G10 HUMANITIES C U R R IC ULUM ADDS NE W T HR EA DS
In 2015, Alexandra McIntyre, Upper School Humanities Teacher, was selected by the BC Ministry of Education to review the humanities curriculum. Her application highlighted not only her recently acquired Master of Education, but also her independent school perspective. “The team recognised the blind spots in BC’s outdated humanities curriculum and set about reimagining it for the 21st century. Grade 10 was a natural spot for restructuring as it focuses on both critical and historical thinking,” explains Alexandra. We live in an ever-changing world, yet the injustices of the past continue to resonate today. Racism, whether overt or systemic, has fuelled much of this injustice and it is essential that students are equipped to be informed upstanders and advocates. The deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, as well as violence towards people of Asian descent, sparked ongoing conversations for Mulgrave students this year as they learned about history, economics, and geography. Our faculty are passionate about discussing current events and build these important elements into their teaching framework. In 2017, Alexandra finalised the new G10 curriculum with the BC Ministry of Education threading in important issues and events including LGBTQ+, gender equality, the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and the civil rights movements in Canada and the United States; furthermore, there is a renewed emphasis on environmental activism, and First Peoples identities and governance. “The units are designed to be open and include broad issues that incorporate diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice, and decolonisation. A challenge in humanities is ensuring graduates are well-versed in a wide range of topics and able to have varied conversations with individuals around the globe,” mentions Drew Vodrey, Humanities teacher. As an IB school, Mulgrave embraces the philosophy and mission of the IB curriculum, which focusses on developing inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. We work on integrating current events into the curriculum so students have a global perspective while understanding the varied opinions and perspectives of others. As true global citizens, our graduates have social responsibilities which are critical in our ever-changing world.
ALEX WAS HONOURED TO RECEIVE THE 2021 AMHERST COLLEGE SWIFT MOORE TEACHING AWARD UPON NOMINATION FROM ALUMNUS RAFAEL GONZALEZ, 2017.
