SOCIAL STUDIES 12 COURSES

Click on a GRADE button below to show Social Studies Courses available for that grade.

View the Socials Studies 12 Courses offered below:

20th Century World History

Course Code: MWH–12

Strongly Recommended: Social Studies 10 (a “B” standing or better is strongly recommended) This course is an in-depth study of major 20th century world events and the people who helped shape them. The course content is directly connected to the THREE main concepts: 1. Nationalist movements can unite people in common causes or lead to intense conflict between different groups. 2. The rapid development and proliferation of technology in the 20th century led to profound social, economic, and political changes. 3. The breakdown of long-standing empires created new economic and political systems. Students will examine the major events, trends and personalities from this turbulent century, as well as developing fundamental skills needed to study History and properly understand the past. 20^th Century World History is a challenging, interesting and important course with an emphasis on critical thinking, communication skills (written and oral) and citizenship.

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT GRADE 11 STUDENTS SELECTING THIS COURSE HAVE ACHIEVED A ‘B’ IN SOCIAL STUDIES 10.

B.C. First Peoples 12

Course Code: MBCFP-12

BC First Peoples 12 is a course for anyone who would like to develop a deeper understanding of Canada as a country. Students will investigate how colonialism impacts the political, social, and economic lives of BC’s First Peoples, and how Indigenous peoples challenge and resist that colonialism. We will explore: Indigenous world views and traditions; important laws, legislation, and legal cases; First Nations treaties, land title and collective rights; Indigenous activism and social movements; First Nations leadership, and governance; Indigenous representation and identity; and what Canada and settler Canadians can do to make progress on justice for, and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

**BC First Peoples 12 can be used to meet the Indigenous focused course requirement students must meet to graduate.**

Comparative Cultures 12

Course Code: MCMCL12

Explore ancient civilizations including those in Africa, as well as Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Rome through art, architecture, writing, religion, technology, and government. This is a hands-on course with many opportunities for student to choose areas of interest and how they will demonstrate their learning. The focus on critical thinking skills and culture makes this a great background course for students interested in all areas of History, Literature, Archaeology, and Art.

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT GRADE 11 STUDENTS SELECTING THIS COURSE HAVE A B IN SOCIAL STUDIES 10.

Human Geography 12

Course Code: MHGEO12

This course investigates the complex relationship between human and their natural environment. Human Geography 12 analyzes this relationship through FOUR large concepts. 1.Analyzing data from a variety of sources allows us to better understand our globally connected world. 2. Demographic patterns and population distribution are influenced by physical features and natural resources. 3. Human activities alter landscapes in a variety of ways. 4. A geographic region can encompass a variety of physical features and/or human interactions. The major course concepts will be explored through the following content topics: • demographic patterns of growth, decline, and movement • relationships between cultural traits and impacts on the environment.

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT GRADE 11 STUDENTS SELECTING THIS COURSE HAVE A B IN SOCIAL STUDIES 10.

Law Studies 12

Course Code: MLST-12

This course is open to grade 11 and 12 students. The course will provide a comprehensive look into law and the legal process, particularly as they relate to the Canadian justice system. In addition to discussing the basic components of the law, the course will explore some of the major legal issues facing Canadians, including: the parole system; young offenders and juvenile justice: legal implications of physical and sexual child abuse; constitutional rights under the Charter; children’s rights; forensics; women’s rights. Field trips, guest speakers, films, and documentaries all add to the course. Students will analyze actual legal cases utilizing decision-making techniques with their legal knowledge to determine case outcomes.

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT GRADE 11 STUDENTS SELECTING THIS COURSE HAVE A B IN SOCIAL STUDIES 10.

Philosophy 12

Course Code: MPHIL12

Philosophy is a discipline that examines the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. Philosophy provides tools for investigating meaning and fostering understanding of different ways of thinking. Examining questions in philosophy allows people to question their assumptions and better understand their own beliefs. While philosophical questions often examine issues with no definitive answers, logic and reasoned arguments can show which answers have more or less value. In this course we will study such things as: reasoning and argument, the nature of reality, epistemology (how we know what we know), social and political philosophy, and theories of morality, ethics, and aesthetics.

Successful completion of the course will provide you with 4 social studies credits towards graduation and university entrance requirements.

Physical Geography 12

Course Code: MPGEO-12
Physical processes that affect the earth in the past, present and future form the basis of this course. Topics include plate tectonics, volcanism, earthquakes, erosion, climate, weather, map skills, vegetation, and soils. The discussion of these topics leads to an understanding of resources and resource management and human interaction with an ever-changing environment. Course study includes numerous tests and assignments as well as lab and field studies work. This course will form an excellent background for future studies or occupation in the field of geography.
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT GRADE 11 STUDENTS SELECTING ONE OF THE FOLLOWING GRADE 12 ELECTIVE COURSES HAVE A B IN SOCIAL STUDIES 10.

Political Studies 12

Course Code: MPLST12

This course examines a broad range of topics supported by THREE main course concepts. 1. Understanding how political decisions are made is critical to being an informed and engaged citizen. 2. Political institutions and ideology shape both the exercise of power and the nature of political outcomes. 3. Decision making in a democratic system of government is influenced by the distribution of political and social power. Students will explore the main concepts through the following content areas:

Structure and function of Canadian and First Peoples political institutions
Major ideologies and political systems
Election processes and electoral systems
Methods used by media, governments, or political groups to influence public opinion
Political power in democratic and non-democratic societies
Current and future public policy
Scope and characteristics of the international system
Issues in local, regional, national, and international politics.

AP Psychology 12

Course Code: APSY-12

AP Psychology is a fast paced and challenging university level course on the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. Students should be mature, self- motivated, problem solvers ready for a significant academic challenge. Ideally students will already have taken Psychology 12. This course will cover: History and Approaches, Research Methods, the Brain and Biology, Sensation and Perception, Consciousness, Learning, Memory, learning, Motivation and Emotion, Developmental Psychology, Personality, Testing, Abnormal Psychology and Treatment as well as Social psychology. Students will have the opportunity to earn high school credit and to also write the AP exam in May to earn University credit.

This is a University Credit Course

It is recommended that students have at least a B average in academic classes to enroll in AP classes.

Psychology 12

Course Code: YPSYC2A
This is an academic elective. The focus for this course is the scientific study of human behaviour. Students will be introduced to the history of psychology, the scientific method, the Brain and Biology, Stress, Sensation and Perception, Consciousness, Developmental Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Gender and Human Sexuality. This course will be of interest to students who are considering careers in education, law and mental health.
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT GRADE 11 STUDENTS SELECTING THIS COURSE HAVE A B IN SOCIAL STUDIES 10.

Social Justice 12

Course Code: MSJ–12

This course is open to all students in grade 11 and 12. The course has three focus areas: Defining social justice, recognizing, and overcoming injustice, and creating a socially just world. In this class, students will explore: how to understand people’s values and identities; Indigenous and settler issues; race and racism; gender and feminism; LGBTQ2S+ and queer issues; class, poverty, and economic inequality; and social justice activism. A central part of this course is learning how to better understand and communicate across differences, and how to move forward on these issues together!