High School Block:
Political Science 120
Political Science 120 is a learner’s next step to understanding and changing the world as an active citizen. As citizens of a Western liberal democracy, learners should not only be aware of events and decisions that will influence their lives but also understand why and how these events and decisions came to be. Political Science 120 expands on concepts introduced in the high school Civics course. Political Science 120 introduces learners to the concepts and terminology of politics and equips them with the skills necessary to function as responsible citizens who can make informed political decisions. The aim of this course is not to train political scientists but to prepare learners to navigate a world heavily impacted by political decisions. Learners will develop a nuanced understanding of politics, and to appreciate this nuance in the perspectives of others. Political Science 120 explores political thought, political systems, political information, and political engagement. Learners will explore political philosophy, political ideology, and government in Canada and around the world.
This exploration will focus on a range of influences on political decision making, such as media literacy, cultural diversity, and history. Throughout the course, learners will define, debate, and enact their own political beliefs.
CONTEXTS AND CONCEPTS
Political Thought
- Worldview
- Religion and spirituality
- Philosophy and ideology
- Influential political philosophers
- Free speech
- Political theories
- Modern ideologies
- Comparative ideologies (provincial, international, etc.)
- How political parties, their platforms, and public policy express ideologies
- Economic theories
- Identity and intersectionality
- Privilege and prejudice
Political Systems
- Doctrines/systems
- Forms of government
- Federal versus Unitary
- Indigenous governance (differs across Canada)
- Treaties
- Constitution (especially Sections 91 and 92)
- Branches of government (Legislative, Executive, Judicial)
- Budgeting
- Government versus Opposition
- Parliament, Parliamentary committees and debate
- Cabinet
- Roles within the Westminster system
- Indian Act
- Bilingualism in Canada
- Bills, laws and public policy
- Economic systems
- Current issues
- Special interest groups
- Lobbying
- Judicial influence and judicial review
- Interpretation of Law
- Comparative systems of government
- Diplomacy (Unilateralism, Bilateralism, Multilateralism)
- Multinational Corporations
- INGO/ENGO/NGOs
Political Information
- Nuance: developing/appreciating
- Identity
- Worldview
- Media bias
- Cognitive bias
- Narrative bias
- Data/Media/Digital literacy
- Critical thinking:
- Affective dispositions: open mindedness, flexibility, considering of the opinions of others, fair mindedness in assessing reasoning, willingness to change mind
- Polls
- Propaganda/Advertising Bias
- Partisanship
- Fact/Factual
- Claim/Opinion/Value Claim distinction
- Communication technologies
- AI and deepfakes
- Lateral reading
- Click restraint
Political Engagement
- Needs versus wants
- Human rights at home and around the world
- Equity and diversity
- Responsible citizenship
- Truth and Reconciliation
GRADE 12
Strand: Political Science
Big Idea: Political Thought
Skill Descriptor: Examine the merits and implications of various political philosophies.
Global Competencies: CTPS, CM, SGC
Achievement Indicators:
- Compare the views of various philosophers.
- Analyze a variety of political philosophies.
- Recommend alternate philosophical approaches to power and authority structures.
- Apply various political philosophies to current events.
- Articulate the significance of the social contract.
Skill Descriptor: Examine the merits and implications of various political ideologies.
Global Competencies: CTPS, CM, SGC
Achievement Indicators:
- Arrange politicians and policies on a political spectrum/political compass.
- Differentiate between major political ideologies
- Explain policies and proposals based on political ideology.
- Examine how various political ideologies evolved from political philosophies.
- Interpret perspectives, frames of reference, and biases in political ideologies.
Skill Descriptor: Evaluate how political ideologies impact governance.
Global Competencies: CTPS, CM, SGC
Achievement Indicators:
- Deconstruct ideologies of various political parties.
- Evaluate the influence of political ideologies on public policy.
- Debate the merits of specific public policy.
- Compare parties, platforms, and policies across various regions.
Big Idea: Political Systems
Skill Descriptor: Explain the structure and operations of governance in Canada.
Global Competencies: CTPS, CM, SGC
Achievement Indicators:
- Identify the various sections of the Canadian Constitution.
- Classify the division of power between different orders of government.
Skill Descriptor: Analyze political decision- making in Canada.
Global Competencies: CTPS, CM, SGC
Achievement Indicators:
- Explain how a bill becomes a law.
- Examine bills and laws in Canada.
- Discuss various influences on political decision-making.
- Explain the influence of culture and language on governance.
- Debate the complexity of political decision- making in a culturally diverse society.
Skill Descriptor: Compare structures and operations of various government systems.
Global Competencies: CTPS, CM, SGC
Achievement Indicators:
- Compare government systems in Canada and to international models.
- Outline the evolution of government systems over time.
- Analyse the current condition of the main principles of democracy.
Skill Descriptor: Investigate how governments function in the international community.
Global Competencies: CTPS, CM, SGC
Achievement Indicators:
- Explain the role of the United Nations.
- Examine issues in international politics.
- Analyse the relationship between government systems and international organizations.
- Justify the importance of international cooperation.
- Evaluate how Canada and other nations establish order and security in a global
context.
Big Idea: Political Information
Skill Descriptor: Identify one’s own perspectives.
Global Competencies: CM, SASM
Achievement Indicators:
- Identify own personal bias in how one consumes messaging.
- Consider own capacity to reconsider and revise views.
- Prioritize the issues one cares about the most
- Identify own worldviews
Skill Descriptor: Investigate methods used by media, governments, and political groups to influence public opinion.
Global Competencies: CTPS, CM, SGC
Achievement Indicators:
- Examine the various influences on public opinion.
- Identify bias in media and other messaging, and the intended and unintended consequences of that bias.
- Compare the coverage of a political event or topic in different mass media or in the different social media feeds of different people.
Skill Descriptor: Examine how own political opinions form and change.
Global Competencies: CTPS, CM, SGC
Achievement Indicators:
- Learn about political issues from various sources.
- Make reasoned, ethical judgements about political issues, decisions, and developments.
- Theorise a basic political view for oneself.
- Articulate own political opinions.
Big Idea: Political Engagement
Skill Descriptor: Examine the rights, responsibilities, roles and status of individuals and groups in Canada.
Global Competencies: CTPS, CM, SGC
Achievement Indicators:
- Consider the implications when rights collide and overlap.
- Describe own rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.
- Examine human rights issues that have challenged laws in Canada.
- Investigate the historic and current work to gain rights for marginalized groups in Canada
- Identify own responsibilities as a person living in Canada.
Skill Descriptor: Model responsible citizenship.
Global Competencies: CTPS, CM, SGC
Achievement Indicators:
- Develop a personal vision for responsible citizenship
- Create an action plan to address a political issue.
- Contribute to society and the culture of local, national, global, and virtual communities in a responsible, inclusive, accountable, sustainable, and ethical manner.
