The Canadian and World Studies Department offers a range of compulsory and optional courses. We aim to provide students with a deeper understanding of our country and the world.
Grade 9 De-streamed, Issues in Canadian Geography (CGC1D1):
This course examines interrelationships within and between Canada's natural and human systems, and how these systems interconnect with those in other parts of the world. Students will explore environmental, economic, and social geographic issues relating to topics such as transportation options, energy choices, and urban development. Students will apply the concepts of geographic thinking and the geographic inquiry process, including spatial technologies, to investigate various geographic issues and to develop possible approaches for making Canada a more sustainable place in which to live.
Grade 9 Accommodated, Geography of Canada (CGC1DB):
Note: this is an "Accommodated" class
This course focuses on geographic issues that affect Canadians today. Students will draw on personal and everyday experiences as they learn about Canada's distinct and changing character, and the natural and human systems, and global influences, that shape the country. Students will use a variety of geotechnologies, and inquiry and communication methods to examine practical geographical questions and communicate their findings.
Grade 10 Canadian History Since World War I:
CHC2D1: Grade 10 Academic
CHC2P1: Grade 10 Applied
This course explores some of the pivotal events and experiences that have influenced the development of Canada's identity as a nation from World War I to the present. Students will investigate the challenges presented by economic, social, and technological changes and explore the contributions of individuals and groups to Canadian culture and society during this period. Students will develop their ability to make connections between historical and current events. They will have opportunities to formulate questions, locate information, develop informed opinions, and present ideas about the central issues and events of the period.
Grade 10 Locally Developed, Canadian History Since World War I (CHC2LL):
This course focuses on the connections between the student and key people, events, and themes in Canadian history from World War I to the present. Students prepare for the Grades 11 and 12 Workplace Preparation history courses through the development and extension of historical literacy and inquiry skills. Students explore a variety of topics highlighting individuals and events that have contributed to the story of Canada. The major themes of Canadian identity, internal and external relationships, and changes since 1914, are explored through guided investigation. Students have the opportunity to extend analytical skills with a focus on identifying and interpreting events and perspectives, and making connections. Students practice reading, writing, visual and oral literacy skills, and mathematical literacy skills, to identify and communicate ideas in a variety of forms.
Grade 10 Open, Civics (CHV2OH):
Note: this is a half credit course, combined with the Careers (CIV2CA) course
This course explores what it means to be an informed, participating citizen in a democratic society. Students will learn about the elements of democracy in local, national, and global contexts, about political reactions to social change, and about political decision-making processes in Canada. They will explore their own and others’ ideas about civics questions and learn how to think critically about public issues and react responsibly to them.
Travel and Tourism, A Geographic Perspective:
CGG3O1: Grade 11 Open
Prerequisite: Grade 9 De-streamed or Accommodated Canadian Geography
This course focuses on travel and tourism as the vehicle for studying selected world regions. Using a variety of geotechnologies and inquiry and communication methods, students will conduct and present case studies that develop their understanding of the unique characteristics of selected world regions; the environmental, cultural, economic, and political factors that influence travel and tourism; and the impact of the travel industry on communities and environments around the world.
American History:
CHA3U1: Grade 11 University
Prerequisite: Grade 10 Academic or Applied, Canadian History Since World War I
This course traces the social, economic, and political development of the United States from colonial times to the present. Students will examine issues of diversity, identity, and culture that have influenced the country's social and political formation, and will consider the implications of its expansion into a global superpower. Students will use critical-thinking and communication skills to determine casual relationships, evaluate multiple perspectives, and present their own points of view.
World History to the End of the Fifteenth Century:
CHW3M1: Grade 11 University/College
Prerequisite: Grade 10 Academic or Applied, Canadian History Since World War I
This course investigates the history of various societies around the world, from earliest times to around 1500 CE. Students will examine life in and the legacy of various ancient and pre-modern societies throughout the world, including those in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Students will extend their ability to apply the concepts of historical thinking and the historical inquiry process, including the interpretation and analysis of evidence, when investigating social, political and economic structures, and historical forces at work in various societies and in different historical eras.
Understanding Canadian Law:
CLU3M1: Grade 11 University/College
Prerequisite: Grade 10 Academic or Applied, Canadian History Since World War I
This course explores Canadian law with a focus on legal issues that are relevant to people's everyday lives. Students will investigate fundamental legal concepts and processes to gain a practical understanding of Canada's legal system, including the criminal justice system. Students will use critical-thinking, inquiry, and communication skills to develop informed opinions on legal issues and apply this knowledge in a variety of ways and settings, including case analysis, legal research projects, mock trials, and debates.
The Individual and the Economy:
CIE3M1: Grade 11 University/College
Prerequisite: Grade 10 Academic or Applied, Canadian History Since World War I
This course explores issues and challenges facing the Canadian economy, as well as the implications of various responses to them. Students will explore the economic role of firms, workers, and government, as well as their own role as individual consumers and contributors, and how all of these roles contribute to stability and change in the Canadian economy. Students will apply the concepts of economic thinking and the economic inquiry process, including economic models, to investigate the impact of economic issues and decisions at the individual, regional and national level.
Making Personal Economic Choices:
CIC4E1: Grade 12 Workplace
Prerequisite: Grade 10 Academic or Applied, Canadian History Since World War I
Want to learn how to better manage your money? Do you want to learn about investing, budgeting, credit, debt and how to financially plan your future? This course teaches you how to make a number of informed decisions about how to be responsible and proactive with your personal finances. Students will examine practical financial matters, such as personal budgeting, taxes, credit and debt, and savings and investment, as well as various economic issues, such as those related to the underground economy, economic inequality, and consumer behaviour. Students will apply the concepts of economic thinking, the economic inquiry process, and economic models to investigate various economic issues and structures, and analyze the impact of economic decisions at a personal, community and national level.
Canadian and International Politics:
CPW4U1: Grade 12 University
Prerequisite: Any university or university/college course in CWS, English, or Social Sciences
This course explores various perspectives on issues in Canadian and world politics. Students will explore political decision making and ways in which individuals, stakeholder groups, and various institutions, including governments, multinational corporations, and non-governmental organizations, respond to and work to address domestic and international issues. Students will apply the concepts of political thinking and the political inquiry process to investigate issues, events, and developments of national and international political importance, and to develop and communicate informed opinions about them.
Canadian and International Law:
CLN4U1: Grade 12 University
Prerequisite: Any university or university/college course in CWS, English, or Social Sciences
This course explores a range of contemporary legal issues and how they are addressed in both Canadian and international law. Students will develop an understanding of the principles of Canadian and international law and of issues related to human rights and freedoms, conflict resolution, and criminal, environmental, and workplace law, both in Canada and internationally. Students will apply the concepts of legal thinking and the legal studies inquiry process, and will develop legal reasoning skills, when investigating these and other issues in both Canadian and international contexts.
World History Since the Fifteenth Century:
CHY4U1: Grade 12 University
Prerequisite: Any university or university/college course in CWS, English, or Social Sciences
This course traces major developments and events in world history since approximately 1450. Students will explore social, economic, and political changes, the historical roots of contemporary issues, and the role of conflict and cooperation in global interrelationships. They will extend their ability to apply the concepts of historical thinking and the historical inquiry process, including the interpretation and analysis of evidence, as they investigate key issues and ideas, and assess societal progress or decline in world history.
World Issues, A Geographical Analysis:
CGW4U1: Grade 12 University (Prerequisite: Any university or university/college course in CWS, English, or Social Sciences)
CGW4C1: Grade 12 College (Prerequisite: Grade 9 De-streamed or Accommodated Canadian Geography)
This course explores the global challenge of creating a more sustainable and equitable world. Students will explore global inequities, including those related to food, water, energy, and development, and will explore global issues through environmental, social, economic, and political lenses. Students will apply the concepts of geographic thinking and the geographic inquiry process, including spatial technologies, to investigate these complex issues, including their impact on natural and human communities around the world.