Upper School Course Guide
Course Descriptions

Social Sciences

Civics

List of 1 items.

  • Civics and Citizenship, Grade 10, Open

    CHV20
    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

Economics

List of 3 items.

  • The Individual and the Economy, Grade 11, University/College Preparation


    CIE3M
    This course explores challenges facing the Canadian economy as well as the implications of various responses to these challenges. Students will explore the economic role of business, labour, and government, as well as their own role as individual consumers and contributors, and how all of these influence stability and variability 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 decisions.
    Prerequisite: Canadian History Since World War I, Grade 10, Academic or Applied

  • Analyzing Current Economic Issues, Grade 12, University Preparation


    CIA4U
    This course examines current national and global economic trends and policies from diverse perspectives. Students will explore the impact of choices that individuals and institutions, including governments, make in responding to local, national, and global economic issues such as globalization and global economic inequalities, trade agreements, national debt, taxation, social spending, and consumer debt. Students will apply the concepts of economic thinking and the economic inquiry process, including economic models, to investigate, and develop informed opinions about, current economic issues and to help them make reasoned economic decisions.
    Prerequisite: Any university or university/college preparation course in Canadian and World Studies, English, or Social Sciences and Humanities

  • Analyzing Current Economic Issues plus AP Micro and Macroeconomics Preparation, Grade 12, University Preparation


    CIA4U1
    This course includes all the content of CIA4U and moves further into Macro and Microeconomics to prepare students for the Advanced Placement examinations. CIE3M is strongly recommended for this AP course. Students who have not completed CIE3M need permission from the Department Head to take AP Economics.
    Prerequisite: Any university or university/college preparation course in Canadian and World Studies, English, or Social Sciences and Humanities; The Individual and the Economy, Grade 11, University/College Preparation highly encouraged.

Geography

List of 5 items.

  • Exploring Canadian Geography, Grade 9

    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 to live.
    Prerequisite: None

  • Forces of Nature: Physical Processes and Disasters, Grade 11, University/College Preparation


    CGF3M
    This course examines Earth’s physical patterns and processes and how they create natural disasters and can contribute to human disasters. Students will explore how physical processes related to Earth’s water, land, and air, as well as interactions between these systems, can affect the planet and its people. Students will apply the concepts of geographic thinking and the geographic inquiry process, including spatial technologies, to investigate Earth’s natural processes, to make predictions related to natural disasters, and to create plans to prepare for and/or respond to them.
    Prerequisite: Canadian Geographic Issues, Grade 9, Academic or Applied

  • World Issues, A Geographic Analysis plus AP Human Geography Preparation, Grade 12, University Preparation


    CGW4U1
    This course looks at the global challenge of creating a more sustainable and equitable world. Students will explore a range of issues involving environmental, economic, social, and geopolitical interrelationships, and will examine governmental policies related to these issues. 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. This course also gives students the option to write the AP Human Geography exam at the end of the year.
    Prerequisite: Any university or university/college preparation course in Canadian and World Studies, English, or Social Sciences and Humanities

  • The Environment and Resource Management, Grade 12, University/College Preparation


    CGR4M
    This course investigates interactions between natural and human systems, with a particular emphasis on the impacts of human activity on ecosystems and natural processes. Students will use the geographic inquiry process, apply the concepts of geographic thinking, and employ a variety of spatial skills and technologies to analyze these impacts and propose ways of reducing them. In the course of their investigations, they will assess resource management and sustainability practices, as well as related government policies and international accords. They will also consider questions of individual responsibility and environmental stewardship as they explore ways of developing a more sustainable relationship with the environment.
    Prerequisite: Any university, university/college, or college preparation course in Canadian and World Studies, English, or Social Sciences and Humanities

  • The Environment and Resource Management plus AP Environmental Science Preparation, Grade 12, University/College Preparation

    CGR4M1
    This course covers all the topics in CGR4M but extends further to prepare students for success on the AP Environmental Science examination at the end of the year.
    Prerequisite: Any university, university/college, or college preparation course in Canadian and World Studies, English, or Social Sciences and Humanities


History

List of 5 items.

  • Canadian History since World War I, Grade 10, Academic

    CHC2D
    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

  • American History, Grade 11, University Preparation


    CHA3U
    This course traces the social, economic, and political development of the United States from colonial times to the present. Students will explore the historical context of key developments that shaped the United States, its identity and culture, and its role in the global community. They 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 forces in American history.
    Prerequisite: Canadian History Since World War I, Grade 10, Academic or Applied

  • World History to the End of the 15th Century, Grade 11, University/College Preparation

    CHW3M
    This course explores 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.
    Prerequisite: Canadian History Since World War I, Grade 10, Academic or Applied

  • Canadian and International Politics, Grade 12, University Preparation


    CPW4U
    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 different levels of government, multinational corporations, and non-governmental organizations, respond to and work to influence domestic and international developments. Students will apply the concepts of political thinking and the political inquiry process to investigate current political policies, issues, and events, and to develop and communicate informed opinions about them.
    Prerequisite: Any university or university/college preparation course in Canadian and World Studies, English, or Social Sciences and Humanities

  • World History since the 15th Century, Grade 12, 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 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

Law

List of 2 items.

  • Understanding Canadian Law, Grade 11, University/College Preparation


    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 rights and freedoms in Canada, our legal system, and family, contract, employment, tort, and criminal law. Students will use case studies and apply the concepts of legal thinking and the legal inquiry process to develop legal reasoning skills and to formulate and communicate informed interpretations of legal issues, and they will develop the ability to advocate for new laws.
    Prerequisite: Canadian History Since World War I, Grade 10, Academic or Applied

  • Canadian and International Law, Grade 12, University Preparation

    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.

Philosophy

List of 1 items.

  • Philosophy: Questions and Theories, Grade 12, University Preparation


    HZT4U
    This course enables students to acquire an understanding of the nature of philosophy and philosophical reasoning skills and to develop and apply their knowledge and skills while exploring specialized branches of philosophy (the course will cover at least three of the following branches: metaphysics, ethics, epistemology, philosophy of science, social and political philosophy, aesthetics). Students will develop critical thinking and philosophical reasoning skills as they formulate and evaluate arguments related to a variety of philosophical questions and theories. They will also develop research and inquiry skills related to the study and practice of philosophy.
    Prerequisite: Any university or university/college preparation course in Social Sciences and Humanities, English or Canadian and World Studies

General Social Sciences

List of 3 items.

  • Introduction to Anthropology, Psychology and Sociology, Grade 11, University Preparation


    HSP3U
    This course provides students with the opportunities to think critically about theories, questions, and issues related to anthropology, psychology, and sociology. Students will develop an understanding of the approaches and research methods used by social scientists. They will be given opportunities to explore theories from a variety of perspectives, to conduct social science research, and to become familiar with current thinking on a range of issues within the three disciplines.
    Prerequisite: Canadian History, Grade 10 or English, Grade 10

  • AP Seminar, Grade 11, University Preparation


    HSB4U1
    In Grade 11, students focus on the use of social science theories, perspectives, and methodologies to investigate and explain shifts in knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviour and their impact on society. Students will critically analyse how and why cultural, social,
    and behavioural patterns change over time. The anchoring of Challenge and Change to AP Seminar will provide students with the opportunity to apply research skills to pursue an academic topic, question or issue within the context of the social sciences. The aim being to cultivate curious and independent learners who are able to make logical, evidence-based arguments and decisions.
    Prerequisite courses: Any university, university/college, or college preparation course in Social Sciences and Humanities, English or Canadian and World Studies; Meeting and consultation with counsellor required.

  • Challenge and Change in Society, Grade 12, University Preparation


    HSB4U
    This course focuses on the use of social science theories, perspectives, and methodologies to investigate and explain the shifts in knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviour and their impact on society. Students will critically analyze how and why cultural, social, and biological patterns change over time. They will explore the ideas of social theorists and use those ideas to analyze causes of and response to challenges such as technological change, deviance and global inequalities. Students will explore ways in which social science research methods can be used to study social change.
    Prerequisite: Any university, university/college, or college preparation course in Social Sciences and Humanities, English or Canadian and World Studies

Upper School Social Sciences Faculty

List of 8 members.

  • Photo of David Calverley

    Dr. David Calverley 

    Subject Head, Social Studies (Grades 7-12)
  • Photo of Clark Davis

    Mr. Clark Davis 02

    Upper School Faculty
  • Photo of Sean DeZilva

    Mr. Sean DeZilva 

    Upper School Faculty
  • Photo of Geoff Green

    Mr. Geoff Green 

    Upper School Faculty
  • Photo of Alicia Hawryluk

    Ms. Alicia Hawryluk 

    Upper School Faculty
  • Photo of Alexander Johnston

    Mr. Alexander Johnston 

    Upper School Faculty
  • Photo of Gavin Muranaka

    Mr. Gavin Muranaka 

    Subject Head, Business Studies (Grades 7-12) and Director of Business & Entrepreneurship
  • Photo of Jay Shannon

    Mr. Jay Shannon 

    Upper School Faculty

Course Descriptions

2365 Bayview Ave. Toronto, ON M2L 1A2
Ph: 416.449.2556