Social Studies
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The Social Studies Curriculum at the High School level in Alberta is currently undergoing change.  The new courses in Social Studies have been designed to reflect the needs of students in the 21st century while taking into consideration current recent research on teaching and learning for students.  Implementation began in 2007 for grade 10, and will continue in 2008 for grade 11, and 2009 for grade 12.

Complete documents are available on the Alberta Learning website provided below. 

http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/k_12/curriculum/bySubject/social/default.asp 

New program of Studies
Social Studies 10-1 and 10-2 Program of Studies
Social Studies 20-1 and 20-2 Program of Studies
Social Studies 30-1 and 30-2 Program of Studies

The major distinctions between the Social Studies 10-2/20-2/33 courses and the 10-1/20-1/30 courses are in the areas of organization for instruction, teaching strategies, resources, evaluation and the elective parts of the courses. Social 30 may be used to qualify for university entrance. Social 33 is accepted as a prerequisite to study in many post-secondary technical schools and college programs.

Recommended paths for completion of Social Studies requirements for Diploma:

Grade 10 explores multiple perspectives on the origins and impact of globalization in the world.  Grade 10 explores multiple perspectives on the origins of globalization and the local, national and international impacts of globalization on identity, lands, cultures, economies, human rights and quality of life.

In Grade 11 and 12, students concentrate on responsible citizenship in the world by analyzing concepts of nationalism, globalization, ideologies, and contemporary world history.

 

Social Studies 10-1 (5 credits)

Prerequisite: 60% in Grade 9 Social Studies 

Key Issue

To what extent should we embrace globalization?

Students will understand, assess and respond to the complexities of globalization.

Related Issues

1. To what extent should globalization shape identity?

Students will explore the impacts of globalization on their lives. 

2. To what extent should contemporary society respond to the legacies of historical globalization?

Students will assess impacts of historical globalization on indigenous and non-indigenous peoples. 

3. To what extent does globalization contribute to sustainable prosperity for all people?

Students will assess economic, environmental and other contemporary impacts of globalization. 

4. To what extent should I, as a citizen, respond to globalization?

Students will assess their roles and responsibilities in a globalizing world.

 

Social Studies 10-2

Prerequisite:  Grade 9 Social Studies 

Key Issue

To what extent should we embrace globalization?

Students will understand, assess and respond to the complexities of globalization. 

Related Issues

1. Should globalization shape identity?

Students will explore the impacts of globalization on their lives. 

2. Should people in Canada respond to the legacies of historical globalization?

Students will understand the effects of historical globalization on indigenous and non-indigenous peoples. 

3. Does globalization contribute to sustainable prosperity for all people?

Students will understand economic, environmental and other impacts of globalization. 

4. Should I, as a citizen, respond to globalization?

Students will examine their roles and responsibilities in a globalizing world.

 

SOCIAL STUDIES 20-1 (5 credits)

Prerequisite: 60% in Social Studies 10-1  

Key Issue

To what extent should we embrace nationalism?

Students will explore the complexities of nationalism in Canadian and international contexts. 

Related Issues

1. To what extent should nation be the foundation of identity?

Students will explore the relationships among identity, nation and nationalism. 

2. To what extent should national interest be pursued?

Students will assess impacts of nationalism, ultranationalism and the pursuit of national interest.

3. To what extent should internationalism be pursued?

Students will assess impacts of the pursuit of internationalism in contemporary global affairs. 

4. To what extent should individuals and groups in Canada embrace a national identity?

Students will assess strategies for negotiating the complexities of nationalism within the Canadian context.

 

SOCIAL STUDIES 20-2 (5 credits)

Prerequisite: 50% in Social Studies 10-2 or 40% in Social Studies 10-1 

Key Issue

To what extent should we embrace nationalism? 

Related Issues

1. Should nation be the foundation of identity?

Students will explore the relationships among identity, nation and nationalism. 

2. Should nations pursue national interest?

Students will understand impacts of nationalism, ultranationalism and the pursuit of national interest. 

3. Should internationalism be pursued?

Students will assess impacts of the pursuit of internationalism in contemporary global affairs. 

4. Should individuals and groups in Canada embrace a national identity?

Students will understand the complexities of nationalism within the Canadian context.

 

SOCIAL STUDIES 30 (5 credits)

Prerequisite: 60% in Social Studies 20-1 or 75% in Social Studies 33.  It is not recommended that a student attempt the Social 10-2 – 20-2 - 33 - 30 route without a teacher recommendation. 

*New Program implementation will begin in 2009 for grade 12. 

Topic A:  The Ideologies of Nations 

Students examine global issues pertaining to the alternative political and economic systems that are evident on the international scene.

Topic B:  Cooperation and Conflict Among Nations

Students examine conflict and cooperation as methods for resolving international issues. Students reflect on some alternative ways of re-establishing the international order and decide upon actions indicative of a personal commitment to a “better world”. 

 

SOCIAL STUDIES 33 (5 credits)

Prerequisite: 50% in Social Studies 23 or 40% in Social Studies 20 

*New Program implementation will begin in 2009 for grade 12. 

Topic A: Political and Economic Systems

Students come to recognize the different ways that societies make decisions and how they satisfy their needs and wants. This topic enables students to acquire an understanding of major political and economic ideas and systems so that they can participate as effective and responsible citizens.

Topic B:  Global Interactions

Students come to understand how global interactions can be motivated by nations promoting and acting in their interests or in the interests of the international community.