Social Sciences and Humanities
Courses in Social Sciences and Humanities, Grades 9 to 12
Grade 11, University
Introduction to Anthropology, Psychology, and Sociology, (HSP3U) Grade 11, University: This course provides students with 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: The Grade 10 academic course in English, or the Grade 10 academic history course (Canadian and world studies)
Philosophy: The Big Questions, Grade 11, University/College: This course encourages exploration of philosophy’s big questions, such as: What is a meaningful life? What separates right from wrong? What constitutes knowledge? What makes something beautiful? What is a just society? Students will develop critical thinking and philosophical reasoning skills as they identify and analyse the responses of philosophers to the big questions and formulate their own responses to them. Students will explore the relevance of philosophical questions to society and to their everyday life. They will develop research and inquiry skills as they investigate various topics in philosophy.
Prerequisite: None
Grade 12, University
Challenge and Change in Society, Grade 12, University: 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.
Prerequisite: Any university or university/college preparation course in social sciences and humanities, English, or Canadian and world studies
Philosophy: Questions and Theories, Grade 12, University: 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