Enjoy hands-on learning with GBD Canadian & World Studies Courses in Geography, History, Law and more
The Canadian and World Studies Department offers compulsory courses in Grades 9 and 10.
In Grade 9, students will study Issues in Canadian Geography. Here they will combine technological learning and hands-on experiences to learn about the current geographic issues that affect Canadians.
In Grade 10, they will study Canadian History Since World War I, at the Academic, Applied, or Locally Developed level. In this course, students will learn about the people, events, and groups that have shaped the history of our nation and world, and how what we have learned have impacted our present.
Also in Grade 10 students will study Civics and Citizenship at the Open level. Here, students will learn how our government works, and how to be a responsible citizen.
Students will also continue their studies in Geography, History or Law in Grade 11 and 12.
GRADE 9
Issues in Canadian Geography, CGC1W
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.
Prerequisite: None
GRADE 10
Canadian History Since World War One, Academic - CHC2D
History students host a Virtual Remembrance Day Ceremony, November 2020
This course explores social, economic, and political developments and events and their impact on the lives of different individuals, groups, and communities, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individuals and communities, in Canada since 1914. Students will examine the role of conflict and cooperation in Canadian society, Canada’s evolving role within the global community, and the impact of various individuals, organizations, and events on identities, citizenship, and heritage in Canada. Students will develop an understanding of some of the political developments and government policies that have had a lasting impact on First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individuals and communities. They will develop their ability to apply the concepts of historical thinking and the historical inquiry process, including the interpretation and analysis of evidence, when investigating key issues and events in Canadian history since 1914.
Prerequisite: None
Canadian History Since World War I, Applied - CHC2P
This course focuses on the social context of historical developments and events and how they have affected the lives of people in Canada, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individuals and communities, since 1914. Students will explore interactions between various communities in Canada as well as contributions of individuals and groups to heritage and identities in Canada. Students will develop an understanding of some key political developments and government policies that have had an impact on First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individuals and communities. They will develop their ability to apply the concepts of historical thinking and the historical inquiry process, including the interpretation and analysis of evidence, when investigating the continuing relevance of historical developments and how they have helped shape communities in present-day Canada.
Prerequisite: None
Civics and Citizenship, Open - CHV2O
Civics students raising money and supplies for Angels with Backpacks
This course explores rights and responsibilities associated with being an active citizen in a democratic society. Students will explore issues of civic importance such as healthy schools, community planning, environmental responsibility, and the influence of social media, while developing their understanding of the role of civic engagement and of political processes in the local, national, and/or global community. Students will apply the concepts of political thinking and the political inquiry process to investigate, and express informed opinions about, a range of political issues and developments that are both of significance in today’s world and of personal interest to them.
Prerequisite: None
GRADE 11
Travel and Tourism: A Geographic Perspective, Open - CGG3O
This course focuses on issues related to travel and tourism within and between various regions of the world. Students will investigate unique environmental, sociocultural, economic, and political characteristics of selected world regions. They will explore travel patterns and trends, as well as tensions related to tourism, and will predict future tourism destinations. Students will apply the concepts of geographic thinking and the geographic inquiry process, including spatial technologies, to investigate the impact of the travel industry on natural environments and human communities.
Prerequisite: Issues in Canadian Geography, Grade 9, Academic or Applied
World History to the End of the Fifteenth Century, University/College - CHW3M
This course explores the history of various societies and civilizations around the world, from earliest times to around 1500 CE. Students will investigate a range of factors that contributed to the rise, success, and decline of various ancient and pre-modern societies throughout the world and will examine life in and the cultural and political legacy of these societies. 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.
Prerequisite: Canadian History since World War I, Grade 10, Academic or Applied
Understanding Canadian Law, University/College - CLU3M
This course explores Canadian law, with a focus on legal issues that are relevant to the lives of people in Canada. Students will gain an understanding of laws relating to rights and freedoms in Canada; our legal system; and family, contract, employment, tort, and criminal law. Students will develop legal reasoning skills and will apply the concepts of legal thinking and the legal studies inquiry process when investigating a range of legal issues and formulating and communicating informed opinions about them.
Prerequisite: Canadian History Since World War I, Academic or Applied
Understanding Canadian Law in Everyday Life, Workplace - CLU3E
This course enables students to develop a practical understanding of laws that affect the everyday lives of people in Canada, including their own lives. Students will gain an understanding of the need for laws, and of their rights, freedoms, and responsibilities under Canadian law. Topics include laws relating to marriage, the workplace, cyberbullying, and criminal offences. Students will begin to develop legal reasoning skills and will apply the concepts of legal thinking and the legal studies inquiry process when investigating legal issues that are relevant to life in Canada today.
Prerequisite: Canadian History Since World War I, Academic or Applied, or the Locally Developed Compulsory Course (LDCC) in Canadian History
GRADE 12
World Issues, College - CGW4C
This course explores many difficult challenges facing Canada and the world today – challenges such as unequal access to food, water, and energy; urbanization; globalization; and meeting the needs of a growing world population while ensuring the sustainability of the natural environment. Students will explore these and other world issues from environmental, social, economic, and political perspectives, while applying the concepts of geographic thinking, the geographic inquiry process, and spatial technologies to guide and support their investigations.
Prerequisite: Issues in Canadian Geography, Grade 9, Academic or Applied
World History since the Fifteenth Century, College - CHY4C
This course explores key developments and events in world history since approximately 1450, with a focus on interactions within and between various regions. Students will examine social, economic, and political developments and how they have affected different peoples. 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 key turning points in world history and historical forces that have shaped our world.
Prerequisite: Any University, University/College, or College preparation course in Canadian and World Studies, English, or Social Sciences and Humanities
World History since the Fifteenth Century, University - CHY4U
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.
Prerequisite: Any University or University/College preparation course in Canadian and World Studies, English, or Social Sciences and Humanities
Legal Studies, College - CLN4C
This course provides a foundation for students who wish to pursue a career that requires an understanding of law. Students will explore the importance of law, analysing contemporary legal issues and their relevance to daily life. They will investigate the requirements for various law-related careers as well as legal responsibilities in the workplace. Students will apply the concepts of legal thinking and the legal studies inquiry process to investigate their rights and responsibilities, legal processes and structures, and the role of law in a changing society.
Prerequisite: Civics and Citizenship, Grade 10
Canadian and International Law, University - CLN4U
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.
Prerequisite: Any University or University/College preparation course in Canadian and World Studies, English, or Social Sciences and Humanities