ISK Course Descriptions                                                                                                                                                            
2008 Graduation Program for
BC Dogwood High School Diploma

To be eligible for the BC High School Diploma students must have a total of 80 credits:
48 credits from required (foundation) courses
28 credits from elective courses
4 credits for the Graduation Portfolio
or fulfill the Graduation Transitions requirements
Write 5 Provincial Exams*, one at the Grade 12 Level.
* Indicates courses with Provincial Exams

Grade10
  subject                     credit          subject                 credit

Grade 11
  subject                     credit            subject               credit

Grade 12
  subject                     credit           subject               credit

Elective Courses
   subject                     credit           subject               credit

The History of Art: Visual Arts 10
The History of Art introduces Western art throughout human history.
Art is explored as an expression of how we observe and experience the world.
It makes visible what mattered to people of different ages. It shows us when religion,
love, poetry, music, or the material outer world was of the greatest importance for the
people of the age in which it was produced. The student will be asked to create pieces
of artwork in the style and tradition of different time periods.

Language Arts 10: The Power of the Word
In this course students are looking at a range of literature and language. They will build
their understanding of the conventions employed in the evolution of the written word
through myths, legends, epic poetry, short story narratives and short feature film.
Students will apply appropriate strategies to read, interpret, and understand narrative
texts. Through the use of elements of narrative such as plot, character, setting, theme,
and mood, students learn, understand and interpret narrative text. Students will
demonstrate their understanding of different narrative forms by recording their thoughts,
feelings and ideas in a variety of personal responses.

Math 10
Students will encounter and explore geometry, trigonometry and algebra.
Geometry: Descriptive geometry, work on circle and line, and elements of projective
geometry.
Trigonometry: How to find the height of a building, or another object that cannot be
measured directly. From this the four basic trigonometric functions are introduced.
Algebra: This component of the course will explore quadratic equations, powers with
whole and rational indices, logarithms, and number series.

Physical Education 10: Movement & Active Living
Students will explore how physical activity is an important part of a holistic approach to
health through engaging in a diverse range of physical activities. They will become curious
about which activities are suitable for their individual constitution, body type and inclination,
and connect/consult with physical activity professionals in the community to further their
experiential understanding of the importance of physical movement.

Planning 10: Communication & Social Engagement
Planning 10 is a holistic journey into the students’ educational needs in order to graduate,
as well as exploration of career paths and attendant job seeking skills. This journey
includes forays into financial literacy and planning as well as into the parameters of health,
including healthy living, relationships, and decision-making. Woven into these processes
are different communication and learning style exercises and experiences that will broaden
the student self-awareness and self-expression.

Science 10
This course has been created to meet the requirements of the grade 10 science learning
outcomes, and to prepare students for the grade 10 Provincial Exam.
Students will be engaged with four components of science: applications of science, life
science, physical science, and earth and space science. Through a practical approach to
scientific questions and processes, the student’s sense of wonder about the world is evoked,
and a sense of responsibility to the world is encouraged.

Social Studies 10: Canadian History 10
This course will provide students with the opportunity to explore a variety of historical
voices from 19th and early 20th century Canada. Touching on the subjects of Canadian
Confederation, they will encounter divergent voices in the process of nation building, and
delve into the experiences of early immigrants to Canada. History shapes the identity of
people and of nations, and understanding the history of a country allows us to better
understand its present. With this in mind, students explore the history of Canada in the
19th and early 20th century.

Practical Arts Workshops 10, 11 & 12
Throughout the year ISK will offer a series of practical arts workshops that will include:
bookbinding, papermaking, clay explorations, carving-stone and wood, basketry, copper
work, and leatherwork. Enrollment in two of the workshops will fulfill requirements for 2
elective credits.

Fine Arts 11 History of Music
In the History of Music the student will have the opportunity to explore, experience and
respond to a variety of musical expressions from the Western world. Students will become
familiar with the basic elements and principles of music and how their cultural and historical
contexts shape them. Attention is given to both sacred and secular music, and students will
learn about instruments throughout history.

Language Arts 11
Every human being must face the questions of destiny and identity.  Who are we, and what
is the meaning in our life?  Why are we here? Is there a purpose to our lives? These are all
questions that come from humankind's search for meaning in life.
These themes are explored in a variety of literary genres, including poetry, novels, short
stories/speeches, and film, ranging from classical literature to modern forms of poetry such
as spoken word. Literary devices are examined and students are invited to explore the
existence of bias, determine its effect, and contrast this with a more objective presentation
of opinion.
Their personal voice is explored through the narrative genres of biography and memoir,
including the creation of the students’ own personal narrative.

Physics 11
Physics 11 introduces students to the study of theories of space, time, force, movement and
relativity. Students will develop experiential understanding of the fundamental principles behind
these theories.

Physical Education 11: Movement & Active Living
Students will further explore how physical activity is an important part of a holistic approach to
health and self-knowledge. They will engage in experiential/adventure education and explore the
components of leadership and community program coordination in the area of physical activity.

Biology 11
Biology 11 is concerned with the foundations of biological life and how we understand these
specifically Western evolutionary theories.
The three main themes in this course are unity and diversity, evolutionary relationships and
ecological relationships.

Social Studies 11
Canada is a country shaped by events within and outside the country.
This course is an exploration of the role of Canada as an autonomous nation, and as a
member of the world community. Global issues such as poverty, environmental degradation,
and the impact of these issues on the lives of people will be explored. Investigating the nature
of Canada as a multicultural country, the course asks the question “ what is the Canadian
identity?”, inviting the student into an experience of the forces that both shape and reflect
the Canadian identity.

Earth Science 11/Gaiosophy
Earth Science/ Gaiasophy is the study of the earth and her processes through time and
space. In this course students will study aspects of evolution, geology and geography by
exploring the origins of the physical earth in the universe through creation theories, solar
systems, the Pre-Cambrian, Palaeozoic, Mesozoic and Cainozoic eras to the present day
era of the human being. The geography section will cover agricultural and rural areas,
mountain ranges, deserts, waterways and their processes, as well as the formation of
the continents.

Math 11
Students will encounter and explore mathematics of finance, geometry, trigonometry and
algebra.

B.C. First Nations Studies 12
In this course students will explore several key themes relating to the history and
experiences of the First Nations peoples in BC, Canada and North America. They will
examine the First Nation concepts of and relationships to land and how these are embedded
in their cultural traditions and practices. Students will investigate historical experiences upon
contact and during colonialist period (ongoing) and identify where and how resistance was
made and met. The final phase of the course brings the students to 20th Century efforts by
First Nations to take leading roles in their own self-determination.

Biology 12
Biology 12 is concerned with human biology.
Students will explore the systems of the human body, their interrelationship, and how
they create and support homeostasis. Genetic Theory and the Cell Theory will also be
examined.

Physical Education 12: Movement & Active Living
Students will further explore how physical activity is an important part of a holistic approach
to health and self-knowledge. They will engage in leadership development activities related to
physical health and their community. They will incorporate mental, emotional and physical
elements into their understanding of health and their personal relationship to movement.

Physics 12
In Physics 12 students will continue to explore and develop understanding of the principles
of physics concerning kinematics, dynamics, work, energy and power, momentum,
equilibrium, circular motion and gravitation. Students will also be introduced to the laws
of electrostatics and electric circuits, and electromagnetism.

English 12: Language Arts
In this course students will learn to experience language in its full range of contexts and
purposes. These will include developing skills in informational and literary communication.
Students will read works of fiction, poetry, view documentary films with the goal of
developing their critical and analytical thinking and written response. Literary devices
will be explored, supporting the students experience of how language plays a role in
shaping thought through reading essays, short novels and poetry.


Independent Studies
Independent Studies 10, 11 and 12 are courses initiated, designed and completed by
students, with the support of a teacher/mentor.
ISK values self-directed, integrative learning that encourages, supports and strengthens
independent inquiry and thinking.

ISK Peace Studies Seminar
In the ISK Peace Studies Seminar 10, 11 and 12, students join the PeaceJam
Ambassadors Program. In a seminar style course, students will explore issues
related to peace, violence, social justice and oppression by engaging in the PeaceJam
curriculum. Studying the lives and work of 12 Nobel Peace Laureates and the strategies
they use to address pressing global issues, participating students will create and
implement their own local “Global Call to Action Projects”.

Fine Arts 12 History of Architecture
Architecture can be seen as an external expression of humankind’s relationship between
themselves and their outer environment. It is informed by a myriad of things, each of
which will be considered in this course: geography, weather, culture, and socio/economic/political
contexts and influences. Students will learn the fundamental elements of space, materials,
techniques and forms central to architecture.
Starting with ancient civilizations, this course will trace the development of architecture
throughout time.

Comparative Civilizations 12 
Emphasis will be on the question, “What does it means to be civilized cultures, and how is
that question related to the times?” In this course, you will explore the central issues in the
debate surrounding the word, “civilization.” Part of this work will involve examining the more
common understanding of what constitutes a civilization, including its suggested components
or elements. The next step will be to contrast this understanding with more recent critiques
of the idea that civilization is a positive force.
In the second part of the course students have the opportunity to explore several broad,
cultural categories, referred to as “ancient civilizations:” namely, those of India, China,
Greece and the Islamic civilization.  Each of these ancient civilizations continues to have
considerable impact on the dominant cultures of today’s world.

Geography 12
Geography 12 offers students the opportunity to examine both the physical and human-
created systems of the world through the study of people, places and environments. Students
will learn to interpret the landscape and understand the interconnections between people and
nature. With this understanding, students can make informed decisions related to the
management of earth’s natural resources, as well as critical analysis of cultural, economical,
social and political factors involved.

Math 12
This course will cover all topics necessary to fully prepare students to write the Grade 12
provincial math exam. Students will encounter and explore geometry, trigonometry and
algebra, statistics and probability, combinations & permutations, and the probabilities of
events.

Graduation Portfolio 12
This course invites the student to make connections between their personal choices and
their relationship to their community, the environment and the world.
At the heart of this course is the students curiosity about the question, “Why am I here?”