Course Offerings In Social Science

Why is studying social studies important?

Put simply, the social sciences are important because they create better institutions and systems that affect people's lives every day. ... Thus, social sciences help people understand how to interact with the social world—how to influence policy, develop networks, increase government accountability, and promote democracy.

Intro to Anthropology, Psychology

& Sociology (IAPS)

HSP3U1

• Think critically about theories, questions, and IAPS-related issues
• Understand approaches and research methods used by social scientists
• Explore theories from a variety of perspectives
• Conduct social science research and become familiar with current thinking on a variety of issues

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Why do Agincourt students call it IAPS? Introduction to Anthro, Psych, and Soc :)

What can I expect if I take HSP3U1 (IAPS)?

IAPS will deepen your understanding of human behaviour and will help you explore the following and more!

• What motivates and shapes individuals in their thoughts and actions?
• How can you understand group behaviour and why are groups often slow to change?
• How can other cultures can be explored, explained and appreciated without bias?
• How humans have changed over time?
• What makes an ethical experiment and why were there so many unethical experiments in the past?

Who are some famous people that we study in HSP3U1 ?

What can you expect for assignments?

Variety and choice!!!

Philosophy: The Big Questions (HZB3M1)

• Explore philosophy’s big questions
• What is a meaningful life?
• What separates right from wrong?
• What constitutes knowledge?
• What makes something beautiful?
• What is a just society?

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• Develop critical thinking and philosophical reasoning skills by identifying and analyzing philosophers’ responses to the big questions above

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• Explore the relevance of philosophical questions to society and everyday life

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• Develop research and inquiry skills

HSB4U1 - Challenge &

Change in Society

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• This course focuses 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. They will explore the ideas of social theorists and use those ideas to analyse causes of and responses 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.

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• Prerequisite for HFA, HSB and HSE: Any grade 11 university, or university/college preparation course in Canadian & world studies, English or social sciences & humanities

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• Research & Inquiry Skills
• Causes and Effects of Social Change
• Technological Change
• Social patterns & trends
• Forces That Shape Social Trends
• Social Deviance

HSB4U1 - Challenge & Change in Society

HSE4M1 - Equity & Social Justice

This course enables students to develop an understanding of the theoretical, social, and historical underpinnings of various equity and social justice issues and to analyse strategies for bringing about positive social change. Students will learn about historical and contemporary equity and social justice issues in Canada and globally. They will explore power relations and the impact of a variety of factors on equity and social justice. Students will develop and apply research skills and will design and implement a social action initiative relating to an equity or social justice issue.

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Prerequisite for HFA, HSB and HSE: Any grade 11 university, or university/college preparation course in Canadian & world studies, English or social sciences & humanities

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Course Offerings In History

Why is history important?

Through history, we can learn how past societies, systems, ideologies, governments, cultures and technologies were built, how they operated, and how they have changed. The rich history of the world helps us to paint a detailed picture of where we stand today.

World History to the End of the Fifteenth Century

CHW3M

• Explore the history of various societies and civilizations as early as 1500 CE!

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• Investigate factors that contributed to the rise and fall of ancient societies

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• Examine cultural and political legacies in various societies

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• Apply concepts and inquiry processes when investigating social, political, and economic structures during various eras

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• Cultivate an appreciation for how History impacts our daily lives!

World History to the End of the Fifteenth Century

CHW3M

Units of Study:

• Early Societies and Rising Civilizations
• Flourishing Societies and Civilizations
• Civilizations in Decline
• The Legacy of Civilizations

A Few Sample Topics:

• Stonehenge
• Ancient Egypt
• Ancient Greece
• First Persian Empire
• African Kingdoms
• The Maya
• China
• The Vikings

Understanding Canadian Law

CLU3M/E

• Explore Canadian law, rights and freedoms, and our legal system
• Understand family, contract, employment, tort, and criminal law

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• Use case studies to apply the concepts of legal thinking and legal inquiry processes

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• Develop legal reasoning skills to formulate and communicate interpretations of legal issues

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• Ability to advocate for new laws!

Individual & Economy

CIE3M1

• Explore issues and challenges facing the Canadian economy and various responses

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• Explore the economic role of firms, workers, government, consumers, and contributors

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• Discover what affects stability and change in Canada’s economy

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• Investigate the impact of economic issues by applying various concepts and inquiry processes

CHY4U1 - World History Since the 15th Century

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.

CIA4U1 - Economics

This course examines current Canadian and international economic issues, developments, policies, and practices from diverse perspectives. Students will explore the decisions that individuals and institutions, including governments, make in response to economic issues such as globalization, trade agreements, economic inequalities, regulation, and public spending. Students will apply the concepts of economic thinking and the economic inquiry process, as well as economic models and theories, to investigate, and develop informed opinions about, economic trade-offs, growth, and sustainability and related economic issues.

CLN4U1 - Canadian & International Law

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.

Are you interested in Legal Philosophy, as well as issues impacting both Canadian and International Law? Then this course is for you!

Course Offerings In Geography

Why Does Geography Matter?

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Geography is much more than a collection of facts and paper maps.

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It is a subject that connects physical and social perspectives to the study of people, places, and environment.

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It teaches students to approach topics from a different perspective to give them a sense of place.

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It explores the biggest issues Canadians face and connects them to the world,

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and teaches students that they can make a difference in their world for the better.

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Grade 12

Grade 11

Upper Year Geography Courses

World Issues: A Geographic Analysis - CGW4U (Grade 12, University Preparation)

Regional Geography: Travel & Tourism - CGG3O (Grade 11, Open)

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Grade 12

A GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS

WORLD ISSUES

University Preparation

CGW4U

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• Media Perspective, Bias and “Fake News”
• Geography Place and Space
• Population Health
• Geo-politics
• Energy, Economy and The Environment
• Cities and Social Division
• Food Security and Diversity
• Sweat Shops and Child Labour

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Sample Topics of Study

• Did you know that the majority of countries in Africa speak French?
• Why did China get rid of their One Child Policy?
• How did maps help Trump with the Presidential Election?
• Did you know North Korea has only 3 TV channels and its citizens are restricted internet access?

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World Issues: CGW4U

Former Student Testimonials

"World Issues was all about current events. We watched and analysed the news and what was happening in the world every week. We talked alot about perspective and fake news too. It helped me understand the world more."

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"My favourite part about this class was watching documentaries and the class discussions."

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"Everybody wants to know what the class average was! It was good! We had a great class and learned a lot. We had a good mix of assignments, some group stuff, some presentations, quizzes, media assignments. I'm really happy I took this class AND it boosted my average."

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"I needed a Senior Social Science credit. I'm glad I chose this class. It helped balance out my maths and sciences."

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