Social Studies Minor Courses

PLSC 1101- Introduction to Government and Politics: This course provides a systematic introduction to the basic concepts and institutions of the process of politics.

Reflections: This course taught me the basics of how governments and politics work. It introduced the ideas of different political systems, ideologies and government structures. The course gave me insights to different government regimes throughout history and some of the key players involved. The course expanded upon concepts such as Democracy that can be implemented in the classroom.

INST 2710- Indigenous Arts of North America: This course offers an investigation into the arts of the Indigenous peoples of North America and the distinctive traditions associated with the Arctic, the Woodlands, the Plains, the Northwest Coast and the Southwest. Particular emphasis will be placed on Indigenous art of the modern and contemporary world.

Reflections: This course taught me that we should not be looking at Indigenous art through a historical lense. Contemporary Indigenous art still exists today and it should not be viewed as the past. The course taught me about Indigenous artists who have fought for their rights to be more than a historical footnote as well as highlighting the atrocities that Indigenous Peoples have dealt with through their art. This course provided me with a better perspective on Indigenous art and culture and showed me that Indigenous art is not history, it is also the present.

INST 1101- Intro to Indigenous Studies: This course provides an introduction to the interdisciplinary field of Indigenous Studies. Specifically, the course surveys the diverse histories and traditional and contemporary cultures of the various groups in what is now Canada. Taught from an Indigenous perspective, the course explores a wide range of topics, with an emphasis on colonization and decolonization.

Reflections: This course taught me the importance of understanding the tragedy of colonization and the impact that it had on Indigenous Peoples. It provided me with insight on topics like Indigenous culture, traditions and, spirituality. I believe this course is key to teaching as it emphasized the learning and appreciation of other cultures, the importance of Truth and Reconciliation, and the need for more voices to be heard. This course is a building block towards learning about the past and reflecting on what can be done in the future.

GEOG 1102- World Regional Geography: The major cultural regions of the world are introduced in this course. Emphasis is placed on cultural characteristics, including population, political situation, economy, language, and religion, as well as the physical environment, including landforms and climate, that make regions distinctive. Historical developments provide context for understanding regional features. This course provides the background for understanding current world affairs.

Reflections: The world is fascinating. There are many different cultures, political views, and geological landscapes. This course provided me with an introduction to the enormous scope of how our world operates. It touched on different parts of the world and how societies came to be, what is important to them, and the physical environment that surrounds them. It discussed a wide variety of topics that I believe helped build a better teaching mindset. Understanding the world around me helped me develop broader views and opinions that I did not have before. I believe this can help facilitate multicultural learning and development in the classroom.

HIST 2108- Gender History in Canada: This course examines gender dynamics in Canada from the eighteenth century to the present day. Themes include sexuality and the body, gender regulation and performance, racialization and colonization, politics, law, popular culture, work, religion, violence, and war.

Reflections: This course has introduced me to gender and the issues faced throughout Canadian history. It has provided perspective on how people of different genders and sexualities have been treated in the past and why it still exists today. I found this course to be eye-opening as it dealt with many heavy subjects that needed to be told. The course helped me build on the foundations of inclusivity in the classroom and what actions need to be taken in order to make all students feel comfortable.

HIST 3365- World War II: This course examines the origins, conduct and consequences of the Second World War. It focuses particularly on the experience of ordinary participants. In addition to explaining the events of the war itself, the course may examine how the conflict is remembered in popular culture.

Reflections: World War II changed the world as we know it. Major world powers were developed because of World War II and it is important to understand why and how. This class provided great detail about how World War II started, how it escalated, and the outcomes that led to where we are today. I believe that it is crucial to learn about the past in order to make sure that it is not repeated in the future and this class gave me an in-depth at one of the most impactful wars in our lifetime.