Global Studies and Global Languages

Aboriginal Studies

Aboriginal Studies 10, a 5-credit course delving into the traditions and history of Canada's indigenous peoples, with a focus on Alberta. From governmental structures to literature and the arts, students engage deeply with four key themes: Origin and Settlement Patterns, Aboriginal World Views, Political and Economic Organization, and Aboriginal Symbolism and Expression. Building upon this foundation, Aboriginal Studies 20 and 30 offer sequential explorations into indigenous life, examining topics such as conflict, cultural change, treaties, legislation, and self-government. With each level, students delve deeper into the complexities of Aboriginal peoples in Canadian society and global contexts.

Spanish and French

French or Spanish 10:

In these introductory courses, students learn basic vocabulary, expressions, conversational exchanges, and foundational structures. They also learn about Francophone or Hispanic traditions, cultures, and ways of life. The guiding theme for this introductory course is making new connections. Students listen to authentic speaking from varied sources, participate in conversations, and write short texts on a range of topics. Most communication focuses on the present and present progressive tenses, with some use of the near future. Additionally, this course introduces the use of reflexive verbs, as well as conversational exchanges about past events and actions.

French or Spanish 20:

This intermediate course builds on vocabulary and structures acquired at the 10-level. Students participate in more complex listening practices, conversations, readings, and written communication. They expand their understanding of cultures and traditions across the Francophone and Hispanic worlds. The theme for this course is stories (listening to them, reading, analysing, crafting, and sharing them with others). This course includes a major focus on two past tenses, object pronouns, the conditional, and the imperative. Students continue to practice and refine uses of present and future tenses, as well as reflexive and reciprocal verbs in multiple tenses, while diversifying their contextualised vocabulary.

French or Spanish 30:

This final course consolidates and builds forward from vocabulary and structures acquired at the 10- and 20-levels. Students participate in sophisticated listening practices, conversations, readings, and written communication. They deepen their understanding of Francophone or Hispanic cultural practices and ways of life across different communities. The theme for this course is taking stock and looking ahead. Students continue using present tenses with greater accuracy, refining the combined use of past tenses, and combining object pronouns. Additionally, they practice the conditional in present and past, as well as the imperative with pronominal forms. This course introduces the past conditional and present subjunctive. Students fine-tune their speaking and writing about the future, use reflexive and reciprocal verbs in multiple tenses, while polishing and extending contextualised vocabulary for different communication purposes, registers, and settings.