Pre-University Course Descriptions

Table of Contents

Academic Year Structure 4

Languages 5

English 12 – Introduction to College English 5

English 12 – AP Literature and Composition 7

Canadian Literature 8

Special Topics in English 9

AP French Language and Culture 10

Mathematics 11

Foundations of Mathematics 12 11

Pre-Calculus 12 A 12

Pre-Calculus 12 B 12 Calculus 12 13

AP Calculus AB* 14

AP Calculus BC* 14 Sciences 15

Biology 12 15 Chemistry 12 16

AP Computer Science A 16 Physics 12 17

AP Physics 1 17

Advanced Environmental Sciences 18

Environmental Science 12 19

Social Studies 20

Economics 12 20

AP Economics (Microeconomics) 21

AP Macroeconomics 21

Law 12 22

Political Science 12 23

World Issues 12 24

Entrepreneurship 25

Pre-University Course Descriptions 2

Pre-University

Classes by Term and Stream

Languages

English 12 – Introduction to College English

Course Overview

English 12- Introduction to College English encompasses the experience, study, and appreciation of language, literature, media, and communication and aims to enable and encourage students to become reflective, articulate, and literate individuals who can produce and respond to written, spoken, and visual texts effectively and purposefully This course is designed to provide students with the skills they need to meet the demands of post-secondary academic writing while also providing them opportunities to develop and explore imaginative, creative, and personal means of expression

General Curriculum Outcomes

The English 12- Introduction to College English curriculum is divided into three general areas of study; it is important to recognize, however, that these areas are interrelated and can be developed most effectively as interdependent processes

1) Speaking and Listening

Students will be expected to

● speak and listen respectfully and thoughtfully in order to explore, extend, clarify, and reflect on their ideas, feelings, and experiences

● communicate information and ideas effectively and clearly and to respond personally and critically

2) Reading and Viewing

Students will be expected to

● select, read, and interpret a range of literary, informational, media, and visual texts

● respond personally and critically to a range of texts, applying their understanding of language, form, and genre

3) Writing and Representing

Students will be expected to

● use the writing process to explore, clarify, and reflect on their thoughts and experiences in a personal and creative context.

● use a range of strategies and a variety of forms, audiences, and purposes to develop their formal writing skills and enhance the clarity, precision, and effectiveness of their written expression

All Grade 12 students must take either Grade 12 - Introduction to College English or Grade 12 -Advanced Placement English in their first semester.

English 12 – AP Literature and Composition

Course Overview

English 12 - AP English Literature and Composition is an introductory college-level literary analysis course that focuses on close reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature to deepen the students’ understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure As they read, students consider a work’s structure, style, and themes, as well as its use of figurative language, imagery, and symbolism. Writing assignments include expository, analytical, and argumentative essays that require students to analyze and interpret literary works This course is intended for students with well developed writing skills and a strong background and interest in literature and literary analysis who wish to deepen and extend their understanding of this subject Admission to this course may be contingent on a placement test

General Curriculum Outcomes

English 12 - AP English Literature and Composition is divided into six interrelated areas of study that are explored through three broad genres of fiction, Short Fiction, Poetry, and Longer Fiction or Drama

The six areas of study are below:

1) Character: Characters in literature allow readers to study and explore a range of values, beliefs, assumptions, biases, and cultural norms represented by those characters.

2) Setting: Setting and the details associated with it not only depict a time and place, but also convey values associated with that setting.

3) Structure: The arrangement of the parts and sections of a text, the relationship of the parts to each other, and the sequence in which the text reveals information are all structural choices made by a writer that contribute to the reader’s interpretation of a text.

4) Narration: A narrator’s or speaker’s perspective controls the details and emphases that affect how readers experience and interpret a text

5) Figurative Language: Comparisons, representations, and associations shift meaning from the literal to the figurative and invite readers to interpret a text

6) Literary Argumentation: Readers establish and communicate their interpretations of literature through arguments supported by textual evidence.

All Grade 12 students must take either Grade 12 - Introduction to College English or Grade 12 -Advanced Placement English in their first semester

Canadian Literature

Course Overview

Canadian Literature is an optional English course that explores selected works by Canadian authors, primarily contemporary, within the contexts of Canadian culture and identity Students will read works from at least two major literary genres and will explore the variety of voices within the Canadian mosaic, including texts by indigenous writers, Canadian women, and LGBTQ+ writers Class activities will include visits from local area writers and poets as well as class outings to the Blue Metropolis Literary Festival, live theatre performances, and poetry readings. Assessments will include formal literary analysis, creative writing, journal writing, and personal essay writing Possible texts include Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, Emily St. John’s Station Eleven, Timothy Findlay’s Not Wanted on the Voyage, Ann Marie Macdonald’s Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet), Thomas King’s Green Grass, Running Water, and Heather O’Neil’s Lullabies for Little Criminals.

General Curriculum Outcomes

The Canadian Literature course is divided into three overlapping and interdependent curriculum outcomes

1) Students will recognize and engage with a wide range of Canadian literary texts

Students will

● study a range of Canadian texts: including those that support their specific interests

● demonstrate knowledge about the geographical, historical, social, and cultural contexts of literary texts

2) Students will respond personally and critically to a range of Canadian literary texts and express their own voices as creators of Canadian texts.

Students will

● examine how Canadian texts work to reveal and produce values, identities, and positions

● reflect on what their own responses reveal about their personal values and attitudes

● describe, discuss, and evaluate significant characteristics of a variety of Canadian texts

● contribute their own voices to the body of Canadian texts.

3) Students will demonstrate an understanding of identity, diversity, and voice as portrayed in Canadian literary texts

Students will

● identify recurring themes, values, and attitudes in texts

● examine the reasons for and effects of a particular world view

● demonstrate an understanding of Canadian identity through the examination of character in Canadian literary texts

Special Topics in English

Course Overview

Special Topics in English is an optional English course open to all students with an interest in exploring a particular genre of literature, such as World Literature or The Non-Fiction Text, or examining an important theme or trope as it is developed through a variety of literary genres, or texts, such as The Role of the Outsider in Literature, or The Portrayal of Masculine Identity in Literature The exact course offerings will differ from year to year

General Curriculum Outcomes

The methodology, evaluation, and curriculum for the Special Topics in English course will vary, depending on the course offerings for that academic year.

AP French Language and Culture

The AP French Language and Culture course emphasizes communication by applying interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills in real-life situations. This includes vocabulary usage, language control, communication strategies, and cultural awareness

The language and culture will be studied within the framework of these six units:

Unit 1: Families in Different Societies

Unit 2: The Influence of Language and Culture on Identity

Unit 3: Influences of Beauty and Art

Unit 4: How Science and Technology Affect Our Lives

Unit 5: Factors That Impact the Quality of Life

Unit 6: Environmental, Political, and Societal Challenges

Mathematics Foundations of Mathematics 12

This course provides students with the mathematical understandings and critical thinking skills identified for university studies in programs that do not require the study of theoretical calculus

Topics include financial mathematics, geometry, measurement, number, logical reasoning, relations and functions, statistics and probability

1 Statistics

-normal distribution, including standard deviation, z-scores -interpret statistical data, use confidence intervals, confidence levels, margin of error

2

Logical Reasoning

-analyze puzzles and games that involve numerical and logical reasoning, using problem-solving strategies -solve problems that involve the application of set theory -solve problems that involve conditional statements

3. Probability

-interpret and assess the validity of odds and probability statements -solve problems that involve the probability of mutually exclusive and non–mutually exclusive events -solve problems that involve the probability of two events, the fundamental counting principle, permutations, or combinations -expand powers of a binomial in a variety of ways, including using the binomial theorem (restricted to exponents that are natural numbers).

4. Relations and Functions

-represent data, using polynomial functions (of degree ≤ 3), to solve problems -represent data, using exponential and logarithmic functions, to solve problems -represent data, using sinusoidal functions, to solve problems.

Pre-Calculus 12 A

This course provides students with the mathematical understanding and critical thinking skills for entry into post-secondary programs that require the study of theoretical calculus. Students develop a function tool kit including quadratic, polynomial, absolute value, radical, rational, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions. They also explore systems of equations and inequalities, degrees and radians, the unit circle, identities, limits, derivatives of functions and their applications, and integrals

Unit 1 Relations and Functions

-translations, stretches, reflections, inverses, radical functions, exponential -functions, logarithms, logarithmic functions, product, quotient, power laws of logarithms -solving problems with exponential and logarithmic equations

Unit 2 Trigonometry

-unit Circle, radians and degrees -sine, Cosine and Tangent functions -solve first and second degree trigonometric equations -prove trigonometric identities

Pre-Calculus 12 B

This course is a continuation of Pre-Calculus 12 A for students who will be in post-secondary programs that require theoretical calculus

Unit 1 Relations and Functions -analyze arithmetic sequences and series -analyze geometric sequences and series -factoring polynomials of degree between 2 and 5 with integral coefficients -graph and analyze polynomials functions of degree less than equal to 5 -graph and analyze reciprocal functions (linear and quadratic functions) -graph and analyze rational functions -demonstrate understanding of operations on and compositions of functions

Unit 2 Permutations, Combinations, and Binomial Theorem -Fundamental Counting Principle

-determine number of permutations of n elements taken r at a time -determine number of combinations of n different elements taken r at a time -expand powers of a binomial in a variety of ways including using the binomial theorem

Unit 3 Limits

-determine limit of a function at appoint both graphically & analytically -left and right hand limits as x approaches a value -continuity of a function -limits which involve infinity

Calculus 12

This first year calculus class introduces students to rates of change, derivatives, optimization and integrals. Specific topics include:

1. Concepts of average and instantaneous rate of change 2. Determine the derivative of a function 3. Apply derivative rules including the Constant Rule, Power rule, constant multiple rule, sum rule, difference rule, product rule, quotient rule 4 Find derivatives of trigonometric functions 5 Apply Chain Rule to determine derivative 6 Solve problems involving inverse trigonometric functions 7 Find limits and derivatives of exponential and logarithmic functions 8 Use calculus techniques to sketch the graph of a function 9 Use calculus techniques to solve optimization problems 10 Use linearization to solve problems 11. Solve problems involving related rates 12. Determine the definite integral of a function 13. Determine the antiderivative of a function 14. Solve problems involving application of the integral of a function from a variety of fields including sciences, economics, and business

AP Calculus AB*

AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC focus on students’ understanding of calculus concepts and provide experience with methods and applications and is equivalent to a first year university calculus class Through the use of big ideas of calculus (eg , modeling change, approximation and limits, and analysis of functions), each course becomes a cohesive whole, rather than a collection of unrelated topics Both courses require students to use definitions and theorems to build arguments and justify conclusions

The course content is organized into eight units:

Unit 1: Limits and Continuity

Unit 2: Differentiation: Definition and Fundamental Properties

Unit 3: Differentiation: Composite, Implicit, and Inverse Functions

Unit 4: Contextual Applications of Differentiation U

Unit 5: Analytical Applications of Differentiation

Unit 6: Integration and Accumulation of Change

Unit 7: Differential Equations

Unit 8: Applications of Integration

AP Calculus BC*

Calculus BC is a continuation of Calculus AB and is organized into ten units: 1. Limits and Continuity 2. Differentiation: Definition and Fundamental Properties

Differentiation: Composite, Implicit, and Inverse Functions 4 Contextual applications of Differentiation

Analytical applications of Differentiation 6 Integration and Accumulation of Change

Differential Equations

Applications of Integration

Parametric Equations, Polar coordinates, and Vector-Value

Infinite Sequences and Series

Sciences Biology 12

This course focuses on biology at a molecular level, studying how organisms grow and pass along characteristics to future generations Students study more systems that allow multicellular organisms to maintain equilibrium internally and with their environment

Unit 1: Genetic Continuity

Mitosis in which cells are copied, and meiosis in which gametes are produced are investigated. The role of DNA is explored as a template for ongoing protein synthesis and for reproduction. Mendelian genetics, inheritance of traits and the impact of mutations are all explored.

Unit 2:

Evolution, Change and Diversity

Diversity and variation are investigated as a reflection of the theory of evolution and its mechanism of natural selection and patterns of evolution.

Unit

3: Maintaining Dynamic Equilibrium (II)

In this unit students investigate the role of electrochemical and chemical systems in the regulation of homeostasis, the structure and functioning of those systems and the impact of disease and medical technology on the organism

Unit 4 Human Systems

The brain, the eye, the ear– the structure and functions of the human brain, eye and ear, the effects of disease, defects, and injuries, and corresponding treatments Links can be made to wave, sound and light studies in Physics Students study the male and female reproductive system, fertilization, fetal development, issues of genetic testing, and reproductive technologies

Chemistry 12

This is a second level introductory chemistry course building students' chemistry foundation from Grade 11

Unit 1 Thermochemistry

Enthalpy Changes Bonding and Hess’s Law Entropy and Gibbs Free Energy

Unit 2 From solutions to Kinetics to Equilibrium

Kinetics and Rate of Reaction Collision Theory, Reaction, Mechanisms and Catalysts Chemical Equilibrium

Unit 3 Acids and Bases

Properties and Definitions of Acids and Bases Acid/Base Reactions H+, OH-, and Le Chatelier

Using the equilibrium concept with acids and bases Acid/Base Titrations Chemical Equilibrium

Unit 4 Organic Chemistry

Influences of organic chemistry on society Naming and writing organic compounds isomers and organic chemistry applications of organic chemistry writing and balancing equations Polymerization Organic experimentation

AP Computer Science A

AP Computer Science A is an introductory university-level computer science course Students develop an understanding of coding by analyzing, writing, and testing code as they explore concepts like modularity, variables, and control structures using the Java programming language.

Pre-University Course Descriptions

Physics 12

This is a second level introductory chemistry course building students' physics foundation from Grade 11

Unit 1 Dynamics Extension

Vectors: Force and Motion Conservation of Momentum

Collisions in Two Dimensions

Unit 2 Projectiles, Circular Motion and Universal Gravitation

Projectiles

Circular Motion

Simple Harmonic Motion Universal Gravitation

Unit 3 Fields

Magnetic, Electric, and Gravitational Fields

Coulomb’s Law Electric Circuits

Electromagnetism and Electromagnetic Induction Generators and Motors

AP Physics 1

AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course Students develop their understanding of physics through inquiry-based investigations as they explore these topics: kinematics, dynamics, circular motion and gravitation, energy, momentum, simple harmonic motion, torque and rotational motion, electric charge and electric force, DC circuits, and mechanical waves and sound.

Advanced Environmental Sciences

Students will explore the impact and the significance of the ways that humans interact with the natural world, including exploration of indigenous and other ways of knowing the world They will gain a deeper understanding of biosphere dynamics and the importance of biodiversity. Students will study the composition and dynamics of soil, salt and fresh water systems, and the atmosphere and explore current environmental issues in agriculture, forestry, fresh and salt water resources and fisheries, global warming and air pollution

Students will complete a project to investigate and report on an environmental issue of personal interest

Specific curricular outcomes include:

● Recognize and appreciate the variety of ways people understand and interact with the natural world

● Demonstrate an understanding of different views of the natural world

● Recognize factors that influence local, regional and global environmental decision-making

● Briefly explore a range of current environmental issues.

● Earth Systems: Develop an understanding of the issues impacting the dynamics of biotic and abiotic components of the environment

● Develop an understanding of how Earth’s spheres interact and support the biosphere

● Develop a general understanding of biosphere dynamics and the importance of biodiversity at the species, community and ecosystem levels

● Examine and demonstrate an understanding of soil composition and ecology, and current issues in agriculture and forestry

● Examine and demonstrate an understanding of fresh and salt water composition and ecology, and current issues in water resources and fisheries

● Examine and demonstrate an understanding of atmosphere composition and dynamics, and current issues in air pollution and global warming

Environmental Science 12

The objective of this course is for students to develop the knowledge base and skills for investigating and analyzing environmental issues and for communicating their knowledge and analysis to others

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1 outline the ecological processes inherent in natural ecosystems and how these can be impacted by human activity

2. characterize traditional Indigenous and historic European relationships with the environment in NB, and how those relationships have changed over time as reflected in current environmental policies and legislation

3 identify the impact of personal behaviours on the environment, and recognize that caring for and sustaining natural environments is an element of responsible global citizenship

4 demonstrate an understanding of the importance of sustainable development, considering environmental, social, cultural, and economic aspects, to effectively resolve issues

5. analyze and propose solutions to current environmental issues through research, experimentation and a presentation of their findings with respect to the issue

Social Studies

Economics 12

Students will examine fundamental economic concepts and identify approaches to economic decision-making considering cultural perspectives, strategies for sustainable growth

The course has five units:

Unit 1 Fundamental Economic -economic systems, scarcity, choice and opportunity cost, economic systems, sustainability, factors of production, trade, absolute and comparative advantages

Unit 2. Demand, Supply & equilibrium

Unit 3 Firm and Market structure -types of business organizations in Canada, models of market structures, role and impact of labour unions on the labour market -unemployment, understand unemployment rate

Unit 4. Measures of Economic performance GDP, inflation,deflation, price indices, unemployment

Unit 5. Money, banking & Financial Markets -the function of money, types of financial institutions in Canada, role of Bank of Canada in the Canadian Economy: monetary policy and bank rate -money, exchange rates, cryptocurrency, function and characteristics of money -Gross Domestic Product

AP Economics (Microeconomics)

AP Microeconomics is a university-level course that introduces students to the principles of economics that apply to the functions of individual economic decision-makers The course develops students’ familiarity with the operation of product and factor markets, distributions of income, market failure, and the role of government in promoting greater efficiency and equity in the economy. Students learn to use graphs, charts, and data to analyze, describe, and explain economic concepts.

Unit 1: Basic Economic Concepts

Unit 2: Supply and Demand Unit 3 Production, Cost, and the Perfect Competition Model

Unit 4: Imperfect Competition

Unit 5 Factor Markets

Unit 6: Market Failure and the Role of Government

AP Macroeconomics

AP Macroeconomics is a university-level course that introduces students to the principles of macroeconomic theory

The course is organized into 6 units:

Unit 1. Basic Economic concepts Unit 2. Economic Indicators and the Business Cycle Unit 3. National Income and Price Determination Unit 4. Financial Sector Unit 5. Long-Run Consequences of Stabilization Policies Unit 6. Open Economic – International Trade and Finance

Law 12

This is an introductory law course introducing students to the foundations of law, the foundation of criminal and civil law as well as two other areas

Unit 1.

Foundations of Law

In this unit, students will review the need for & purposes of law, classify laws by type, identify & explain division of federal, provincial, and municipal governmental powers, describe process by which laws are made in Canada, analyze Charter of Rights and Freedoms to identify rights, freedoms, and responsibilities

Unit 2.

Criminal Law

In this unit, students will analyze why society criminalizes certain behaviors, identify and explain elements of a criminal offense, explain roles of various parties to an offense, distinguish between indictable and summary conviction, describe legal process of investigation and arrest, identify roles of various officers of the course, pretrial and trial procedures

Unit 3.

Civil Law and the Law of Torts

In this unit, students will learn how to distinguish between civil and criminal matters ad different types of civil law, describe civil court procedures vs criminal procedures, demonstrate an understanding of torts and purposes of tort law, demonstrate understanding of intentional and unintentional torts, explain duty of care, standard care, proximate cause, foreseeability and reasonable person standard; understand remedies for victims

In addition, the class will study at least two of the following units

Unit 4 Contracts

Unit 5 Family Law Unit 6 Estate Law Unit 7 Environmental Law Unit 8 Consumer Law

Unit 9 Aboriginal Peoples & Law

Unit 10. International Law Unit 11. Labour Law Unit 12. Youth & the Law

Unit 13. Human Rights

Unit 14. Property Law

Political Science 12

This course informs students about the concepts and terminology of politics As citizens of a Western Liberal Democracy, students should be aware of events and decisions that will influence their lives and understand why and how these events and decisions came to be. Students will be presented with the political frameworks whereby the political decisions are formulated on local, national, and international stages.

Students will explore political philosophy, political ideology, and government in Canada and around the world. This exploration will include a focus on a variety of influences on political decision making, such as media, cultural diversity, and history. Students will also give consideration to cultural and global competencies (eg indigenous traditions and knowledge), principles of equity, human rights, and democratic participationThroughout the course, students will define, debate, and put into action their own political beliefs

The course has three main units.

Unit 1 Political Thought

-examine merits an implications of various political ideologies and their impact on governance -concepts of power, authority, privilege, social contract “the natural state”, authoritarianism, libertarianism, left wing, right wing, socialism, conservatism, liberalism, communism, fascism

Unit 2 Political Systems

-explain structure and operations of governance in Canada -analyze political decision making in Canada -compare structures and operations of various government systems -examine how governments function in the international community

Unit 3. Political engagement

-examine rights, responsibilities, and status of individuals and groups in Canada

-investigate methods used to influence public opinion -investigate concepts of responsible citizenship -concepts of individual rights vs common good -UN declaration of human rights, un declaration on rights of indigenous people, charter of rights and freedoms, marginalization, cultural diversity power, gender equality, truth and reconciliation commission

World Issues 12

This course requires students to draw upon the social sciences to frame their individual worldviews This course can demonstrate how all subject areas are used to understand and to solve significant local, national and global challenges

Students will examine the global challenges of building a sustainable and equitable future, focusing on current issues that demonstrate these challenges The course provides opportunity for student choice within the themes of “humanity,” “interdependence,” and “geopolitics”

There are three main topics in the course.

Unit 1 Humanity

Students will deepen their understanding of the world by exploring the unity and diversity of the human experience by examining how economic, cultural, and environmental factors have shaped different societies around the world -analyze factors that influence distribution of wealth locally, nationally, and internationally; investigate conceptions of quality of life, demonstrate cross-cultural understanding of identify, diversity, and unity - UN sustainable development goals

Unit 2 Interdependence

- analyze issues resulting from interactions among individuals, groups and societies; analyze actions that support peace and sustainability; demonstrate personal and social responsibility for a peaceful and sustainable world - determine credible media source, understand bias in media coverage, consider role of United Nations, World Bank, Security Council, World court, WHO, UNESCO -economic globalization, food security and food distribution

Unit 3 Geopolitics

-define geopolitics, analyze origins; evolution, local, national and/or global responses to conflicts; evaluate causes, consequences, and solutions to violations of a group or individual human rights; assess social justice initiatives, demonstrating responsible citizenship, understand NGOs -conflict, causality, militarization, paramilitary, rebel, repression, sanction ,embargo, diplomacy

Entrepreneurship

This course uses a project-based, experiential, and seminar approach to develop the skills of entrepreneurship Students will choose a project of personal interest to them that may be a commercial endeavor, a social service, or an artistic pursuit (e.g. developing an app, creating a movie, etc.) Students will look at business case studies, develop a written business plan and, more importantly, focus on the skills required to be a successful entrepreneur.

Analyze

• Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

• Uncertainty Mitigation & Risk Assessment

• Creativity Connect

• Communication

• Collaboration

• Curiosity & Meta-cognition Execute

• Execute

• Imitative

• Persistence & Grit

• Adaptability Grow

• Leadership

• Social & Cultural Awareness & Inclusion

• Moral Integrity & Ethics

This course has been designed and will be delivered in consultation with Professor JP Silva of Metropolitan University and author of Startups in Action: The Critical Year One Choices That Built Etsy, HotelTonight, Fiverr, and More. Professor Silva is also the creator of the fastest growing entrepreneurship course at Metropolitan University called Zon100.

Selwyn House School 95, chemin de la Côte St. Antoine Westmount (Quebec) H3Y 2H8 (514) 931-9481