History

The study of history enables students to more fully appreciate heritage and identity, both in Canada and around the globe, the diversity and complexity of different societies, and the challenges and responsibilities associated with participation in the international community. It also enhances students’ understanding of the historical roots of many current issues around the world. In doing so, it helps prepare students to fulfil their role as informed and responsible Canadian and global citizens.

The study of history fulfils a fundamental human desire to understand the past. It also appeals to our love of stories. Through the narrative of history, we learn about the people, events, emotions, struggles, and challenges that produced the present and that will shape the future. The study of history enables students to become critically thoughtful and informed citizens who are able to interpret and analyse historical, as well as current, issues, events, and developments, both in Canada and the world.

The Grade 10 history courses provide students with an overview of Canadian history from the eve of World War I to the present while enabling students to more fully appreciate Canadian heritage and identity, the diversity and complexity of Canadian society, and the challenges and responsibilities associated with Canada’s position in the world. Each course in Grade 10 history focuses on Historical Inquiry and Skill Development as well as the four concepts of historical thinking – historical significance, cause and consequence, continuity and change, and historical perspective.

The Grade 11 and 12 history courses provide students with opportunities to study many aspects of Canadian and world history, from early societies to the present. These courses convey a sense of the dynamic nature of Canadian and world history. Students learn that the people of the world have many stories and that each one is significant and requires thoughtful consideration. Students will develop their ability to apply the concepts of historical thinking in order to deepen their understanding of the peoples, events, and forces they are studying. They will also develop their ability to apply the historical inquiry process, gathering, interpreting, and analysing historical evidence and information from a variety of primary and secondary sources in order to investigate and reach conclusions about a wide range of historical issues, developments, and events

Goals of HIstory: Developing a sense of time Who are we? Who came before us? How have we changed?

Students will work towards:

• developing an understanding of past societies, developments, and events that enables them to interpret and analyse historical, as well as current, issues;

• analysing how people from diverse groups have interacted and how they have changed over time; understanding the experiences of and empathizing with people in past societies;

• developing historical literacy skills by analysing and interpreting evidence from primary and secondary sources.