Here in Notre Dame's Social Sciences Department, we take pride in the variety of interesting, thought provoking, and relevant courses that we offer.
We aim to help students develop their sense of self and become more critical and reflective thinkers. Our courses provide the perfect environment for this to happen, below are the options available to you while studying at Notre Dame.
GRADE 9 COURSES: Geography
Grade 9 De-streamed – Exploring Canadian Geography (CGC1W)
This course builds on learning in Grades 7 and 8 in geography. Students will explore relationships within and between Canada's natural and human systems and how they interconnect with other parts of the world. Students will also examine environmental and economic issues, and their impact related to topics such as natural resources and industries, careers, land use and responsible development, and sustainability. In addition, students will understand the connections that diverse communities and individuals have with the physical environment and each other throughout Canada, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit perspectives. Students will apply geographic thinking, use the geographic inquiry process, and use geospatial technologies throughout their investigations.
GRADE 10 COURSES: History and Civics
Grade 10 Academic - Canadian History since World War I (CHC 2D)
This course explores social, economic, and political developments and events and their impact on the lives of different groups 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 Canadian identity, citizenship, and heritage
Grade 10 Applied - Canadian History since World War I (CHC2P and CHC2L)
This course focuses on the social context of historical developments and events and how they have affected the lives of people in Canada since 1914. Students will explore interactions between various communities in Canada as well as contributions of individuals and groups to Canadian heritage and identity.
Grade 10 Open - Civics and Citizenship (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. Also, this course provides students with an opportunty to learn the skills for active engagement in the political process.
GRADE 11 COURSES: Geography, History, Law, Social Sciences and Humanities, First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Studies
Grade 11 University Preparation - Introduction to Anthropology, Psychology and Sociology (HSP3U)
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, and to become familiar with current thinking on a range of issues within the three disciplines.
Grade 11 College Preparation - Introduction to Anthropology, Psychology and Sociology (HSP3C)
This course introduces students to theories, questions, and issues related to anthropology, psychology, and sociology. Students learn about approaches and research methods used by social scientists. They will be given opportunities to apply theories from a variety of perspectives, to conduct social science research, and to become familiar with current issues within the three disciplines.
Grade 11 College Preparation – Working with Infants and Young Children (HPW3C)
This course prepares students for occupations involving children from birth to six years of age. Students will study theories about child behaviour and development, and will have opportunities for research and observation and for practical experiences with young children. Students will become familiar with occupational opportunities and requirements related to working with infants and young children. They will also have opportunities to develop research and critical-thinking skills as they investigate and evaluate current research about early childhood education.
Grade 11 Open - Travel and Tourism: A Geographic Perspective (CGG30)
This course focuses on issues related to travel and tourism within and between various regions of the world. Students will investigate unique environmental, sociocultural, economic, and political characteristics of selected world regions. They will explore travel patterns and trends as well as tensions related to tourism, and will predict future tourism destinations.
Grade 11 Open – Introduction to Spatial Technologies (CGT3O)
This course enables students to develop practical skills associated with spatial technologies and to investigate related career opportunities. Students will develop their ability to use geographic information systems (GIS), global positioning systems (GPS), and remote sensing technologies. They will apply the concepts of geographic thinking and the geographic inquiry process when conducting fieldwork, collecting and organizing data, and analysing spatial images such as maps and aerial photographs. Throughout the course, students' local context is emphasized.
Grade 11 University/College Preparation - World History to the End of the Fifteenth Century (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.
Grade 11 University/College Preparation - Understanding Canadian Law (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.
Grade 11 University/College Preparation – Contemporary First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Issues and Perspectives (NDA3M)
This course explores existing and emerging issues of local, regional, and national importance to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit in Canada. Students will analyse diverse perspectives on issues and events related to land, community, governance, identity, culture, and global trends. Using the concepts of political thinking and the tools of political inquiry, students will explore their own and others' ideas and investigate issues to determine what needs to change and why. Students are also given the opportunity to develop their own problem-solving strategies to address an issue of their choice
GRADE 12 COURSES: Geography, History, Law, Social Sciences and Humanities, First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Studies
Grade 12 University Preparation – World Issues: A Geographic Analysis (CGW4U)
This course explores the global challenge of meeting the basic needs of all people while sustaining the natural environment. Students will examine global inequities, including those related to food, water, energy, and development, and will explore global issues through environmental, social, economic, and political lenses. Students will apply the concepts of geographic thinking and the geographic inquiry process, including spatial technologies, to investigate a range of current geographic issues facing Canada and the world.
Grade 12 University/College Preparation – Spatial Technologies in Action (CGO4M)
This course provides a foundation for students who are considering a career involving computer-based spatial technologies. Students will analyse and propose solutions to real-life issues related to spatial organization, such as determining transportation routes, appropriate locations for community services, or potential conservation and preservation areas. Students will extend their ability to use geographic information systems (GIS), global positioning systems (GPS), and remote sensing and to create maps, charts, and graphs. Throughout the course, students will apply the concepts of geographic thinking and the geographic inquiry process to investigate various issues related to spatial organization
Grade 12 University Preparation - World History since the Fifteenth Century (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.
Grade 12 College Preparation – World History since the Fifteenth Century (CHY4C)
This course explores key developments and events in world history since approximately 1450, with a focus on interactions within and between various regions. Students will examine social, economic, and political developments and how they have affected different peoples. 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 key turning points in world history and historical forces that have shaped our world.
Grade 12 University Preparation - Canadian and International Law (CLN4U)
This course explores a range of contemporary legal issues and how they are addressed in both Canadian and international law. Students will develop their understanding of the principles of Canadian and international law when exploring rights and freedoms within the context of topics such as religion, security, cyberspace, immigration, crimes against humanity, and environmental protection. Students will apply the concepts of legal thinking and the legal inquiry process when investigating these issues in both Canadian and international contexts, and they will develop legal reasoning skills and an understanding of conflict resolution in the area of international law.
Grade 12 University/College Preparation - Equity and Social Justice: From Theory to Practice (HSE4M)
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.
Grade 12 University Preparation – Challenge and Change in Society (HSB4U)
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.
Grade 12 University/College Preparation – Contemporary Indigenous Issues and Perspectives in a Global Context (NDW4M)
This course examines global issues from the perspectives of Indigenous peoples. Students will explore the depth and diversity of Indigenous cultures, traditions, and knowledge. Students will consider how diverse Indigenous communities persevere despite current global environmental and economic trends, and will investigate topics such as identity, social justice, human rights, spirituality, resilience, and advocacy for change