Social Sciences

Here is a brief description for the Department Courses at St. Francis Catholic Secondary School…

Program Chair

Ms. Tina Lambert

Course Descriptions

Geography of Canada ACADEMIC: CGC1D
This course draws on a variety of frameworks, such as the Eco-zone framework, and principles of physical, human, and economic geography, to explore Canada’s distinct and evolving character. Students will investigate the interconnections among the landforms, climate, soils, plants, animals, and human activities in Canadian Eco-zones to develop geographic knowledge and skills that contribute to an understanding of Canada’s diversity and its role in the world.

Geography of Canada APPLIED: CGC1P
This course draws upon students’ everyday experiences and uses a variety of frameworks, including the Eco-zone framework, to help students learn about the geography of Canada and the country’s place in the global community. Students will investigate the interconnections among the country’s land forms, climates, soils, plants, animals, and human activities in order to understand Canada’s character and diversity.

Canadian History in the Twentieth Century ACADEMIC: CHC2D
This course explores Canadian participation in global events and traces our development as a country through changes in population, economy, and technology. Students will analyze the elements that constitute Canadian identity, learn the stories of both individuals and communities, and study the evolution of political and social structures. Students will learn about differing interpretations of the past, and will come to understand the importance in historical studies of chronology and cause-and-effect relationships. They will also learn to develop and support a thesis, conduct research and analysis, and effectively communicate the results of their inquiries.

Canadian History in the Twentieth Century APPLIED: CHC2P
This course traces Canadian history from Wilfrid Laurier’s pronouncement that the twentieth century belongs to Canada to the United Nations’ recognition of Canada as one of the best countries in which to live. Students will learn about various expressions of Canadian identity, the stories of individuals and communities, and changes in political and social structures. Students will discover the importance in historical studies of chronology and cause-and-effect relationships. As well, they will be given opportunities to formulate appropriate questions, develop informed opinions, and present information in a variety of ways.

Civics OPEN: CHV2O
This course explores what it means to be an informed, participating citizen in a democratic society. Students will learn about the elements of democracy and the meaning of democratic citizenship in local, national, and global contexts. In addition, students will learn about social change, examine decision-making processes in Canada, explore their own and others’ beliefs and perspectives on civics questions, and learn how to think and act critically and creatively about public issues.

Regional Geography: Travel and Tourism OPEN: CGG3O
This course focuses on travel and tourism to examine the unique characteristics of selected world regions from a geographic perspective. Students will develop an understanding and appreciation of the ways in which the natural environments, economies, cultures, and other aspects of world regions interact.

World History to the Sixteenth Century U/C Preparation: CHW3M
This course investigates the history of humanity from earliest times to the sixteenth century. Students will analyze diverse societies from around the world, with particular regard to the political, cultural, and economic structures and historical forces that form the foundation of the modern world. They will examine the influence of selected individuals and groups, as well as of particular innovations, and will develop skills of historical inquiry, organization, analysis, and communication.

American History University Preparation: CHA3U
This course explores key aspects of the social, economic, and political development of the United States from precontact to the present. Students will examine the contributions of groups and individuals to the country’s evolution and will explore the historical context of key issues, trends, and events that have had an impact on the United States, its identity and culture, and its role in the global community. 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 various forces that helped shape American history.

Understanding Canadian Law U/CPreparation: 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.

Parenting OPEN: HPC3O
This course focuses on the skills and knowledge needed to promote the positive and healthy nurturing of children, with particular emphasis on the critical importance of the early years to human development. Students will learn how to meet the developmental needs of young children, communicate and discipline effectively, and guide early behaviour. They will have practical experiences with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, and will learn skills in researching and investigating questions relating to parenting.

Philosophy: The Big Questions OPEN: HZB3O
This course addresses three (or more) of the following questions: What is a person? What is a meaningful life? What are good and evil? What is a just society? What is human knowledge? How do we know what is beautiful in art, music, and literature? Students will learn criticalthinking skills in evaluating philosophical arguments related to these questions, as well as skills used in researching and investigating various topics in philosophy

Canadian and World Issues: A Geographic Analysis University Preparation CGW4U
This course draws on geographic concepts, skills, methods, and technologies to analyze significant issues facing Canadians as citizens of an interdependent world. Students will examine the challenges of creating a sustainable and equitable future through the study of a range of topics, including economic interdependence, geopolitical conflict, regional disparities in the ability to meet basic human needs, and protection of the planet’s life-support systems.

World History Since the Fifteenth Century University Preparation: 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.

Analyzing Current Economic Issues University Preparation: CHI4U
This course traces the history of Canada, with a focus on the evolution of our national identity and culture as well as the identity and culture of various groups that make up Canada. Students will explore various developments and events, both national and international, from precontact to the present, and will examine various communities in Canada and how they have contributed to identity and heritage in Canada. Students will investigate the development of culture and identity, including national identity, in Canada and how and why they have changed throughout the country’s history. 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 the people, events, and forces that have shaped Canada.

Canadian and International Law University Preparation: CLN4U
This course explores elements of Canadian law and the role of law in social, political, and global contexts. Students will learn about the connections between the historical and philosophical sources of law and issues in contemporary society. They will also learn to analyse legal issues, conduct independent research, and communicate the results of their inquiries in a variety of ways.

Philosophy: Questions and Theories University Preparation: HZT4U
This course addresses three (or more) of the main areas of philosophy: metaphysics, logic, epistemology, ethics, social and political philosophy, and aesthetics. Students will learn criticalthinking skills, the main ideas expressed by philosophers from a variety of the world’s traditions, how to develop and explain their own philosophical ideas, and how to apply those ideas to contemporary social issues and personal experiences. The course will also help students refine skills used in researching and investigating topics in philosophy.