Social Science Department
St. Marguerite d’Youville S.S.
10815 Dixie Road, Brampton, Ontario. L6R 2W5
Telephone: (905) 789-5560 Fax: (905) 789-1143
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CANADIAN AND WORLD POLITICS
CPW 4U1-01
Ms. D. Speranza
2
205
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course examines national and international political issues from a wide variety of perspectives.
Students will learn about the rights and responsibilities of individuals, groups, and states within the
international community; they will analyze the different ways in which Canada tries to settle its
conflicts with other nations and; then evaluate the role of nationalist and internationalist ideologies in
shaping relations among states.
OVERALL COURSE EXPECTATIONS
At the end of the course students will be able to:
▪ explain the rights and responsibilities of individual citizens, and states in the international
community;
▪ describe the main ways in which sovereign states and non-state participants cooperate and deal
with international conflicts;
▪ evaluate the role of Canada and Canadians in the international community;
▪ describe the structure and function of international, intergovernmental and non-governmental
organizations ;
▪ evaluate the role and operation of the international human rights protection system;
▪ analyze the factors that determine the power and influence of a country;
▪ analyze how international organizations, the media, and technology are able to influence the
actions of sovereign states;
▪ evaluate Canada’s role and influence in international relations;
▪ explain the role and function of ideologies in national and international politics;
▪ analyze how social and cultural beliefs and political ideologies influence national and international
politics;
▪ compare the aspirations, expectations and life conditions of people in developed and developing
nations;
▪ use methods of political science inquiry to locate, gather, evaluate, and synthesize information;
▪ analyze information gathered about political events, issues and trends according to fundamental
principles of political interpretations and analysis and;
▪ communicate knowledge, opinions, and interpretations about events, issues, and trends relating to
politics and citizenship, using a variety of forms of communication.
COURSE CONTENT
This course will be organized according to the following themes:
Unit 1
Search for Relevancy - Ideology and Being
Unit 2 Ideological Pursuit - Global Implications
Unit 3 Six Billion Voices - One World
Unit 4 Canada - Holder of the Flame?
Unit 5 Relevancy Revisited - The Path Ahead
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 works in progress and
evaluating 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 Assessment Categories and the Achievement Chart provided by the Ontario
Ministry of Education.
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:

Weight
25%
Includes content acquired throughout the course and comprehension of its
meaning and significance.
Thinking:

25%
Deals with the use of critical and creative thinking skills and or processes.
Communication:

25%
Is conveying meaning through various forms.
Application:

25%
Includes the use of knowledge and skills to make connections within and
between various contexts.
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:
CANADIAN AND WORLD POLITICS
Grade Distribution
Term Work
Term Work ( day-to-day activities, quizzes, unit
tests, unit culminating activities etc.) 50%
Research Component : Methods of Political
Inquiry and Communication ( research process
including proposal, conferences, presentation
and essay) see research component package for
details 20%
70%
Examination
30%
RESOURCES
Ruypers, John et.al. Canadian and World Politics. Toronto: Emond Montgomery, 2005.
Guy, James. People, Politics and Government. Toronto: Prentice Hall, 2001.
Other (e.g. Print Media & Internet Resources)
REPLACEMENT COST
The replacement cost for a lost, stolen, or damaged textbook which is beyond repair is $85.00. The
cost of repairing a damaged textbook will be paid by the student.
OTHER EVALUATION ISSUES
Late Submissions: Daily assignments and performance tasks submitted late are subject to a
penalty of 10% per day to a maximum of 1 day. Culminating activities and assignments will
be subject to a penalty of 10% per day to a maximum of 1 day or the last day of class which
ever comes first.
Tests and Quizzes: There will be a minimum of 4 tests. Students will be quizzed at
anytime on daily material covered in class. A note must accompany all missed tests and
students must be prepared to write on the day of their return. A quiz will only be
administered once during class time.
Final Examination: At the end of the course students will write a final exam. Failure to
write the exam will result in an examination grade of ZERO.
Plagiarism: There is no tolerance for plagiarism. All sources must be documented using
MLA format. Plagiarism will result in a mark of ZERO on assignments.
Please refer to the Student Agenda Handbook (2008/2009) for school policies on late assignments,
incomplete assignments, missed tests and examinations, plagiarism, absences, school suspensions and
other related issues.