Canadian & World Studies

Want to make a difference in this ever changing world?  Are you drowning in a sea of misinformation and disinformation?  Do you know how your government is meant to work for you, not against you?  How can you speak truth to power?  In Civics you’ll learn all about how Canada’s democratic institutions, how to effectively sift fact from fiction in today's ever changing world, and how to stay informed about news that affects you right now and in the future.  Civics also equips students with the knowledge and skills in reading, writing,, communication and critical thinking skills they’ll need in future grades and beyond.  Learn how to be an informed, active, and engaged global citizen.

Do you ever wonder how Canada became a more recognized and independent nation? Do you want to be more informed about the history and the cultures of the people who made Canada the country it is today?  Learning history is important because you learn about political ideas, cultural traditions, social patterns, and economic structures inherited from the past that are very important in shaping the world in which we live today. Throughout this course, 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 Canadian identity, citizenship, and heritage. 

Have you ever wondered how anthropologists are able to date bones millions of years old? Or, do we come from Apes? What about how and why some of us develop anti-social behaviour? Why do we even attend school? Who decides what courses we take in High School? Why do I act the way I do? These are some of the questions that will come up in this fascinating course. We focus on the introductory level of the three social science disciplines and form skills on how to break through the millions of pieces of disinformation online. We also examine fascinating experiments that help us to learn more about ourselves.

Do you enjoy true crime, or want to learn about famous legal cases, such as the case of Robert Pickton, Bruce McArthur, Luka Magnotta, or Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka? Do you also enjoy debates and wish to participate in a mock trial? Then Gr. 11 Law is for you! In this course, you will learn all about Canadian law, but also about your Charter rights and freedoms as Canadians. The course also discusses civil matters, including family law, personal injury and negligence, in addition to contracts and workplace harassment or discrimination. The course also invites guest speakers, including lawyers and police officers to speak about their experiences in our legal system.

Have you ever wondered about how the Ancient Egyptians built the pyramids? Or what was the original purpose of Stonehenge? Do you like discovering stories about the daily lives of gladiators, knights, scholars from the Golden Age of Islam, or female rulers throughout history? Then Grade 11 History is for you. The course begins with an examination of prehistory (before the written word), examines a number of civilizations from around the world such as Egypt, Greece & Rome, China, the Islamic Middle East and ends with the Middle Ages in Europe. 

Do you ever find yourself staring at the ceiling, wondering what life is all about? Do you wonder if other people see colours the same way you do? Or ask "what is time" and "is there anything that has always existed"? If you do - then Philosophy is for you. Philosophy seeks to answer all of the questions that science can't. We will look at what great thinkers throughout history have said about the nature of reality, the existence of a supreme being, what makes right and wrong, can our senses be trusted, is there such a thing as free will, and many others. You will also be encouraged to share your own ideas about life, the universe, and your place in it.

Black Lives Matter. Women’s Rights. The One Percent. Truth and Reconciliation. Why are societies always dividing themselves into groups where some people seem to have all the power while others are left with none? Is this a natural part of human existence, or is it right that we fight these injustices to create a more fair and equitable world? Why do humans fear change, and what barriers exist in society that keep us from dismantling structures that enforce discrimination?  In this class we will look at some of the root causes for inequality, and the social justice movements that exist in Canada and around the world that work to bring about change.  If you took HSP this is a natural follow up.

Are you interested in law, politics, human rights and global issues? Then Gr. 12 Law is for you! In this course, you will learn about both Canadian and American rights, and how laws impact real world issues, like war crimes, human rights and climate change. We also have debates on controversial laws around the world, and look at famous international cases, such as the cases of serial killers Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, Richard Ramirez, and John Wayne Gacy. You can also become a lawyer, or a judge for a day, arguing an international case in a mock trial. The course also invites guest speakers, including lawyers and police officers to speak about current events. 

Do you ever wonder how the world became the way it is today? Do you find yourself thinking about why current conflicts exist or why some countries don’t get along with each other? The Grade 12 History course can help you to understand that the present is a result of the past.  In this course students examine world history over the past 500 years. This includes looking at societies from around the world and how they interacted with each other. If you are interested in the evolution of government, the daily lives of nobles and peasants, revolutions and war or even cultural and technological advances then this course is for you.