Alberta · Grade 11
Social Studies 20-1
- SST2771
Alberta’s Grade 11 social studies course, from Nation, Nationalism & Identity to Contemporary & Future Canadian Identity.
- Units
- 4
- Lessons
- 8
- Skills
- 25
- Provincial exam
- None
- Official curriculum
- Alberta Education
Unit by unit
Every skill in the course, with its official code.
Unit 1 · 7 skills
Nation, Nationalism & Identity
Understanding Nation & Nationalism
Expressions of nationalism
I can explore the many ways nationalism is expressed.
Official code: 1.5
Understandings of nation and nationalism
I can develop an understanding of what nation and nationalism mean.
Official code: 1.6
Nation and nation-state
I can analyze the relationship between a nation and a nation-state.
Official code: 1.7
How nationalism develops
I can analyze how the development of nationalism is shaped by many factors.
Official code: 1.8
Nationalism, Identity & Contending Loyalties
Nationalism as identity
I can analyze nationalism as an identity and shared collective consciousness.
Official code: 1.9
Reconciling contending nationalist loyalties
I can evaluate the importance of reconciling contending nationalist loyalties.
Official code: 1.10
Reconciling non-nationalist loyalties
I can evaluate the importance of reconciling nationalism with contending non-nationalist loyalties.
Official code: 1.11
The official wording · 7 outcomes
- 1.5
- explore a range of expressions of nationalism
- 1.6
- develop understandings of nation and nationalism
- 1.7
- analyze the relationship between nation and nation-state
- 1.8
- analyze how the development of nationalism is shaped by historical, geographic, political, economic and social factors
- 1.9
- analyze nationalism as an identity, internalized feeling and/or collective consciousness shared by a people
- 1.10
- evaluate the importance of reconciling contending nationalist loyalties
- 1.11
- evaluate the importance of reconciling nationalism with contending non-nationalist loyalties
Key ideas
Nationalism is expressed in many ways: symbols and flags, anthems, language, art and celebration, sport, and public ceremony.
Nationalism can be an internalized feeling and a collective consciousness — a sense of "us" shared by a people.
Expressions can be everyday (cheering for a team) or formal (a national holiday) — both signal a shared "we".
It looks different across peoples: Canadian, Québecois, American, First Nations and Métis nationalism, and Inuit perspectives each carry their own story.
A nation can be built on many bases: relationship to land, geography, ethnicity, culture, language, religion, or shared civic and political values.
Watch out for
- Thinking nationalism is only about war or politics — it is also culture, sport and daily symbols.
- Treating nationalism as only a policy, not also a felt identity.
- Assuming every expression of nationalism means the same thing to everyone in the nation.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 2 · 6 skills
The Pursuit of National Interest
National Interest & Ultranationalism
Nationalism and the pursuit of national interest
I can explore the relationship between nationalism and the pursuit of national interest.
Official code: 2.4
National interest and foreign policy
I can analyze how the pursuit of national interest shapes foreign policy.
Official code: 2.5
Nationalism and ultranationalism
I can analyze the relationship between nationalism and ultranationalism.
Official code: 2.6
Conflict, Genocide & Self-Determination
Ultranationalism in times of conflict
I can analyze nationalism and ultranationalism during times of conflict.
Official code: 2.7
Ultranationalism and genocide
I can analyze ultranationalism as a cause of genocide.
Official code: 2.8
National self-determination
I can analyze the impacts of the pursuit of national self-determination.
Official code: 2.9
The official wording · 6 outcomes
- 2.4
- explore the relationship between nationalism and the pursuit of national interest
- 2.5
- analyze how the pursuit of national interest shapes foreign policy
- 2.6
- analyze the relationship between nationalism and ultranationalism
- 2.7
- analyze nationalism and ultranationalism during times of conflict
- 2.8
- analyze ultranationalism as a cause of genocide
- 2.9
- analyze impacts of the pursuit of national self-determination
Key ideas
A nation's sense of itself shapes what it counts as its "national interest" — security, prosperity, prestige and the survival of the nation.
Nationalism and ultranationalism helped cause and fuel the First and Second World Wars.
Nationalism and national interest feed each other: a stronger national identity produces bolder claims about what the nation is owed.
Conflict-era examples include ultranationalism in Japan, internments in Canada, and the conscription crises.
National interest (security, prosperity, prestige) drives the choices a country makes toward other countries — its foreign policy.
Watch out for
- Treating "national interest" as an objective fact rather than something nationalism helps define.
- Single-cause thinking — the World Wars had many causes, not nationalism alone.
- Assuming national interest is only about security — it also includes economic and cultural goals.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 3 · 6 skills
Nationalism & Internationalism
Motives & Understandings of Internationalism
Motives for involvement in world affairs
I can analyze the motives of nations getting involved (or not) in international affairs.
Official code: 3.4
Understandings of internationalism
I can explore what internationalism means.
Official code: 3.5
Promoting internationalism through foreign policy
I can analyze how internationalism can be promoted through foreign policy.
Official code: 3.6
International Organizations & the Nationalism Tension
Organizations that promote internationalism
I can evaluate the extent to which organizations promote internationalism.
Official code: 3.7
Impacts of pursuing internationalism
I can analyze the impacts of pursuing internationalism on contemporary global issues.
Official code: 3.8
Nationalism versus internationalism
I can evaluate the extent to which nationalism must be sacrificed for internationalism.
Official code: 3.9
The official wording · 6 outcomes
- 3.4
- analyze the motives of nation and state involvement or noninvolvement in international affairs
- 3.5
- explore understandings of internationalism
- 3.6
- analyze how internationalism can be promoted through foreign policy
- 3.7
- evaluate the extent to which selected organizations promote internationalism
- 3.8
- analyze impacts of the pursuit of internationalism in addressing contemporary global issues
- 3.9
- evaluate the extent to which nationalism must be sacrificed in the interest of internationalism
Key ideas
Nations engage the world for motives like economic stability, self-determination, peace, security and humanitarianism.
Bodies like the United Nations, World Council of Indigenous Peoples, European Union and Arctic Council are built to promote internationalism.
The same action can spring from mixed motives — humanitarian aid can also serve a national interest.
Evaluation asks how MUCH each actually delivers — effectiveness, not just intention.
Internationalism is cooperation among nations toward shared goals — peace, prosperity, human rights and problem-solving across borders.
Watch out for
- Assuming international action is purely selfless OR purely self-interested — it is usually mixed.
- Assuming an organization automatically succeeds because its goal is internationalist.
- Single-motive thinking — most involvement has several motives at once.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 4 · 6 skills
Contemporary & Future Canadian Identity
Perspectives on & Promotion of Canadian Identity
Perspectives on national identity in Canada
I can explore multiple perspectives on national identity in Canada.
Official code: 4.4
Promoting a national identity
I can analyze the methods used to promote a national identity in Canada.
Official code: 4.5
Historical perspectives of Canada as a nation
I can examine historical perspectives of Canada as a nation.
Official code: 4.6
National Unity & Future Visions of Canada
Challenges and opportunities of national unity
I can evaluate the challenges and opportunities of promoting Canadian national unity.
Official code: 4.7
Personal and collective visions of national identity
I can develop personal and collective visions of national identity.
Official code: 4.9
Future visions of Canada
I can evaluate various perspectives on the future of Canada.
Official code: 4.8
The official wording · 6 outcomes
- 4.4
- explore multiple perspectives on national identity in Canada
- 4.5
- analyze methods used by individuals, groups and governments in Canada to promote a national identity
- 4.6
- examine historical perspectives of Canada as a nation
- 4.7
- evaluate the challenges and opportunities associated with the promotion of Canadian national unity
- 4.9
- develop personal and collective visions of national identity
- 4.8
- evaluate various perspectives of future visions of Canada
Key ideas
There is no single Canadian identity — perspectives differ across regions, peoples, and generations.
National unity faces real tensions: Québec sovereignty, federal-provincial-territorial relations, Aboriginal self-determination and land claims, bilingualism, and multiculturalism.
Exploring perspectives means representing each fairly before judging any.
Each is both a challenge AND an opportunity — evaluation weighs both, with a criterion.
Individuals, groups and governments promote national identity through symbolism, mythology, institutions, and government programs and initiatives.
Watch out for
- Assuming there is one "real" Canadian identity everyone shares.
- Seeing only the threats to unity OR only the opportunities — mature analysis holds both.
- Collapsing multiple perspectives into one before representing each fairly.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Plan the term
Pick your term and the days you study. Each unit gets its share of the weeks and comes back a week later for a review. The last two weeks go over the whole course.
Which course?
Alberta has 2 social studies courses for Grade 11. Here they are side by side.
- Social Studies 20-1This courseSST27714 units · 25 skillsNo provincial examWhat it coversNation, Nationalism & Identity · The Pursuit of National Interest · Nationalism & Internationalism · Contemporary & Future Canadian Identity
- Social Studies 20-2SST27724 units · 26 skillsNo provincial examWhat it coversNation, Nationalism & Identity · National Interest & Ultranationalism · Nationalism & Internationalism · Contemporary & Future Canadian Identity
What a university, college or program asks for is theirs to say: check its admission page, and your school’s course guide.
The official curriculum
This page follows Alberta’s own curriculum for Social Studies 20-1.
Study it in MapleMind
MapleMind teaches Social Studies 20-1 one skill at a time. Each skill gets a short lesson, practice as you go and a check worth up to three stars. It remembers where you stopped.
Course Companion
Your year in one workbook
A fun way to keep Social Studies 20-1 organized, get to know your child better and see early when they need a hand. Fill it in on a screen, or print it.
- Pages
- 28
- Fillable fields
- 866
- Price
- $4.99
Questions about Social Studies 20-1
What is Social Studies 20-1?
Alberta’s Grade 11 social studies course: 4 units and 25 skills, from Nation, Nationalism & Identity to Contemporary & Future Canadian Identity.
What units are in Social Studies 20-1?
1. Nation, Nationalism & Identity, 2. The Pursuit of National Interest, 3. Nationalism & Internationalism and 4. Contemporary & Future Canadian Identity.
Is there a provincial exam for Social Studies 20-1?
No. Alberta gives no provincial exam for Social Studies 20-1.
What comes after Social Studies 20-1?
Social Studies 30-1 and Social Studies 30-2.
Can MapleMind help with Social Studies 20-1?
Yes. MapleMind teaches every skill of Social Studies 20-1, step by step, with practice and checks, and its tutor answers questions about any of them. It’s free with daily limits, on iPhone, Android and the web.
Get ready for Social Studies 20-1
Practise every skill of Social Studies 20-1 in MapleMind, free with daily limits.
