Civics
Grade 10
Open
CHV2O7
Description/Rationale
This course explores what it means to be an informed, active citizen in a democratic society. Students will learn about the elements of democracy and the meaning of democratic citizenship in local, provincial, national, and global contexts. In addition, students will learn about social change, examine decision-making processes in Canada, explore their own and others’ beliefs and perspectives on civics questions, and learn how to think and act critically and creatively about public issues.
How This Course Supports the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations
The purpose of this course is to allow Ontario Catholic School Graduates to develop attitudes and values based on Catholic social teachings and to integrate faith with civic duty and responsibility. Students will be encouraged to examine, evaluate, and apply knowledge of political, ethical, and socio-economic systems for the promotion of a just, peaceful, and compassionate society. Students will be encouraged to make decisions in light of gospel values with an informed conscience. This course will involve activities that will encourage students to act morally and legally as persons formed in Catholic traditions. Civics course graduates will be effective communicators of the Good News of Jesus Christ in their attitudes and approaches to historical and contemporary issues involving citizenship.
Overall Expectations
By the end of this course, students will:
Informed Citizen.
• demonstrate an understanding of the need for democratic decision making;
• explain the legal rights and responsibilities associated with Canadian citizenship;
• describe the main structures and functions of municipal, provincial, and federal governments in Canada;
• explain what it means to be a “global citizen” and why it is important to be one.
Purposeful Citizenship.
• demonstrate an understanding of the beliefs and values underlying democratic citizenship
and explain how they guide citizens’ actions;
• describe the diversity of beliefs and values of various individuals and groups in Canadian
society;
• analyse responses, at the local, national, and international levels, to civic issues that involve multiple perspectives and differing civic purposes.
Active Citizenship.
• apply appropriate inquiry skills to the research of questions and issues of civic importance;
• demonstrate an understanding of the various ways in which decisions are made and conflicts resolved in matters of civic importance, and the various ways in which individual citizens participate in these processes.
Unit Titles (Time + Sequence)
|
Unit 1 |
The Individual as Citizen |
21.25 hours |
|
Unit 2 |
The Citizen at the Provincial and National Level |
13.75 hours |
|
Unit 3 |
The Global Citizen |
10 hours |
|
Unit 4 |
The Active Citizen |
10 hours |
EVALAUTION POLICY
|
Students will be assessed and evaluated according to the work they have produced and skills they have displayed. Methods of providing feedback will include assessing completed assignments, tests, co-operative learning activities, simulations and presentations. Student marks will be determined by assessing and evaluating process and product according to the Achievement Level Chart given below. |
|
Grade Range |
Achievement Level |
Achievement Level Description |
|
80–100% |
Level 4 |
A very high to outstanding level of achievement. Achievement is above the provincial standard. |
|
70–79% |
Level 3 |
A high level of achievement. Achievement is at the provincial standard. |
|
60–69% |
Level 2 |
A moderate level of achievement. Achievement is below, but approaching, the provincial standard. |
|
50–59% |
Level 1 |
A passable level of achievement. Achievement is below the provincial standard. |
|
Below 50% |
Insufficient achievement of curriculum expectations. A credit will not be granted. |
EVALUATION STRUCTURE
|
Student work will be assessed and evaluated according to the four achievement categories defined in the curriculum document (Ontario Curriculum, Canadian and World Studies, 2005). |
|
Category and Description |
|
|
Knowledge and Understanding:
- Includes content acquired throughout the course and comprehension of its meaning and significance.
|
25% |
|
Thinking:
- Deals with the use of critical and creative thinking skills and or processes.
|
25% |
|
Communication:
- Is conveying meaning through various forms.
|
25% |
|
Application:
- Includes the use of knowledge and skills to make connections within and between various contexts.
|
25% |
FINAL GRADES
|
The four assessment and evaluation categories are reflected in day-to-day activities, quizzes, unit tests, culminating activities, and on the final examination. |
The final grade in this course will be based on:
|
CHV2O7 |
Grade Distribution |
|
Term Work |
70% |
|
Course Culminating Activity |
15% |
|
Examination |
15% |
RESOURCES
Evans, M. Citizenship, Issues in Action. Toronto, Pearson. 2000.
REPLACEMENT COST AND DAMAGE
|
The replacement cost for a lost, stolen, or damaged textbook which is beyond repair is $55. 00. The cost of repairing a damaged textbook will be paid by the student. |
OTHER EVALUATION ISSUES
|
Please refer to the Student Agenda Handbook (2009/2010) for school policies on late assignments, incomplete assignments, missed tests and examinations, plagiarism, absences, school suspensions and other related issues. |