Canadian History 30F |
"It was Canada from the Atlantic to the Pacific on parade. I thought then... that in those few minutes I witnessed the birth of a nation."
- Brigadier-General Alexander Ross |
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Welcome to Canadian History!
Today we begin a journey during which we will discover much about the past, present, and even the future of our country; Canada. Take time to consider the following quote:
People must know the past to understand the present and face the future.
Now, perhaps more than ever, it is critically important for all of us to not only study and understand our history, but also develop the skills associated with history and social studies; skills such as historical thinking, critical thinking, media literacy, and active, democratic citizenship.
Before we embark on our journey, I’d like to leave you with a few things to consider.
Firstly, several key issues dominate Canadian history. These issues will come up at many of the stops on our journey. Be sure to pay attention to them and think of how they played a part in the past, the present and how they may play a part in our Canadian future.
Secondly, you will encounter a lot of new information on our journey. I promise to give you my best effort to make your study of Canadian history as interesting, lively, and enjoyable as possible. However, I need you to give your best effort to achieve our goal. Although our journey may seem rough at times, I urge you to work through the difficulties and remember it is sometimes the journey, not the destination, which is the most valuable.
Finally, I’d like to encourage you to think critically about all issues we come across on our path. Don’t be afraid to challenge what’s written in a textbook! Start developing your own opinions about Canadian history!
I think you will find that I am fairly reasonable, so if you’re having any issues/challenges please don’t hesitate to come talk to me.
I look forward to learning with you!
Sincerely,
Mr. Lopuck
Course Outline:I have chosen to teach the Canadian history course in a thematic manner. This means that I have selected some of the “big-picture” themes that permeate Canadian history and have formatted the course around them. Please note that not all history teachers will teach this way, some will teach the course in chronological manner (from the beginning to the present).
Unit 1: Why should I care about government, politics, and economics?
Summary:
Unit 2: “Who am I and how do I fit into the story of Canada?”
Summary:
Unit 3: “Education got us into this mess and education will get us out” – Why are Canadians currently in the process of reconciling with our Indigenous people?Summary:
Unit 4: “Why am I forced to take French classes until grade nine?”
Summary:
Unit 5: “Why does Donald Trump matter to Canada?”
Summary:
Assessment and Evaluation
Assessment and evaluation in the Canadian History course will revolve around “big-picture” learning. A wide variety of assessment techniques will be used to determine your comprehension of these big ideas. These Enduring Understandings are the following:
Big Idea #1: Governance and Economics
Enduring Understandings:
Big Idea #2: Identity, Diversity, and Citizenship
Enduring Understandings:
Big Idea #3: First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Peoples
Enduring Understandings:
Big Idea #4: French-English Relations
Enduring Understandings:
Big Idea #5: Canada and the World
Enduring Understandings:
Course work 100%
Welcome to Canadian History!
Today we begin a journey during which we will discover much about the past, present, and even the future of our country; Canada. Take time to consider the following quote:
People must know the past to understand the present and face the future.
- Nellie McClung, Suffragist
Now, perhaps more than ever, it is critically important for all of us to not only study and understand our history, but also develop the skills associated with history and social studies; skills such as historical thinking, critical thinking, media literacy, and active, democratic citizenship.
Before we embark on our journey, I’d like to leave you with a few things to consider.
Firstly, several key issues dominate Canadian history. These issues will come up at many of the stops on our journey. Be sure to pay attention to them and think of how they played a part in the past, the present and how they may play a part in our Canadian future.
Secondly, you will encounter a lot of new information on our journey. I promise to give you my best effort to make your study of Canadian history as interesting, lively, and enjoyable as possible. However, I need you to give your best effort to achieve our goal. Although our journey may seem rough at times, I urge you to work through the difficulties and remember it is sometimes the journey, not the destination, which is the most valuable.
Finally, I’d like to encourage you to think critically about all issues we come across on our path. Don’t be afraid to challenge what’s written in a textbook! Start developing your own opinions about Canadian history!
I think you will find that I am fairly reasonable, so if you’re having any issues/challenges please don’t hesitate to come talk to me.
I look forward to learning with you!
Sincerely,
Mr. Lopuck
Course Outline:I have chosen to teach the Canadian history course in a thematic manner. This means that I have selected some of the “big-picture” themes that permeate Canadian history and have formatted the course around them. Please note that not all history teachers will teach this way, some will teach the course in chronological manner (from the beginning to the present).
Unit 1: Why should I care about government, politics, and economics?
Summary:
- Throughout Canadian history Canadians (and our Indigenous people along with French and British colonizers) have debated how best to govern ourselves. Sadly, politics and economics are issues a lot of people don’t seem to care about, as evidenced by the low percentage of Canadians that actively participate in our democracy. This unit will focus on some of the basic questions surrounding governance and economics including:
- What is an ideology?
- What forms of government are there?
- How has Canada’s government evolved over the centuries?
- How does our current political system function?
- Why are there different economic systems and how do they function?
- What is the political/economic spectrum and how do I relate to it?
Unit 2: “Who am I and how do I fit into the story of Canada?”
Summary:
- Figuring out who we are and where we come from might sound fairly simple but in this unit, we will discuss how to think like a historian to help understand our own personal histories. Questions that we will cover will include:
- What does it mean to have an identity?
- What does the term citizenship mean?
- How have Canadians developed a national identity over time?
- How can we use historical thinking concepts to make pursuing the study of history easier and more interesting?
- Where do our families fit in the story of Canada?
Unit 3: “Education got us into this mess and education will get us out” – Why are Canadians currently in the process of reconciling with our Indigenous people?Summary:
- Since Europeans first arrived in North America, the people indigenous to the lands that now make up modern Canada were slowly assimilated; first by the French, then the British, and finally by the Canadian government. Now, our Indigenous people are making a comeback of sorts. This unit will focus on some of the basic questions surrounding our Indigenous people including:
- Who were the First Peoples and how did they structure their world prior to contact with the Europeans?
- What were the immediate and long-term impacts of European colonization on our Indigenous peoples?
- In what ways has the Canadian government attempted to assimilate the Indigenous people since Confederation?
- In what ways are Indigenous Canadians fighting back?
Unit 4: “Why am I forced to take French classes until grade nine?”
Summary:
- Our country was first colonized over 500 years ago by the French. Over 270 years later, the English successfully defeated the French armies in Quebec and, since then, have tried to assimilate and/or appease the French Speaking population of Canada. Through all of this, the French language and culture continues to thrive today. Some of the questions we will be looking at will include:
- Why did the Europeans come to Canada in the first place?
- How did the English try to assimilate the French? In what ways did they succeed/fail?
- What has been Quebec’s place in Canada in the 20th and 21st centuries?
- What role does regionalism play in creating a challenge for the government of Canada?
Unit 5: “Why does Donald Trump matter to Canada?”
Summary:
- Former Prime Minister, Pierre Elliott Trudeau once stated that living next to the United States was like, “sleeping with an elephant…no matter how friendly and even-tempered is the beast… one is affected by every twitch and grunt”. Due to our geographic and economic closeness to the United States, we are affected by almost everything that happens to the south of us. That being said, Canada also plays a significant role in all world affairs. Throughout this unit we will investigate some of the following questions in more detail:
- How has Canada’s relationship with the United States changed over time?
- In what ways has Canada played a significant role on the world stage?
- What are the contemporary global issues facing Canada in the 21st century?
Assessment and Evaluation
Assessment and evaluation in the Canadian History course will revolve around “big-picture” learning. A wide variety of assessment techniques will be used to determine your comprehension of these big ideas. These Enduring Understandings are the following:
Big Idea #1: Governance and Economics
Enduring Understandings:
- The history of governance in Canada is characterized by a transition from Indigenous self-government through French and British colonial rule to a self-governing Confederation of provinces and territories
- Canada’s parliamentary system is based on the rule of law, representative democracy, and constitutional monarchy
- The role of government and the division of powers and responsibilities in Canada’s federal system are subjects of ongoing negotiation.
- Canada’s history is shaped by economic factors such as natural resources, agricultural and industrial development, the environment, technology, and global economic interdependence.
Big Idea #2: Identity, Diversity, and Citizenship
Enduring Understandings:
- Canada’s history and identity have been shaped by its vast and diverse land, its northern location, and its abundant natural resources.
- The meaning of citizenship has evolved over time, and the responsibilities, rights, and freedoms of Canadian citizens are subject to continuing debate.
- Canadian identity, citizenship, and nationhood are subjects of ongoing debate in Canada’s pluralistic society.
- Immigration has helped shape Canada’s history and continues to shape Canadian society and identity.
- The history of Canadian citizenship is characterized by an ongoing struggle to achieve equality and social justice for all.
Big Idea #3: First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Peoples
Enduring Understandings:
- First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples play an ongoing role in shaping Canadian history and identity.
- First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples have a long history in North America, and their diverse and complex cultures continue to adapt to changing conditions.
- The oral traditions of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples teach the importance of maintaining a balance among the emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of life.
- The relationship between First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples and non-Aboriginal peoples moved from autonomous coexistence to colonialism to the present stage of renegotiation and renewal.
- First Nation, Métis and Inuit peoples have achieved constitutional recognition of their unique status as Aboriginal peoples in Canada, along with recognition and affirmation of their existing Aboriginal and treaty rights.
Big Idea #4: French-English Relations
Enduring Understandings:
- Canadian institutions and culture reflect Canada’s history as a former colony of France and of Britain.
- French-English duality is rooted in Canada’s history and is a constitutionally protected element of Canadian society
- Nouvelle-France, Acadie, Québec and francophone communities across Canada have played a role in shaping Canadian history and identity
- British cultural traditions and political institutions have played a role in shaping Canadian history and identity.
- As a result of Québec’s unique identity and history, its place in the Canadian confederation continues to be a subject of debate.
- French-English relations play an ongoing role in the debate about majority-minority responsibilities and rights of citizens in Canada.
Big Idea #5: Canada and the World
Enduring Understandings:
- Canada continues to be influenced by issues of war and peace, international relations, and global interactions.
- Geographic, economic, cultural, and political links to the United States continue to be important factors in Canada’s development.
- Since the beginning of the 20th century, Canada has played an increasingly active role in world affairs through trade and development, military engagement, and participation in international organizations.
- Global interdependence challenges Canadians to examine and redefine the responsibilities of citizenship.
Course work 100%