Department of Canadian & World Studies
John Cabot Catholic Secondary School
CHV 2O1
Civics
Open
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Period:
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Course Overview:
This course explores what it means to be an informed, participating citizen in a democratic
society. Students will learn about the elements of democracy in local, national, and global
contexts, about political reactions to social change, and about political decision-making
processes in Canada. They will explore their own and others’ ideas about civics questions and
learn how to think critically about public issues and react responsibly to them.
Strands and Overall Expectations include:
 Informed Citizenship.
Students will:
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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
Students will:
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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
analyze responses, at the local, national, and international levels, to civic issues that
involve multiple perspectives and differing civic purpose
 Active Citizenship
Students will:
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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
Efforts will be made to meet the individual learning needs of students in order
to ensure these expectations are being met.
Course Breakdown
Resources:
Unit One: Government Systems
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Communities & Individuals
Democratic Government
Unit Two: Canada’s Government
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Canada’s Constitution
Structures of Canada’s Government
Local Governments
The Judicial System
Unit Three: Global Citizenship
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Being a Global Citizen
Human Rights
The course will use a variety of resources
including video, CD-ROM, the Internet and
a variety of print sources. The textbook
Citizenship: Issues & Action will be
distributed to students. The text and all
other resources assigned to students are
the responsibility of the student. Any
damage incurred will result in payment for
replacement. The replacement cost is
$50.00.
Mark Breakdown:
Marks will be recorded according to the
following competencies:
Knowledge/ Understanding
25%
Thinking
25%
Communication
25%
Application
25%
Furthermore, evaluation is divided as:
Term Work
70%
Final (Exam & Culminating Activity) 30%
Assessment & Evaluation Policy
Students will be assessed & evaluated according to the work produced & skills displayed. Methods of providing feedback will
include assessing work in process & evaluating completed assignments, tests, co-operative learning activities, simulations and
presentations. Peer & self-assessments will also be utilized. Student marks will be determined by evaluating product according to
4 categories & 4 levels. Please see the chart below for specific skills and key words used to determine student competency in the
different categories.
Level
Category
Knowledge/Understanding
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Knowledge of content
Understanding of content
Thinking
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Critical/creative thinking skills
Planning Skills
Processing Skills
Communication
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Level 1:
50-59%
Level 2:
60-69%
Level 3:
70-79%
Level 4:
80-100%
demonstrates/
expresses
knowledge and
skills with
limited
effectiveness
demonstrates/
expresses
knowledge and
skills with
some
effectiveness
demonstrates/
expresses
knowledge and
skills with
considerable
effectiveness
demonstrates
/expresses
knowledge
and skills with
thorough
effectiveness
Expression and organization of ideas and
information (oral, written & visual)
Communication for different
audiences/purposes
Use of conventions of form, vocabulary &
terminology
Application
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Application of knowledge/skills in familiar
contexts
Transfer of knowledge/skills to new contexts
Making connections within and between
various contexts
Feedback will also be provided for student learning skills. Skills like working independently, team work, organization, work habits
and homework, and initiative are assessed independently student achievement and will be conducted through the use of a rubric
indicating specific criteria to be achieved to receive each of the following letter grades:
E –Excellent
G – Good
S – Satisfactory
N - Needs Improvement
Other Evaluation Issues
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LATE ASSIGNMENTS. Assignments submitted after the Primary Due Date established by the teacher will be accepted with a penalty of
5% off for the first day late and 2% for subsequent days to a maximum of 10%. This four day Penalty Zone is the maximum time allowed
for submissions. The fourth day after the assignment is due is considered the Closure Date upon which no further assignments will be
accepted. If the teacher returns the marked assignments within the four day penalty zone, the date of return is considered the closure
date. Repeated lateness in submissions indicates poor organization skills and will result in parental contact and will be reflected in the
learning skills section of the report card.
INCOMPLETE ASSSIGNMENTS Assignments will be graded according to the extent with which they meet the criteria established
MISSED TESTS Tests missed with a legitimate reason will be written within a few days of the student returning from the absence. Student
eligibility to write the test and the date of writing will be at the discretion of the teacher in consultation with the department head.
CULMINATING ACTIVITIES These activities will be due toward the end of the course. They are valued between 5 and 15 per cent of the
final mark and will reflect course material and competencies not otherwise emphasized on the final exam.
PLAGARISM in any form reflects academic dishonesty and may result in a mark of zero for the assignment in question