CPW 4U
Canadian & World Politics
Canadian & World Studies Department
Colonel By Secondary School
If you know nothing about politics or about the events that happen in the news
this is a great course to ask questions, to find answers, and to become more
aware of the world around you. For those who consider themselves veterans in
regards to worldly affairs, emphasis is placed on challenging each student's
bias, misconceptions, and ideologies. The course moves rapidly from political
origins to Canadian/American interactions to comparative politics of nation
states to finally Canada's role in a global society. We study the Iraq war,
the Sudan genocide, Michael Moore, Israeli-Palestinian conflicts, globalization,
the IMF, George Bush, gun registry, and of course, the flu vaccination conspiracy
(only to name a few). Throw political correctness out the window and join in
the fun of studying what makes us Canadian and why we think we're better than
everyone else!
Course Outline:
This course examines national and international political issues from a variety of perspectives. Students will learn about the rights and responsibilities of individuals, groups, and states within the international community; analyse the different wyas in which Canada tries to settle its conflicts with other nations; and evaluate the role of nationalist and internationalist ideologies in shaping relations among states.
Prerequisite: Any university or university/college preparation course in Canadian and World Studies, English, or Social Science and Humanities.
Strands:
—Participation in the International Community
—Power, Influence, and the Resolution of Difference
—Values, Beliefs, and Ideologies
—Methods of Political Inquiry
Assessment & Evaluation:
Assessment and evaluation are tools to aid in and develop the learning process.
Students should differentiate between the two, incorporating the feedback and
measure of their progress into their own strategies for success. Should any
questions about either assessment or evaluation arise at any time throughout
the course, it is imperative answers be sought.
Assessment and Evaluation will reflect student learning and curriculum expectations in the following categories of achievement: Knowledge & Understanding, Thinking & Inquiry, Application, and Communication.
Knowledge & Understanding:
-knowledge of facts and terms
-understanding of concepts principles and theories
-understanding of relationships between concepts
Thinking & Inquiry:
-critical thinking skills (e.g., conducting analysis, detecting point of view
and bias)
-creative thinking skills (e.g., problem solving that uses multiple perspectives)
-inquiry skills (e.g., formulating questions; organising and conducting research;
analysing, interpreting, and evaluating information; drawing conclusions)
Application:
-application of concepts, skills, and procedures in familiar context
-transfer of concepts, skills, and procedures to new contexts
-making logical conclusions or generalizations
-making predictions and planning courses of action
-use of technology, equipment, and materials
-making connections (e.g., between past, present, and future contexts and roles;
between subjects; between subjects and the world outside the school)
Communication:
-oral communication (e.g., debates, role playing) for different audiences and
purposes
-written communication (e.g., reviews, short essays, long essays, letters) for
different audiences and purposes
Summative Evaluation:
The sum of student learning and skills development will be measured within the
last 30 days of the course in the four categories of achievement (above). This
summative evaluation will comprise 30% of the final grade for the course.
Textbook:
This course will be facilitated through articles, teacher specified readings, internet and library research, and an analysis of current affairs.