Canadian & World Studies Department

Colonel By Secondary School • 2381 Ogilvie Road • Ottawa, ON • K1J 7N4
Phone: (613) 745-9411• Fax: (613) 745-4680

Geography:
Beginning with Canadian Geography in Grade 9, students survey the human and environmental contexts which make up life in Canada in the year 2007. In this course students investigate relationships between landforms, climate, soils, plants, animals, and human activities in Canadian ecozones. Along with this information, skills are developed allow students to develop an understanding of Canada's diversity and its role in the world. The CGC 1P, 1D, IDF, IDJ courses form the various curriculum streams for Grade 9 Canadian Geography -- each adapted to meet the needs of a diverse range of students. For students who wish to pursue further courses in Geography following their success in Grade 9 Canadian Geography, the possibility exists to enroll in the Physical Geography course (CGF 3M). This course can be taken at either the grade 10 or grade 11 level.

In CGF 3M, Geography students examine the main elements of the physical environment (climate, soils, landforms, oceans, vegetation), and the processes that shape them. Volcanoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, glaciating, tornadoes, and many other atmospheric and terrestrial realities form the bedrock of this engaging geographical adventure. As in all instances of geographical inquiry, the relationship between the environment and human beings is a constant focus of discussion. For students in the International Baccalaureate Programme entering their Grade 10 year, added consideration should be given to the course in Physical Geography (CGF 3ME). For these students, this Geography course, taken in their Grade 10 year, is the first of two courses designed to fulfil their Group 3 subject requirements. If taken in Grade 10, students may then take the follow up course in World Patterns and Interactions (CGU 4UE), during which they can write their Group 3 Standard Level examination during their Grade 11 year. This enables students to write one of their I.B. exams one year in advance of the rest, thereby allowing more time and focus for the balance of their exams during their I.B. 2 year. Should students wish to write their Group 3 Standard or Higher Level examinations in their grade 12 year, they must take CGF 3ME in grade 11, and CGU 4UE in grade 12.

For Colonel By students studying in the Ontario Curriculum, World Patterns and Interactions (CGU 4U) is the grade 12 university entrance level course which examines how cultures in different parts of the world interact with their environments and with each other. Students explore settlement patterns, human migration, cultural change, globalization, environmental issues, and other topics relevant to an understanding of how spatial, political, economic, and social factors affect settled environments and human activities.

Colonel By is one of only a few Ottawa-Carleton area schools to offer the unique Environmental Management (CGR 4M) course at the grade 12 University/College level. The complexity and fragility of ecosystems and the effects of human activities form the content focus of this course. Principles of sustainability and resource management will be discussed, along with an analysis of the various approaches to achieving a more sustainable relationship between the environment, society, and the economy. A particular emphasis in CGR 4M is on being 'active' in the field of Environmental Management. Students in this course assume a visible presence within the school and community undertaking positive environmental initiatives, from the maintenance of a indigenous wildflower butterfly garden (visible from the school's atrium), care and conservation of the trees and greenery in and around the school building, to extensive recycling initiatives, and environmentally safe disposal of household items which should not find their way into landfill sites.

History:
In September of their Grade 10 year, students begin the study of Canadian History. Canadian participation in global events and the development of Canada as a country through changes in population, economy, and technology form the content focus in this course. Students will analyse the elements that constitute Canadian identity, learn the stories of both individuals and communities, and study the evolution of political and social structures. Immigration and the opening of the Canadian West at the turn on the century, the country's participation in the Boer War, and World War One will be discussed. The shift in social realities during the first quarter of the 20th century will be traced across the First World War era, into the 1920s and 1930s. Canada's involvement in World War Two, the post-war settlement, the United Nations and the emerging nature of Canada's global culture will for the basis of the course towards the conclusion of the year. Differing interpretations of the past will be presented and explored through analysis of various and often conflicting cause-and-effect interpretations.

In Grade 11, students of History at Colonel By begin to broaden their scope and explore World History to the 16th Century with CHW 3M. This University/College course surveys the historical development of the world's major ancient civilizations, such as Ancient Mesopotamia (Iraq), Egypt, China, Greece, and Rome. Past societies which may also be the topic of inquiry could be India, Persia, Japan, Central America, or Ancient Africa. The nature of archaeological and historical evidence, and the interpretation of this evidence is a central theme of this course. As well, the transferable skills of writing, argumentation, debate and literature analysis are developed to provide students with a strong literacy grounding, regardless of whether or not they choose to continue the study of History at a higher level.

In Grade 12, The West and the World Since 1500 (CHY 4U) provides the university entrance level preparation in History. This engaging study of Europe in its formative years across the Renaissance, Protestant Reformation, Age of Exploration, State Building, Enlightenment, French Revolution, and Age of Industrialisation exposes students to some of the great texts of Western Philosophy, Political Theory, and other landmarks in the cultural development of Western history.

For students in the International Baccalaureate Programme, those wishing to fulfill their I.B. Group 3 course option in History, their Grade 11 year will be spent studying the History of the Americas (North, Central and South) in CHA 3UE. In Grade 12, students study European and Russian History throughout the Twentieth Century in CHY 4UE. In this course thematic and topical units of study will focus on the rise and rule of the single party states in Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, as well as the causes, practices and effects of war, with special focus on World War One (1914-1918) and Two (1939-1945). The formal study of historiography assumes a major place in this course, as conflicting interpretations are explored and analysed.

Social Sciences:
All students at Colonel By must take Civics (CHV 2O) in their grade 10 year. This course explores what it means to be an informed, participating citizen in a democratic society. Students will learn about the elements of democracy and the meaning of democratic citizenship in local, national, and global contexts. In addition, students will learn about social change, examine decision-making processes in Canada, explore their own and others' beliefs and perspectives on civics questions, and learn how to think and act critically and creatively about public issues.

Building on the foundation students have received in both Civics (CHV 2O) and Canadian History (CHC 2D), students entering their grade11 year may consider taking courses from a full range of offerings in the Social Sciences.

Canadian Law (CLN 3M) explores legal issues that directly affect students' lives. Students will acquire a practical knowledge of Canada's legal system and learn how to analyse legal issues. They will also be given opportunities to develop informed opinions on legal issues and to defend those opinions and communicate legal knowledge in a variety of ways and settings, including legal research projects, mock trials, and debates.

In the Introduction to Anthropology/Sociology/Psychology (HSP 3M), theories, questions, and issues that are of major concern to these fields of inquiry will be developed. Topics to be explored range from the nature of human beings, their culture, mental processes, motivations and emotions, to the analysis of social organisations, deviance, social control, communication and mass behaviour.

World Religions (HRT 3M) introduces students to the phenomenon of religion within the human experience. As the nature of religion is explored, the major expressions of faith are studied -- such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and various Indigenous Religions. This course is highly relevant for students who live the multi-ethnic, multi-faith community which exists in Canada in the year 2007.

At the grade 12 level, the curriculum areas in the Social Sciences introduced in grade 11 are furthered. It is important to note that although there is a natural feed from the various grade 11 courses into their companion grade 12 courses, a student need only have been successful in one of the grade 11 courses in order to have completed the pre-requisite for any of the grade 12 courses.

Canadian & International Law (CLN 4U) is a university preparation course which explores elements of Canadian Law and the role of law in social, political, and global contexts. Students will learn about the connections between the historical and philosophical sources of law and issues in contemporary society. They will also learn to analyse legal issues, conduct independent research, and communicate the results of their inquiries in a variety of ways.

In World Politics (CPW 4U) students study national and international political issues from a variety of perspectives. They will learn about the rights and responsibilities of individuals, groups, and states within the international community, analyse the different ways in which Canada tries to settle its conflicts with other nations, and evaluate the role of nationalist and internationalist ideologies which shape relations among states.

At the University/College level, a sociological investigation into Individuals and Families in Canadian Society (HHS 4M) is open to all students. This course applies current theories and research from the disciplines of anthropology, psychology, and sociology to study the ways in which families interact within the diverse Canadian society. Students will develop the interpersonal skills required to contribute to the well-being of families, and the investigative skills required to conduct and evaluate research about individual families.

All students enrolled in the International Baccalaureate programme must study Theory of Knowledge in their grade 11 year. HZT 4UE challenges what students know, how they come to know it, and explores the interrelationships between all areas of learning.

As you are selecting your course options for 2007-2008, please take the time to read the published prospectus, talk to teachers in the Canadian & World Studies Department, or contact the school via phone or email. We will be eager to help you understand the various course options, prerequisite requirements, and further possibilities which exist in the study of History, Geography, Law, Sociology, Anthropology, World Religions, and Politics.

We can be reached at 613.745.9411, or by email at David.Parsons@ocdsb.ca

Have a successful 2007-2008; we look forward to working and learning together.

Sincerely,

David Parsons
Department Head
Canadian & World Studies / Social Sciences
Colonel By Secondary School