Course Descriptions-Electives

20th Century World History 12

While History 12 can be described broadly as a history of world affairs in the 20th century, it concentrates on the years between 1914 and 1991, with an emphasis on the West and its relation to global affairs. In order to expand students’ historical awareness of affairs in the 20th century, the curriculum also incorporates a global perspective where appropriate. By examining the choices and decisions of the 20th century, students can evaluate current events and challenges with a deeper awareness of alternatives. History 12 is designed to provide students with a range of experiences and opportunities to develop skills that will prepare them for further study in history and related disciplines.

Comparative Cultures 12

This course fosters awareness of various civilizations throughout the world and the contributions of these civilizations to the sum of human experience. Comparative Cultures 12 SHIFT focuses on the interrelationships between art, culture, and civilization. Elements of culture such as belief systems, daily life, gender roles, and power and authority will be examined. Political, social, economic, and cultural structures of civilizations from prehistory to 1500 C.E. will be analyzed.

Creative Writing 12

In this course, you will read and write contemporary poetry and short fiction. For students with a particular interest in another genre (such as screenwriting, novel writing, memoir, graphic novel writing, etc.), we offer an independent study in Unit 3: Writing Explorations.

Genocide Studies 12

We live in a time of unparalleled instances of democide, genocide, and ethnocide. Indeed, the 20th century was so bloody that some have entitled it the "Century of Genocide." Unfortunately, the advent of the 21st century did not usher in a century of peace. Genocide Studies 12 examines the psychological, cultural, and societal roots of genocide as well as the means to identify and prevent it. Genocides studied include the Armenian genocide, the Holocaust, Cambodia's Killing Fields, the Rwandan genocide, and others.

Interpersonal & Family Relationships 11

This course intends to provide you with a broad overview of how relationships form and change. You will explore a variety of relationships, including family relationships, friendships, and committed relationships, as well as examine how these relationships evolve or end. This course also provides an overview of effective communication, wellness, and safety in relationships.

Language (Beginners) 11

GISS offers many languages at the beginner level through Shift. Languages available are German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Punjabi. Students study the language of their choice through the online immersion program Duolingo which includes listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Duolingo is accessed over the Internet and can be used both at school and at home. Cultural studies are included as part of the course. *S H I F T languages do not meet the requirement for university entrance.

Philosophy 12

Existence. Reality. Knowledge. Philosophy 12 in SHIFT is a course in which students will discuss a broad array of issues related to the nature of our beliefs and experiences in the world. Content will include perspectives from thinkers across many cultures, including major Western and Eastern schools of thought, as well as indigenous philosophies. The class will compare and contrast these ideologies, assessing their development and impact upon the world, and their relevance today.

Psychology 12

This course has been developed for those students who have an interest in psychology and wish to pursue it further at a post-secondary facility. Psychology 12 is a course designed to provide students with an understanding of human behaviour and basic concepts in modern psychology. This course covers the five major psychological domains: methods, neuroscience, cognitive, social, and developmental in order to achieve a general overview of this subject area.

Physical Geography 12

As an ever-increasing world population puts more and more demand on the planet’s resources, there is a need for a society that is geographically literate and able to make informed decisions about the sustainability of the earth’s resources and the future of the planet. Through the study of geography, students can develop an understanding of how local, regional, and global environments affect them. Physical Geography, also known as physiography, is one of the main branches of geography. It is a natural science, focused on the study of the natural environment, such as the atmosphere or the geosphere, as opposed to the study of built environments, as in human geography.