Overall Curriculum Expectations
By the end of this course, the student will:
A. RESEARCH AND INQUIRY SKILLS
- A1. Explore topics related to world cultures and/or cultural groups and formulate questions to guide their research.
- A2. Create research plans, and locate and select information relevant to their chosen topics, using appropriate social science research and inquiry methods.
- A3. Assess, record, analyze, and synthesize information gathered through research and inquiry.
- A4. Communicate the results of their research and inquiry clearly and effectively, and reflect on and evaluate their research, inquiry, and communication skills.
B. THE CONCEPT OF CULTURE
- B1. Demonstrate an understanding of the elements and functions of culture and of the nature of cultural influence.
- B2. Analyze how cultural identities are socially constructed, preserved, transmitted, and transformed.
- B3. Demonstrate an understanding of theories and concepts related to the study of culture, and apply these theories to analyze various cultures.
C. CULTURAL EXPRESSIONS
- C1. Demonstrate an understanding of artistic expressions, philosophies, and religious/spiritual beliefs found within specific cultures, and of how these expressions relate to various aspects of those cultures.
- C2. Analyze specific cultural expressions and a range of factors that can affect them.
- C3. Assess the contributions to and influence on various cultures/societies, including Canada, of a diverse range of ethnocultural groups and individuals from those groups.
D. CRITICAL CULTURAL ISSUES
- D1. Demonstrate an understanding of the dynamics of power relations within specific cultural groups and between minority and majority cultures.
- D2. Design, implement, and evaluate an initiative to address an issue related to cultural groups or promoting cultural diversity.
Course Content Outline
Unit 1 – Culture as a Construct
The themes explored include the elements, functions, and theories of culture. Students will reflect on and apply their understanding of how perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors influence culture, and develop their own construct of cultural identity.
Time Allocation: 30 Hours
Unit 2 – Culture as an Expression
The themes explored include cultural expressions, their function, how they are manifested, and how they are perceived. Students will investigate how cultural expressions change over time and as a result of historical events.
Time Allocation: 30 Hours
Unit 3 – Culture as Dynamic
The themes explored include the dynamic nature of culture, power dynamics within and between cultures, and how social action can promote cultural understanding and diversity. Students will examine how barriers to understanding are erected and how social action can help break them down.
Time Allocation: 25 Hours
Unit 4 – Culture as Social Action
This is the culminating project for the course, in which students will create a multi-level social action PSA campaign. Students will create success criteria, and plan, implement, and evaluate a social action campaign aimed at making progress for the community being served and the intended target audience. Students will also assess their progression along the Stages of the Change Continuum, determining their self-awareness and predicting the next steps in their journey as an agents for change.
Time Allocation: 25 hours
Total Time: 110 Hours
