CANADIAN AND WORLD STUDIES DEPARTMENT
HSB 4M1
Challenge and Change in Society
Grade 12, University/College
Teacher:
This course examines the theories and methodologies used in anthropology, psychology, and sociology
to investigate and explain shifts in knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviour and their impact on society.
Students will analyse cultural, social, and biological patterns in human societies, looking at the ways in which
those patterns change over time. Students will also explore the ideas of classical and contemporary social
theorists, and will apply those ideas to the analysis of contemporary trends.
Text used in this course: Cost to replace lost textbook: $90.00
Transitions in Society: The Challenge of Change. Oxford University Press, 2002.
Course Units
Unit 1: Introduction to Social Science
Unit 2: Social Change
Unit 3: Social Trends
Unit 4: Social Challenges
Topics to be studied include the following:
Psychology •Sociology •Anthropology •Social change • Theories •Technology •Impediments to
Change •Contributors to the Social Sciences •Conformity •Alienation •Poverty and Affluence •
Institution • Values •Reproductive Technology •Baby Boom • Generation “X”, “Y”, and “Y” •
Fertility and Fecundity • Life Cycle •Health and Wellness •Globalization •Race and Ethnicity•
Discrimination
Mark Division
Term Work
70%
Communication 25%
Culminating Performance Task
10%
Communication 25%
Examination
20%
Communication 25%
Thinking 20%
Thinking 25%
Thinking 25%
Application 30%
Application 25%
Application 25%
Knowledge 25%
Knowledge 25%
Knowledge 25%
Please be advised that a website exists that will be periodically updated throughout the semester. Visit the
above url and familiarize yourself with the site.
*It is advised that you obtain a USB flash drive for this and all of your other courses. This will enable you to
save, transfer, and possibly submit your work conveniently avoiding some technical difficulties.
Class Expectations
You can expect in this class to…
 Learn and understand theories from all three
disciplines of the social sciences
 Become familiar with relevant terminology
 Apply theories to practical uses such as reports
 Perform methodological research
 Participate in discussions and debates
 Orally present in front of your peers
 Be critical and creative
Formative, diagnostic and summative
assessments will include
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Test
Reports
Debates and discussions
Group assignments
Culminating Performance Task
 Final exam
Students are expected to be responsible and committed to their learning by completing and
submitting work and assignments and other forms of assessment and evaluation.
Students are expected to be organized and prioritize to ensure success by planning, managing time,
and being resourceful
Students are expected to work independently by managing their own education, s well as
collaboratively by accepting various roles, sharing with peers and responding positively to peers
Students are expected to take initiative by looking for learning opportunities and nurturing their
curiousity
Students are expected to self-regulate by setting individual goals and monitoring their progress to
achieve those goals, by asking for assisstance when needed, by perservering through challenges
Students are expected to be aware of and follow all OLMC policies concerning assignments,
attendance, emergency procedures, and student behaviour
o The OLMC agenda is an essential tool for you to be informed of these policies and should not
be discarded
Students are to contribute to a safe and healthy learning environment
Teacher is expected to assist students in achieving all of these expectations by the following
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Ensuring a safe and equitable learning environment
Assessing students learning in differentiated methods
Providing students with proper and sufficient information
Providing students with opportunities to learn
Maintaining a mutually respectful environment
NO ONE WILL GET IN THE WAY OF ANOTHER’S EDUCATION