CIVICS - CHV 2OI
This course is about how to be an active and engaged citizen in the world. That requires learning about what's going on around the world, the political process that guides it all, and different ways to get involved in it all.
CAN'T FIND WHAT YOU NEED? This page is just an overview of the course. Use the dropdown menu to see the daily lessons and current assignments due.
A more detailed, printable version of the course outline can be found here.
This civics course explores rights and responsibilities associated with being an active citizen in a democratic society. Students will explore issues of civic importance such as healthy schools, community planning, environmental responsibility, and the influence of social media, while developing their understanding of the role of civic engagement and of political processes in the local, national, and/or global community. Students will apply the concepts of political thinking and the political inquiry process to investigate, and express informed opinions about, a range of political issues and developments that are both of significance in today’s world and of personal interest to them.
Instructional Samples
Essential Learning (The Ontario Curriculum, pp. 141-158)
Successful completion of all essential learning criteria below is required to earn the course credit.
Evaluation Breakdown
Careers and Civics are each a one-term, half-credit course.
The essential learning will be demonstrated through…
Units of Study
The essential learning criteria will be covered throughout the semester as we explore the following units of study:
1. Participatory Democracy – What it means to be an engaged citizen: levels of government, activism.…
2. Types of Government – How our personal beliefs affects political inclinations….
3. Parliamentary Process – What works and what doesn’t: Canadian rights and responsibilities, charter violations, and political scandals.
4. Canada and the World – Canadian policies of immigration, environment, international trade, and our role in the U.N., as well as alternative means to affect change beyond governmental processes.
I can be reached at <marie_snyder@wrdsb.ca> or at 519-745-6851 x589 if you have any questions or concerns about the course. I answer e-mails daily, but phone messages can take longer to return.
A more detailed, printable version of the course outline can be found here.
This civics course explores rights and responsibilities associated with being an active citizen in a democratic society. Students will explore issues of civic importance such as healthy schools, community planning, environmental responsibility, and the influence of social media, while developing their understanding of the role of civic engagement and of political processes in the local, national, and/or global community. Students will apply the concepts of political thinking and the political inquiry process to investigate, and express informed opinions about, a range of political issues and developments that are both of significance in today’s world and of personal interest to them.
Instructional Samples
- Students learn about levels of government and brainstorm many issues of concern relevant to their own lives, then they're able to directly and authentically participate in our democratic process by writing a letter of protest to a politician or filming a "rant like Rick" to be shared on social media.
- Students learn the wide variety of governments throughout history and how Canada came to become a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. After finding their own place on the political compass, students have an opportunity to explore types of government either by creating their own version of utopia or by explaining a few governments in greater depth.
- After learning the branches of parliament and being walked through the parliamentary process, exploring various roles involved, and discussing common concerns with our current system, students are able to take a critical look at some problems in parliament and debate one bill currently in the legislature.
- Then we begin to take a larger view to look at Canada's place in the world. We look at the United Nations, it's response to various genocides, and the necessity for NGOs to fill in the gaps of services not offered otherwise. Students are able to analyze one civic issue in depth.
- Finally, students can make a game to help solidify their own learning and help their classmates review the concepts integral to civic life.
Essential Learning (The Ontario Curriculum, pp. 141-158)
Successful completion of all essential learning criteria below is required to earn the course credit.
- use the political inquiry process and the concepts of political thinking to investigate issues and events
- apply skills developed through investigations in everyday contexts and identify benefits of these skills
- describe beliefs and values and positions associate with democratic citizenship in Canada
- explain, with reference to a range of civic issues, the roles and responsibilities of institutions and figures in Canadian governance
- analyse key rights and responsibilities associated with citizenship in Canada and globally
- analyse a variety of civic contributions and ways in which people contribute to the common good
- assess ways in which people express their perspectives on issues and how various perspectives, beliefs, values are recognized in Canadian communities
- analyse a civic issue of personal interest and develop a plan of action to address it
Evaluation Breakdown
Careers and Civics are each a one-term, half-credit course.
The essential learning will be demonstrated through…
- projects and tests (70%)
- a final summative project and exam (30%)
Units of Study
The essential learning criteria will be covered throughout the semester as we explore the following units of study:
1. Participatory Democracy – What it means to be an engaged citizen: levels of government, activism.…
2. Types of Government – How our personal beliefs affects political inclinations….
3. Parliamentary Process – What works and what doesn’t: Canadian rights and responsibilities, charter violations, and political scandals.
4. Canada and the World – Canadian policies of immigration, environment, international trade, and our role in the U.N., as well as alternative means to affect change beyond governmental processes.
I can be reached at <marie_snyder@wrdsb.ca> or at 519-745-6851 x589 if you have any questions or concerns about the course. I answer e-mails daily, but phone messages can take longer to return.