Human Services

Child Psychology 11/12

How important is play for children? Are children influenced more by their environment or their parents or their peers? Do all children develop at the same rate? Are you really that unique? Have you ever considered that you might have learned how to respond to conflict by reading fairy tales when you were young? Also, twice a week, students are paired with a buddy in Penfield School to provide academic and social support. 40% of the course is this practicum work. 

Psychology 11

Is Psychology a science or a belief? Is it possible to understand human behaviour? How can that be if we are all 'unique'? Where is psychology used in our world? Were the great psychologists really 'out there'? Part of this course will examine the brain and how you are the master of your own destiny. Motivation and emotions drive our behaviours, sometimes defeating us or more likely leading to success. We will examine our personal fears and anxieties; consciousness and dreams; and personal and cultural attitudes as a stepping stone to understanding much human behaviour. 

Psychology 12

Do your marks and your smarts clash? How do we 'learn' and what impacts our learning? Why is it easier to learn something that 'grabs' your attention? Why do you remember some things and not others? Why did Einstein fail high school and yet become a true genius? Are you a product of your genes or your environment? Is gender a factor in learning? Am I born with my personality? What does stress have to do with my behaviour? What are Psychological Disorders and will I get one?

Sports Leadership 9/10/11/12

If you enjoy sports, are self-motivated, and want to be part of a vibrant and dynamic team, this course is for you. Central to the program is the organization and operation of an inclusive intramural program. Students will also assist sports teams and coaches at Timberline and in the larger community. Other responsibilities will involve: coaching, tournament organization, score keeping, officiating, planning/operating elementary school events, and organizing/operating Timberline's Athletic Banquet. Sports Leadership is a year-long course operating outside the regular timetable with class meetings taking place on Tuesday at 7:30am and Thursdays at lunch. In addition to htis, students are required to complete volunteer work each semester.

Philosophy 11

Why do we hold beliefs that are logical contradictions, or beliefs that are easily disproved? By examining the origin of such beliefs, how such beliefs propagate, and how we and our fallible brains resist evidence to the contrary, you will begin to develop the meta-cognitive awareness that is required to think critically.

"The first principle is that you must not fool yourself and you are the easiest person to fool." ~Richard Feynman

This course is about meta-cognition: thinking about thinking. It aims to provide a foundation for you to begin examining the process of thinking, how our brains deceive us, and tools we can use to avoid fooling ourselves. 

Philosophy 12

Does God exist? How about free will or souls? What is consciousness? Is war ever justified? How about abortion, euthanasia, or torture? What is a just society? In any given situation, how do you determine: what is the right thing to do? How do you know what you know?

"If you would be a real seeker after truth, you must at least once in your life doubt, as far as possible, all things." ~Rene Descartes

In this course you will cultivate and refine your critical thinking skills by considering fundamental questions such as these. While the questions hopefully pique your intellectual curiosity, the emphasis is not necessarily on the answers, but on the process of rigorously addressing the possibilities.

Leadership 9/10/11/12

Are you interested in making Timberline the best it can be? Then this is for you! Students will meet at 7:30 a.m. every Wednesday and Mondays at lunchtime as a full class and will attend other small committee meetings at various times. The class will work in many areas of Timberline including the organizing and administration of events such as holiday activities, school improvement, staff appreciation, multiculturalism, conferences, foster child, toy drive, food drive, fund raising, and spirit activities. The class will cover skills in time management, public speaking, meeting management, event organizing, public relations, reflection and evaluation. Students are required to have a binder with dividers and paper.