ST. THOMAS AQUINAS SECONDARY SCHOOL
25 Corporation Drive
Brampton ON, L6S 6A2
Phone: 905.791.1195
We believe that each one, created in the image and likeness of God, is called by name into the DufferinPeel community to realize the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations to the fullest extent
possible as we all journey from the early years to vocation
COURSE OUTLINE
Department Name:
Social Studies Department
Course Name:
Course Code and Section:
Philosophy: The Big Questions
HZB 3M1
Course Description:
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.
Strands/ Units:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Corresponding Catholic
Graduate Expectation
Indicators for each
Strand/Unit
Research and Inquiry Skills
Philosophical Foundations
Philosophical Skills
The Relevance of Philosophy

This course provides students with the opportunity to explore
the main areas of philosophy from the perspective of our
Catholic Faith. Philosophical theories will be explored while
accessing the thought of major Catholic philosophers and the
vast body of teaching and Scripture within the Catholic Faith
Tradition.
Assessment and Evaluation:
Category Weightings
Weight
Knowledge/Understanding
25
Final Summative
Assessments
Grade Distribution
Thinking
25
Term Work
70
Application
25
Course Culminating
15
Communication
25
Exam
15