9 curriculum. The intent of Social Studies 9 Pre-IB is to prepare students for the academic rigours of the IB program and will focus on research, essay writing, and critical historical thinking skills. The subject matter includes the roots of democracy, fights for rights, and the development of Canada. Students will further develop a strong work ethic and their ability to work independently and in groups. Students enrolled in this course will finish and get credit for Social Studies
9 and about 1/3rd of the Social Studies 10 course. In Grade 10, Pre-IB students will complete Social Studies 10 and Social Studies 11.
SOCIALS STUDIES 9 CORE
(To be eligible for Social Studies 9 Core, students must be recommended by their Grade 8 school, in consultation with Learning Support Services at REMSS)
CORE classes at REMSS are unique classroom environments that are generally made available to students with Individual Education Plans. CORE classes have fewer students in them and aim to organize the information so that it is easier to understand. In Social Studies 9 Core, the area of focus will be: vocabulary development, reading comprehension, critical thinking, personal organization, and executive functioning while analyzing historical events through perspective, ethical dimensions, and primary sources.
SOCIAL STUDIES 10
This course will focus on several topics related to the development of Canada and the world from 1914 to today. The contributions and perspectives of groups such as Aboriginal Canadians, French Canadians, women, and immigrants will be studied. Historical topics such as WWI the Interwar Years, WWII, the Cold War, and the Post WWII world will be examined in depth in to help students gain a better understanding of the development of Canada. Government structure and current geographic issues will also be explored so that students can gain the skills and knowledge they need to become active global citizens. Students must be prepared to meet increased expectations in basic skills such as reading and writing along with a more academic approach to the subject.
SOCIAL STUDIES 10 PRE-IB
(Prerequisite: Social Studies 9 Pre-IB, Social Studies 9 and admission into the IB Program)
Utilizing the Social Studies 10 curricular competencies, students will prepare for the academic challenges of the IB Program offered at Mountain. Students will develop their writing skills, analytical abilities as well as their note taking in an effort to provide students with the academic background necessary to be successful in the IB Program. Students in this class will complete Social Studies 10 and Explorations of Social Studies 11.
SOCIALS STUDIES 10 CORE
(To be eligible for Social Studies 9 Core, students must be recommended by their Grade 8 school, in consultation with Learning Support Services at REMSS)
CORE classes at REMSS are unique classroom environments that are generally made available to students with Individual Education Plans. CORE classes have fewer students in them and aim to organize the information so that it is easier to understand. In Social Studies 9 Core, the area of focus will be: vocabulary development, reading comprehension, critical thinking, personal organization, and executive functioning while analyzing historical events through perspective, ethical dimensions, and primary sources.
20th CENTURY HISTORY 12
This course will study the events of 20th Century History through a lens of Cause and Consequence, examining the conflicts, crises, and peace settlements of these years. Students will begin the year by analyzing WWI and the Treaty of Versailles, and the resulting balance of power in Europe. Students will then delve into further revolutions and conflicts, including the Russian Revolution, the rise of Stalin, Mussolini and Hitler, WWII and the Holocaust, the Cold War, the Vietnam War and Civil Rights Movement, and the collapse of the USSR. Students will also analyze the conflicting ideals of Nationalism, Imperialism, Communism, Fascism, Capitalism and Socialism. By the end of the course, students will be able to answer the question, “To what extent can one person, or idea, change the course of History?
Students will have the opportunity to participate in Mock Trials and Debates and pursue Research and Passion Projects throughout the year.
BC FIRST PEOPLES 12
BC First Peoples12 examines cultural, historical, and contemporary issues as they relate to Aboriginal Peoples in British Columbia. Students will become acquainted with the identities, worldviews, and languages of First Peoples. They will also study the past and current impacts of contact and colonialism, as well as the diversity and resiliency of Aboriginal communities and cultural/political expressions. More specifically, students will be expected to attain a greater awareness and understanding of the traditional territories of BC First Nations, the relationships between First Peoples and the land, the impact of historical exchanges of ideas, the results of government policies, the Aboriginal response and resistance to these policies, the role of the media as it relates to First Peoples, the traditional structure First Peoples’ governance, and contemporary challenges facing First Peoples in our province.
COMPARATIVE CULTURES 12
In this course, students will study the rise and fall of Ancient Civilizations including Ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, Japan, India, the Incas, and the Aztecs. Students will investigate the development of these early societies by analyzing their technological innovations, geography, political ideals, value systems, methods of law and order, religious beliefs, art and literature, and their cross-cultural interactions. Students will have the opportunity to pursue a Passion Project on a civilization(s) of their choice, and many units will be accompanied by Art project – some possibilities include ceramics, painting, sculpture, and dramatizations.
GENOCIDE STUDIES 12
The course will cover “genocides”, where the term came from and how it has been defined and examined over time. Genocide 12 will involve an in- depth study past and present acts of genocide and crimes against humanity. Students will attempt to answer critical questions but most importantly we hope to shine a light on past and present injustices and answer the question; Does History repeat itself?
Students will learn about genocides throughout history and will seek to find answers to the following questions: How do genocides come to take place? How are they patterned? What motivates people to participate in such violence? How is genocide represented, coped with, and remembered? How might it be prevented?
HUMAN GEOGRAPHY 12
The purpose of this course is to give students a better understanding of the impact of human behaviours on our society and our planet. Students taking Human Geography 11 will be given the opportunity to better understand the world by examining data related to population change, the use of physical space, the consumption of resources, the environmental impact of human activities, the development of industrialization and urbanized societies and the political organization of regions. This course examines the causes, impacts and resolutions of current social, political, economic, and environmental issues.
LAW STUDIES 12
Law 12 is a survey course in Canadian Law. Some areas covered are the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Philosophy of Law, History of Law, Legal System of Canada, Criminal Law, Legislation Concerning Children and Youth, Legislation Concerning Aboriginal Peoples and Tort Law. A case study approach is taken. Students must be able to think critically, have good reading and writing skills,and be willing and able to share their view on a legal matter in a clear, respectful manner. Students must be prepared to work hard to reach their potential.
PHILOSOPHY 12
Philosophy 12 introduces students to philosophical arguments and theory from a variety of schools of thought. Delving into life’s biggest puzzles and questions, this course teaches students how to apply philosophical ways of thinking about them. Guided practice in analytical reading and writing well- argued philosophical prose will help students articulate, examine, and reflect on their own and others’ ideas. This is very much a discussion-driven class that balances individual writing tasks with collaborative-based activities. Topics covered in Philosophy 12 include: reality and existence, theory of knowledge (epistemology), the mind (metaphysics), logic and language, right and wrong (ethics), society, and beauty and art (aesthetics).
PSYCHOLOGY 12
Psychology 12 focuses on the scientific study of human behaviour and processes over different contexts. The goal of Psychology 12 is to survey a variety of psychological perspectives to analyze, interpret, and make sense of why humans behave the way they do both in the past and present. By incorporating psychological theory and research skills, students will use their own personal experiences to make connections and apply their knowledge. Content in Psychology 12 also embarks on a variety of disciplines that include sociology, psychiatry, and philosophy. Students should have a good grasp of reading comprehension, writing, and communication skills to flourish in this class.
Some selected areas of the field of Psychology include mental health (self-care), psychological disorders, developmental psychology, social psychology, biopsychology, forensic psychology, criminal psychology, motivation, and personality
SOCIAL JUSTICE 12
The aim of Social Justice 12 is to raise students’ awareness of Social Injustices, to enable them to analyze situations from a social justice perspective, and to provide them with knowledge, skills, and an ethical framework to advocate for a socially just world.
Students will explore their own beliefs and values and consider the origins of these beliefs. In addition, this course will allow students to support and challenge their beliefs and values through reflection, discussion, and critical analysis. Social Justice 12 builds on students’ innate sense of justice, motivating them to think and act ethically, and empowering them to realize their capacity to effect positive change in the world. This course promotes the pursuit of social justice as an important responsibility for all and encourages students to develop the commitment and ability to work toward a more just society. By the end of this course ,students will have worked towards answering, “Why should I care about these issues and injustices, and take action to improve them, when I don’t think they impact me directly?”
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE
IB IS A TWO YEAR PROGRAM AND STUDENTS ARE ACCEPTED BY APPLICATION. Higher Level requires 40 additional hours of instruction.
IB ECONOMICS 11/12 SL and HL
At both standard level and higher level, candidates are required to study four topics: microeconomics, macroeconomics, international economics, and development economics with some sub-topics within these reserved solely for higher level. These sections are assessed by two examinations at standard level and three examinations at higher level.
The course emphasizes the economic theories of microeconomics, which deals with economic variables affecting individuals, firms and markets, and the economic theories of macroeconomics, which deal with economic variables affecting countries, governments, and societies. These economic theories are not to be studied in a vacuum – rather, they are to be applied to real-world issues. Prominent among these issues are fluctuations in economic activity, international trade, economic development, and environmental sustainability. The ethical dimensions involved in the application of economic theories and policies permeate throughout the economics course as students are required to consider and reflect on human end-goals and values.
The economics course encourages students to develop international perspectives, fosters a concern for global issues, and raises students’ awareness of their own responsibilities at a local, national, and international level. The course also seeks to develop values and attitudes that will enable students to achieve a degree of personal commitment in trying to resolve these issues, appreciating our shared responsibility as citizens of an increasingly interdependent world.
IB GEOGRAPHY 11/12 SL and HL
This is the first year of the 2-year IB Geography course. IB Geography 11 is a course that revolves around the themes of population change ,climate change, resource management and environmental sustainability. The theme of population involves an examination of past, current, and future trends in areas such as distribution, fertility, mortality, disease, migration, and age structure. The theme of climate change entails the study of the causes of, impacts of and responses to global temperature shifts. The themes of environmental sustainability and resource management examine patterns of resource production, consumption, availability, distribution, and trade, as well as the impacts of these activities on the environment.
IB PSYCHOLOGY 11 SL and HL
This course is offered as part of the International Baccalaureate program (Group 3). The core of the course encompasses cognitive, biological, and sociocultural aspects of psychology. All students also study the health psychology option and complete a simple psychological experiment. Only higher-level students study abnormal psychology and qualitative research methods. The final exam is written at the end of Grade 12.
IB PSYCHOLOGY 12 SL and HL
This is a continuation of IB Psychology 11.
This course will focus on several topics relating to the development of the world and Canada between 1700 and 1900. The contributions of groups such as Aboriginal people, the French ,the British and immigrants will be studied. Topics such as European settlement of North America, the development of nations and social order, the industrialization of the western world, the 1837-38 rebellions, Confederation, the Red River Rebellion, and the North-West Rebellion will help students understand the development of Canada. Students must be prepared to meet increased expectations in basic skills such as reading and writing along with a more academic approach to the subject. A good work ethic along with a serious attitude towards learning increases chances of success.
SOCIAL STUDIES 9 PRE:IB
(Prerequisites: Social Studies 8 and admission into the Pre-IB Program – this is an accelerated course)
This course covers the Social Studies 9 curriculum. The intent of Social Studies 9 Pre-IB is to prepare students for the academic rigours of the IB program and will focus on research, essay writing, and critical historical thinking skills. The subject matter includes the roots of democracy, fights for rights, and the development of Canada. Students will further develop a strong work ethic and their ability to work independently and in groups. Students enrolled in this course will finish and get credit for Social Studies
9 and about 1/3rd of the Social Studies 10 course. In Grade 10, Pre-IB students will complete Social Studies 10 and Social Studies 11.
SOCIALS STUDIES 9 CORE
(To be eligible for Social Studies 9 Core, students must be recommended by their Grade 8 school, in consultation with Learning Support Services at REMSS)
CORE classes at REMSS are unique classroom environments that are generally made available to students with Individual Education Plans. CORE classes have fewer students in them and aim to organize the information so that it is easier to understand. In Social Studies 9 Core, the area of focus will be: vocabulary development, reading comprehension, critical thinking, personal organization, and executive functioning while analyzing historical events through perspective, ethical dimensions, and primary sources.
SOCIAL STUDIES 10
This course will focus on several topics related to the development of Canada and the world from 1914 to today. The contributions and perspectives of groups such as Aboriginal Canadians, French Canadians, women, and immigrants will be studied. Historical topics such as WWI the Interwar Years, WWII, the Cold War, and the Post WWII world will be examined in depth in to help students gain a better understanding of the development of Canada. Government structure and current geographic issues will also be explored so that students can gain the skills and knowledge they need to become active global citizens. Students must be prepared to meet increased expectations in basic skills such as reading and writing along with a more academic approach to the subject.
SOCIAL STUDIES 10 PRE-IB
(Prerequisite: Social Studies 9 Pre-IB, Social Studies 9 and admission into the IB Program)
Utilizing the Social Studies 10 curricular competencies, students will prepare for the academic challenges of the IB Program offered at Mountain. Students will develop their writing skills, analytical abilities as well as their note taking in an effort to provide students with the academic background necessary to be successful in the IB Program. Students in this class will complete Social Studies 10 and Explorations of Social Studies 11.
SOCIALS STUDIES 10 CORE
(To be eligible for Social Studies 9 Core, students must be recommended by their Grade 8 school, in consultation with Learning Support Services at REMSS)
CORE classes at REMSS are unique classroom environments that are generally made available to students with Individual Education Plans. CORE classes have fewer students in them and aim to organize the information so that it is easier to understand. In Social Studies 9 Core, the area of focus will be: vocabulary development, reading comprehension, critical thinking, personal organization, and executive functioning while analyzing historical events through perspective, ethical dimensions, and primary sources.
20th CENTURY HISTORY 12
This course will study the events of 20th Century History through a lens of Cause and Consequence, examining the conflicts, crises, and peace settlements of these years. Students will begin the year by analyzing WWI and the Treaty of Versailles, and the resulting balance of power in Europe. Students will then delve into further revolutions and conflicts, including the Russian Revolution, the rise of Stalin, Mussolini and Hitler, WWII and the Holocaust, the Cold War, the Vietnam War and Civil Rights Movement, and the collapse of the USSR. Students will also analyze the conflicting ideals of Nationalism, Imperialism, Communism, Fascism, Capitalism and Socialism. By the end of the course, students will be able to answer the question, “To what extent can one person, or idea, change the course of History?
Students will have the opportunity to participate in Mock Trials and Debates and pursue Research and Passion Projects throughout the year.
BC FIRST PEOPLES 12
BC First Peoples12 examines cultural, historical, and contemporary issues as they relate to Aboriginal Peoples in British Columbia. Students will become acquainted with the identities, worldviews, and languages of First Peoples. They will also study the past and current impacts of contact and colonialism, as well as the diversity and resiliency of Aboriginal communities and cultural/political expressions. More specifically, students will be expected to attain a greater awareness and understanding of the traditional territories of BC First Nations, the relationships between First Peoples and the land, the impact of historical exchanges of ideas, the results of government policies, the Aboriginal response and resistance to these policies, the role of the media as it relates to First Peoples, the traditional structure First Peoples’ governance, and contemporary challenges facing First Peoples in our province.
COMPARATIVE CULTURES 12
In this course, students will study the rise and fall of Ancient Civilizations including Ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, Japan, India, the Incas, and the Aztecs. Students will investigate the development of these early societies by analyzing their technological innovations, geography, political ideals, value systems, methods of law and order, religious beliefs, art and literature, and their cross-cultural interactions. Students will have the opportunity to pursue a Passion Project on a civilization(s) of their choice, and many units will be accompanied by Art project – some possibilities include ceramics, painting, sculpture, and dramatizations.
GENOCIDE STUDIES 12
The course will cover “genocides”, where the term came from and how it has been defined and examined over time. Genocide 12 will involve an in- depth study past and present acts of genocide and crimes against humanity. Students will attempt to answer critical questions but most importantly we hope to shine a light on past and present injustices and answer the question; Does History repeat itself?
Students will learn about genocides throughout history and will seek to find answers to the following questions: How do genocides come to take place? How are they patterned? What motivates people to participate in such violence? How is genocide represented, coped with, and remembered? How might it be prevented?
HUMAN GEOGRAPHY 12
The purpose of this course is to give students a better understanding of the impact of human behaviours on our society and our planet. Students taking Human Geography 11 will be given the opportunity to better understand the world by examining data related to population change, the use of physical space, the consumption of resources, the environmental impact of human activities, the development of industrialization and urbanized societies and the political organization of regions. This course examines the causes, impacts and resolutions of current social, political, economic, and environmental issues.
LAW STUDIES 12
Law 12 is a survey course in Canadian Law. Some areas covered are the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Philosophy of Law, History of Law, Legal System of Canada, Criminal Law, Legislation Concerning Children and Youth, Legislation Concerning Aboriginal Peoples and Tort Law. A case study approach is taken. Students must be able to think critically, have good reading and writing skills,and be willing and able to share their view on a legal matter in a clear, respectful manner. Students must be prepared to work hard to reach their potential.
PHILOSOPHY 12
Philosophy 12 introduces students to philosophical arguments and theory from a variety of schools of thought. Delving into life’s biggest puzzles and questions, this course teaches students how to apply philosophical ways of thinking about them. Guided practice in analytical reading and writing well- argued philosophical prose will help students articulate, examine, and reflect on their own and others’ ideas. This is very much a discussion-driven class that balances individual writing tasks with collaborative-based activities. Topics covered in Philosophy 12 include: reality and existence, theory of knowledge (epistemology), the mind (metaphysics), logic and language, right and wrong (ethics), society, and beauty and art (aesthetics).
PSYCHOLOGY 12
Psychology 12 focuses on the scientific study of human behaviour and processes over different contexts. The goal of Psychology 12 is to survey a variety of psychological perspectives to analyze, interpret, and make sense of why humans behave the way they do both in the past and present. By incorporating psychological theory and research skills, students will use their own personal experiences to make connections and apply their knowledge. Content in Psychology 12 also embarks on a variety of disciplines that include sociology, psychiatry, and philosophy. Students should have a good grasp of reading comprehension, writing, and communication skills to flourish in this class.
Some selected areas of the field of Psychology include mental health (self-care), psychological disorders, developmental psychology, social psychology, biopsychology, forensic psychology, criminal psychology, motivation, and personality
SOCIAL JUSTICE 12
The aim of Social Justice 12 is to raise students’ awareness of Social Injustices, to enable them to analyze situations from a social justice perspective, and to provide them with knowledge, skills, and an ethical framework to advocate for a socially just world.
Students will explore their own beliefs and values and consider the origins of these beliefs. In addition, this course will allow students to support and challenge their beliefs and values through reflection, discussion, and critical analysis. Social Justice 12 builds on students’ innate sense of justice, motivating them to think and act ethically, and empowering them to realize their capacity to effect positive change in the world. This course promotes the pursuit of social justice as an important responsibility for all and encourages students to develop the commitment and ability to work toward a more just society. By the end of this course ,students will have worked towards answering, “Why should I care about these issues and injustices, and take action to improve them, when I don’t think they impact me directly?”
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE
IB IS A TWO YEAR PROGRAM AND STUDENTS ARE ACCEPTED BY APPLICATION. Higher Level requires 40 additional hours of instruction.
IB ECONOMICS 11/12 SL and HL
At both standard level and higher level, candidates are required to study four topics: microeconomics, macroeconomics, international economics, and development economics with some sub-topics within these reserved solely for higher level. These sections are assessed by two examinations at standard level and three examinations at higher level.
The course emphasizes the economic theories of microeconomics, which deals with economic variables affecting individuals, firms and markets, and the economic theories of macroeconomics, which deal with economic variables affecting countries, governments, and societies. These economic theories are not to be studied in a vacuum – rather, they are to be applied to real-world issues. Prominent among these issues are fluctuations in economic activity, international trade, economic development, and environmental sustainability. The ethical dimensions involved in the application of economic theories and policies permeate throughout the economics course as students are required to consider and reflect on human end-goals and values.
The economics course encourages students to develop international perspectives, fosters a concern for global issues, and raises students’ awareness of their own responsibilities at a local, national, and international level. The course also seeks to develop values and attitudes that will enable students to achieve a degree of personal commitment in trying to resolve these issues, appreciating our shared responsibility as citizens of an increasingly interdependent world.
IB GEOGRAPHY 11/12 SL and HL
This is the first year of the 2-year IB Geography course. IB Geography 11 is a course that revolves around the themes of population change ,climate change, resource management and environmental sustainability. The theme of population involves an examination of past, current, and future trends in areas such as distribution, fertility, mortality, disease, migration, and age structure. The theme of climate change entails the study of the causes of, impacts of and responses to global temperature shifts. The themes of environmental sustainability and resource management examine patterns of resource production, consumption, availability, distribution, and trade, as well as the impacts of these activities on the environment.
IB PSYCHOLOGY 11 SL and HL
This course is offered as part of the International Baccalaureate program (Group 3). The core of the course encompasses cognitive, biological, and sociocultural aspects of psychology. All students also study the health psychology option and complete a simple psychological experiment. Only higher-level students study abnormal psychology and qualitative research methods. The final exam is written at the end of Grade 12.
IB PSYCHOLOGY 12 SL and HL
This is a continuation of IB Psychology 11.