Course Title/ Grade/ Course Type: Challenge and Change in Society, Grade 12, University
Ministry Course Code: HSB4U
Curriculum Document: The Ontario Curriculum, 9-12 Social Sciences and Humanities – Revised 2013
Prerequisite: Any university or university/college preparation course in social sciences and humanities, English, or Canadian and world studies
COURSE DESCRIPTION
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.
Outline of Course Content
U1: Introduction to Social Change and Research Methods
In this unit, students will be introduced to the fundamental concepts of social change and the methodologies used in social science research. They will explore various theories and perspectives that explain shifts in knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behavior, and learn how to formulate effective research questions.
U2: Theories of Social Change and Causes
This unit delves into major theories explaining social change and the factors leading to it. Students will analyze the roles of influential leaders and economic, environmental, political, and sociocultural factors in driving social change.
U3: Impacts of Social Change & Global Perspectives
This unit explores the impact of social change on individuals and society, including its effects on demographics, trends, and global inequalities. Students will analyze the relationships between various socio-economic conditions and structures, and their impact on poverty and exploitation.
U4: Technology, Deviance, & Reflection
In the final unit, students will examine the impacts of technological change on society, theories related to social deviance, and the importance of reflection in understanding social change. They will also explore the concepts of globalization and its effects.
Final Culminating Evaluation
The final culminating evaluations are activities designed to evaluate various student skills while encompassing all the general expectations of the course
Final Mark will be determined following percentages:
70% Determined by the evaluations conducted throughout the duration of the course:
Products – Assignments, Essays, Journals, Portfolio
Observations – Presentations
Conversations – Conference with the Teacher
30% Final examination of the students and/or a Culmination Assignment