Grade 12 - CANADIAN AND INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Constitution

Analyse the concept of nationalism (e.g., with reference to sovereignty, patriotism, ethnic nationalism, national identity, national pride, different concepts of nationhood) and how nationalism and nationalist ideologies have affected and continue to affect politics in Canada and other countries (e.g., political unification and/or separation of some countries, nationalist/separatist movements, the role of nationalism in anti-colonial movements, ethnic cleansing, nationalist symbols and images, jingoism, militarism). Sample questions: “Why are there different ideas about what constitutes a nation?” “What is the significance of separatist movements in Canada and other nations?” “How can patriotic assertiveness affect a nation domestically and in its international relations?”

Analyse how power is distributed in Canada and in various countries around the world (e.g., with reference to social, economic, political, judicial, military power). Sample questions: “What is the relationship between economic and political power in Canada? Is the relationship similar or different in other countries?” “What are some states in which the military plays a large role in politics? What are the political implications of this role?” “What are some benefits of a political structure that is based on a system of checks and balances? What are some drawbacks to such a structure?”

Analyse various strategies used by individuals and non-governmental stakeholder groups to address issues of national or global importance and/or influence domestic or international decision-making processes. Sample questions: “What are some key strategies that NGOs use to achieve their objectives? What factors might affect their choice of strategy?” “What are some avenues through which individuals and stakeholder groups can influence government policy and/or decision making in national and global communities?” “Why might a group adopt terrorism as a strategy?”

Analyse lawful and unlawful forms of political activism or civic engagement, and assess responses to such activism. Sample questions: “Why might a form of protest or activism that is permitted in one country be unlawful elsewhere? Who are some individuals who have been arrested or persecuted for political activism in their own countries but who are celebrated for their actions elsewhere in the world?” “Do you think it is ever justifiable to break the law to advocate for change? If so, what criteria would you use to determine when it is justifiable?” “What are some ways in which governments in Canada have responded to unlawful political activism?”

Federal/Provincial relations

Analyse various ways in which national, ethnic, and/or regional identities influence politics in and relations between various countries, including Canada (e.g., Mohawk protests at Oka and/or Anishinaabe protests at Ipperwash, the October Crisis, the Canadian policy of multiculturalism, regional political parties in Canada or other countries, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Indo-Pakistani conflict, Somalia’s civil war, relations between Russia and Ukraine, organizations such as La Francophonie). Sample questions: “What commonalities are there between the objectives of the Quebec sovereignist, Scottish nationalist, and Basque separatist movements?” “How have First Nations beliefs in the right to self-determination with respect to governance, land, and resources influenced Canadian politics?” “What impact did ethnic rivalries have on the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia? What impact did the conflict between these groups have on other countries?”