This document outlines the syllabus for Social Studies 11, which aims to develop thoughtful and active citizens. The course covers various topics in Canadian politics, history, society, and human geography. Students must demonstrate knowledge of these topics through a provincial exam consisting of over 50 multiple choice questions and two essay questions. It is important for students to practice social studies exam essay writing throughout the year, as the exam accounts for 20% of their final grade. The syllabus dedicates approximately 160 hours over 80 classes to covering units on government and politics, autonomy and international involvement, society and identity, human geography, and exam preparation.

1. Social Studies 11: Syllabus
According to the BC Ministry of Education, the aim of social studies is to develop thoughtful, responsible, active
citizens who are able to acquire the requisite information to consider multiple perspectives and to make reasoned
judgments.
That being said, Socials 11 is the most complicated course in the BC curriculum not only because of the vast amount
of factual information that is required to remember for the provincial exam but also the complexity and
intersectionality of the topics it focuses on.
The Socials 11 provincial exam requires students to be able to answer over 50 multiple choice questions about
various aspects of Canadian politics, history, society, and human geography. It also requires students to produce two
essays that demonstrate strong knowledge of the aforementioned topics and the ability to show not only the links
between them but also the impact they have had on current Canadian society and culture. Each essay is given a
mark out of 6; the average mark received by native English speaking students is a 4. As this provincial exam accounts
for 20% of a student’s final grade in Socials 11, it is important to start studying for the exam, and practice socials
exam essay writing, from the beginning of the school year.
Please see the Course Outline on the following page in regards to course content and time requirements.

2. Course Outline
Unit Prescribed Learning Outcomes Time Required
Government and
Politics
By the end of Socials 11, students must demonstrate an
understanding of:
- the political spectrum (ideologies)
- how Canadians affect political change
- the formation of governments in Canada (branches and levels)
- the Canadian constitution, attempted amendments and the
amendment formula
20 hours (10 classes)
Socials 11 Exam
Essay Writing
In order to prepare for the written part of the exam, students will
write two essays per unit related to the topics within the unit, and
each essay will be assessed according to the provincial exam rubric,
serving as early formative assessment that the students may use in
order to improve their work.
10 hours (5 classes)
Autonomy and
International
Involvement
By the end of Socials 11, students must demonstrate an
understanding of:
- Canada’s development as an autonomous nation
- the events and impact of World Wars I and II (from the Canadian
perspective), and Canada’s role
- Canada’s participation in world (foreign) affairs
50 hours (25 classes)
Society and
Identity
By the end of Socials 11, students must demonstrate an
understanding of:
- development and impact of Canadian social domestic policies and
programs
- economic cycles and the Great Depression
- the role of women in Canada
- the impact of the conscription crises
- Quebec nationalism, bilingualism, and regionalism on Canadian
unity
- challenges faced by Aboriginal people in Canada
- what it means to be Canadian
50 hours (25 classes)
Human
Geography
By the end of Socials 11, students must demonstrate an
understanding of:
- the significance of changes in world population
- comparing Canada’s standard of living with those of developing
nations
- assessing environmental changes affecting Canadians
20 hours (10 classes)
Exam Preparation At the end of the course, several classes will be set aside for mock
exams. Each exam will be assessed, and all students will receive
written feedback in order to better prepare for the provincial.
10 hours (5 classes)
Total Time Required: 160 hours (80 classes)