Page 533 - THE ONTARIO CURRICULUM, GRADES 11 AND 12 | Canadian and World Studies

information and formulating conclusions and/or judgements about issues, events, and/or develop- ments of national and international political importance (e.g., apply the concept of political significance when analysing the impact of a nationalist movement in a particular country;
use the concept of objectives and results to help them determine the criteria to use in measuring the effectiveness of the work of a non-governmental organization; use the concept of stability and change when analysing the evolution of Canadian foreign policy; use the concept of political perspective to help them explain government support or lack of support for a particular United Nations resolution)
Sample questions: “Why might it be appropriate to analyse this issue from human rights, economic, and environmental perspectives? Are there other perspectives you might also consider?” “How would you determine the political significance of a government’s decision to call an early election?” “What are some of the objectives of political polling? How might public opinion polls lead to unintended election results?” “Are democratic governments more or less stable than dictatorships? If not, why?
If so, in what way?”
A1.6 evaluate and synthesize their findings to formulate conclusions and/or make informed judgements or predictions about the issues, events, and/or developments they are investigating
Sample questions: “Did your findings challenge your initial assumptions about the topic? If so, in what way?” “When you review your research, which facts and arguments do you consider most persuasive? How have they affected the conclusion you have reached?” “What were the key ethical questions raised in the debate on this issue?” “Did the results of your inquiry influence your political perspective on the issue?”
A1.7 communicate their ideas, arguments, and conclusions using various formats and styles, as appropriate for the intended audience and purpose (e.g., a persuasive essay on an issue related to globalization; a debate on the pros and cons of nationalism; a seminar on the relationship between political ideology and political policy; a letter to an appropriate elected official requesting action on
an issue of national or international importance; a web page highlighting issues of importance to indigenous peoples; a blog about human rights
issues; an editorial cartoon on a recent political controversy; a news report on a political protest in a country other than Canada)
A1.8 use accepted forms of documentation
(e.g., footnotes or endnotes, author/date citations, bibliographies, reference lists) to reference different types of sources (e.g., articles, blogs, books, films or videos, policies, websites)
A1.9 use appropriate terminology when com- municating the results of their investigations (e.g., vocabulary specific to the topic; terms related to political studies and the concepts of political thinking)
A2. Developing Transferable Skills
Throughout this course, students will:
A2.1 describe ways in which political inquiry can help them develop skills, including the essential skills in the Ontario Skills Passport (e.g., skills related to reading texts, writing, document use, computer use, oral communication, numeracy, decision making, problem solving), and those related to the citizenship education framework,* that can be transferred to postsecondary oppor- tunities, the world of work, and everyday life
A2.2 demonstrate in everyday contexts attributes, skills, and work habits developed through investigations into political issues, events, and/or developments (e.g., show attributes such as respect and cooperation to help them build positive relationships with diverse individuals/groups; use critical-thinking and decision-making skills to formulate a position on a controversial issue and participate in informed discussions/debates about that issue; apply work habits such as initiative and responsibility when researching and considering their postsecondary options)
Sample questions: “What are the most appro- priate ways to demonstrate questioning skills when people are voicing their position on an issue?” “How do your own biases affect your line of questioning and your understanding of other people’s responses?”
A2.3 apply the concepts of political thinking when analysing current events relating to issues of national and international political importance (e.g., a coup d’état, a political protest
POLITICAL INQUIRY AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT
* The citizenship education framework appears on page 13.
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Canadian and International Politics
CPW4U