Social Studies Program Insights

Christina Thompson, head of the Individuals and Societies (INS) Department, introduces the department's approach to teaching, which focuses on developing creative, collaborative, and critical thinking skills in students. The program encourages students to engage with global concepts and solve complex problems. The Middle Years Program (grades 6-10) covers local, national, and global issues through various social science lenses. In the Diploma Program (grades 11-12), students can specialize in IB history, economics, or global politics. Provincial courses like Social Justice 12 and Law Studies 12 are also available. For more information, contact Christina Thompson.

What is the primary focus of the Individuals and Societies Department at GNS?

• Improving physical fitness

• Developing technical skills

• Fostering creative, collaborative, and critical thinking

• Teaching historical facts

What is the role of curiosity in the social studies program?

• To memorize facts

• To enhance physical activities

• To focus on exams

• To drive inquiry and exploration of multiple perspectives

In the Middle Years Program, students explore issues through which lenses?

• Artistic and musical

• Scientific and technological

• Social science lenses like society, economic, political, and geographic

• Mathematical and logical

What skills are emphasized in the development of ATLs in the MYP?

• Technical and mechanical skills

• Research, communication, and critical thinking skills

• Artistic and musical skills

• Physical and athletic skills

Which courses can students choose from in the Diploma Program?

• IB mathematics, IB computer science, and IB engineering

• IB art, IB music, and IB dance

• IB biology, IB chemistry, and IB physics

• IB history, IB economics, and IB global politics

What is the purpose of discussing course options with teachers and counselors in grade 10?

• To plan summer vacations

• To decide on extracurricular activities

• To choose the best fit for personal interest and post-secondary pathways

• To select sports teams

What is the duration of each IB course in the Diploma Program?

• One year

• One semester

• Three years

• Two years

What additional courses are offered in grade 12 to support graduation pathways?

• Creative Writing and Literature

• Social Justice 12 and Law Studies 12

• Advanced Mathematics and Physics

• Environmental Science and Biology

How are Social Justice 12 and Law Studies 12 recognized by post-secondary institutions?

• As vocational training

• As non-academic electives

• As academic courses

• As extracurricular activities

What type of learning opportunities do Social Justice 12 and Law Studies 12 offer?

• Project-based learning

• Lecture-based learning

• Self-paced learning

• Online learning