Canadian and World Studies

Some CCH Debate Team members in front of Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal!

Preparing for SSUNS — Preparing for Montreal

Grade 9 Geography students tree planting at Medway Creek. They put 230 new trees into the ground.

two male students holding a small plant in the field

group photo of the geography students in the field

The Canadian and World Studies Department is a vibrant department at the heart of Catholic Central High school. Students will first explore Canada's amazing climate and landscape in grade 9 Geography. In Grade 10, students will continue their positive experience with a fascinating exploration of Canadian History and with a fun and informative half course in Civics. In their senior years, students can opt for Law, Politics, Economics, World Issues, Environmental Science and History. These courses are well paired with our sister department courses in Social Science and Humanities. Both departments prepare students for college and university, where Social Science departments service more than 50% of post-secondary students. Come visit the Canadian and World Studies and Social Science and Humanities Department anytime in classrooms 205-210.

The Vision for Canadian and World Studies

Course Offerings Grade 9 & 10

Grade 9 Geography - CGC1D - 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 in which to live.

Grade 9 Geography - CGC1P - This course focuses on current geographic issues that affect Canadians. Students will draw on their personal and everyday experiences as they explore issues relating to food and water supplies, competing land uses, interactions with the natural environment, and other topics relevant to sustainable living in Canada. They will also develop an awareness that issues that affect their lives in Canada are interconnected with issues in other parts of the world. Throughout the course, students will use the concepts of geographic thinking, the geographic inquiry process, and spatial technologies to guide and support their investigations.

Grade 10 Canadian History – 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.

Grade 10 Canadian History - CHC2P - This course focuses on the social context of historical developments and events and how they have affected the lives of people in Canada, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individuals and communities, since 1914. Students will explore interactions between various communities in Canada as well as contributions of individuals and groups to heritage and identities in Canada. Students will develop an understanding of some key political developments and government policies that have had an 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 37 investigating the continuing relevance of historical developments and how they have helped shape communities in present-day Canada.

Civics 0.5 - CHV2O - 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 41 of political issues and developments that are both of significance in today’s world and of personal interest to them.

Course Offerings Grade 11 & 12

Grade 11 American History – CHA3U/CHA3UB - 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.

Grade 11 History—World History to the end of the 15^th Century - CHW3M - This course explores the history of various societies and civilizations around the world, from earliest times to around 1500 CE. Students will investigate a range of factors that contributed to the rise, success, and decline of various ancient and pre-modern societies throughout the world and will examine life in and the cultural and political legacy of these societies. 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, 38 political, and economic structures and historical forces at work in various societies and in different historical eras.

Grade 11 Law 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 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.

Grade 12 Geography—Environment & Resource Management CGR4M/CGR4MC - 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 analyse 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.

Grade 12 Geography—World Issues CGW4C/CGW4U - This course explores the many difficult challenges facing Canada and the world today – challenges such as unequal access to food, water, and energy; urbanization; globalization; and meeting the needs of a growing world population while ensuring the sustainability of the natural environment. Students will explore these and other world issues from environmental, social, 35 economic, and political perspectives, while applying the concepts of geographic thinking, the geographic inquiry process, and spatial technologies to guide and support their investigations.

Grade 12 History—The West and the World – CHY4U/CHY4C/CHY4UB - 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.

Grade 12 Law Legal Studies CLN4C/CLN4U - This course provides a foundation for students who wish to pursue a career that requires an understanding of law. Students will explore the importance of law, analysing contemporary legal issues and their relevance to daily life. They will investigate the requirements for various law-related careers as well as legal responsibilities in the workplace. Students will apply the concepts of legal thinking and the legal studies inquiry process to investigate their rights and responsibilities, legal processes and structures, and the role of law in a changing society.

Grade 12 Analysing Current Economic Issues– CIA4U - 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.

Industry Presentations from the CGC1D Class

Canadian and World Studies Clubs and Teams: Model United Nations

CCH's Debate Team meets weekly to prepare for debate excursions. Every year we debate at SSUNS in November in Montreal www.ssuns.org or in Toronto at U of T- both are two of the largest high school Model UN debates in Canada. We also attend King's Model UN at Western University every May http://kmun.kings.uwo.ca/ For the last three school years, CCH's MUN team has organized and participated in our own Model UN that we hold at the Catholic Education Centre. As well, we participate in local debates whenever they crop up. Past and present Debate Club members form close friendships while also broadening their knowledge about world issues.

CCH Geography Club

Students cleaning up the beach — CCH Geography Club has had a partnership with Port Burwell Provincial Park for over 15 years. Students come every October and May to help cleanup the beach and campsites to preserve our beautiful forests and waters. It takes a dedicated team of students to remove large debris such as car tires and this 12' tree trunk.

Geography club group photo — Some of the Geography Club's amazing experiences include over 30 years of exploring Bruce National Park. Students of all camping levels from novice to expert have shared this adventure exploring Marr Lake, Overhang Point, the Grotto, and Flower Pot Island.

Milk bag mat — Our Milk Bag Mat Team meets weekly to help construct these illness-preventing beds to those less fortunate around the world. Not only does this committee help others by reusing materials, their invested time goes towards their school community service hours.

Geography club holding signs — The Geography Club has taken on the responsibility to help the CCH community become more aware of the issues going on around them locally, nationally, and internationally. They have teamed up with organizations such as Crusaders in Action and Me to We to help CCH make a difference.

Course Pathways