The 20th Century : History and Civilizations

The general orientation of The 20th Century : History and Civilizations program closely reflects the social and cultural values of the Québec school system : the sense of democracy acquired as students learn the rights and duties of citizens, and team spirit, which develops a sense of solidarity. It is also based on moral attitudes of openness to the world, tolerance, respect for cultural differences, and intellectual values such as a belief in the importance of a systematic approach to work, a critical spirit concerning social phenomena, and a search for truth. The orientation takes into account students’ expectations and the needs of Québec society as well as certain exigencies of history as a discipline. It takes the form of goals, guiding principles, and objectives. The program undertakes to satisfy the educational community’s request for an approach that integrates awareness of students’ needs, respect for the discipline of history, and an emphasis on social questions. The optional history program, The 20th Century : History and Civilizations, aims to improve students’ understanding of problems that concern all human beings and to involve them actively in the search for solutions. It includes problems specific to particular civilizations, and others that result from interaction between civilizations. It also explores ideas for solutions to the major challenges confronting the world today. The program concentrates on helping students learn to interpret the vast amount of highly diverse information about the contemporary world to which they are exposed. It explains certain present-day international problems in terms of their historical origin. This approach fosters an understanding of comparative cultural evolution. In addition, the program contributes to understanding by appealing to students’ sense of moral justice. It stresses the human aspect of political, economic and cultural problems. It draws students’ attention to the search for solutions, to the challenges that their full realization may entail, and to their own implication, as citizens of the world. Thus the historical approach permits linking past, present and future. Click on the link below to browse or download the program. hisciva.pdf  (1 400 KB, The 20th Century: History and Civilizations - Optional Program - Secondary V) 1991