Canadian and World Studies
Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School
Course Code: CGW 4U1
Course Name: Canadian and World Issues
Level: University Preparation
Instructor: S. Sammut
Period:
Room Number:
Course Overview:
This course examines the global challenges of creating a sustainable and
equitable future, focusing on current issues that illustrate these challenges. Students will investigate a
range of topics, including cultural, economic, and geopolitical relationships, regional disparities in the
ability to meet basic human needs, and protection of the natural environment. Students will use
geotechnologies and skills of geographic inquiry and analysis to develop and communicate balanced
opinions about the complex issues facing Canada and a world that is interdependent and constantly
changing.
Specific Strands of Study and Expectations include:
Geographic Foundations: Space and Systems
By the end of this course, students will:

explain how the earth’s natural and human systems are interconnected in multiple and complex ways;

analyse the causes and effects of economic disparities around the world;

compare the cultural, economic and political aspirations of selected groups and the effects of their actions on local, national, and global geographic
issues.
Human-Environment Interactions
By the end of this course, students will:

analyse the impact of selected global trends on people and environments at the local, national, and global level;

analyse geographic issues that arise from the impact of human activities on the environment in different regions of the world;

evaluate approaches, policies, and principles relating to the protection and sustainability of the planet’s life-support systems..
Global Connections
By the end of this course, students will:

analyse the influences that increase the interdependence of countries around the world;

analyse instances of international cooperation and conflict and explain the factors that contributed to each;

evaluate the social, economic, and environmental impact of the strategies for sustainable development by a variety of individuals, organizations, and
institutions.
Understanding and Managing Change
By the end of this course, students will:

analyse trends and predict changes in the human use of the earth and its resources;

evaluate the cultural, economic, and environmental impact of changing technology;

evaluate the effectiveness of short-term and long-term solutions to geographic problems and issues at the local, national, and global level.
Methods of Geographic Inquiry and Communication
By the end of this course, students will:

use the methods and tools of geographic inquiry to locate, gather, evaluate, and organize information;

analyse and interpret data gathered through research and investigation, using a variety of methods and geotechnologies;

communicate the results of inquiries, using appropriate terms and concepts and a variety of forms and techniques.
This course helps students to meet the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations by enabling each person to become:

an effective communicator who reads, understands and uses written materials effectively;

a responsible citizen who respects and affirms the diversity and interdependence of the world’s peoples and cultures;

a reflective, creative and holistic thinker who recognizes there is more grace in our world than sin and that hope is essential in facing all challenges.
Efforts will be made to meet the individual learning needs of students in order
to ensure these expectations are being met.
Course Breakdown
Unit 1 – Introduction: A Look at the World
Unit 2 – Diversity and Disparity
Unit 3 – Geopolitics and the Environment
Unit 4 – Quality of Life, Injustice and the Future
Unit 5 – Research Essay
Resources:
The course will use a variety of resources including video,
Internet Applications and a variety of print sources. The
textbook Facing The Future may be distributed to
students during the first week of the course. The text and
all other resources assigned to students are the
responsibility of the student. Any damage incurred will
result in payment for replacement. Replacement cost for
the text is $110.00.
Evaluation Structure::
Knowledge/Understanding
Thinking
Communication
Application
25%
25%
25%
25%
The above is reflected both in the term work and the
summative work (final exam). Term work is valued at 70%
(10% of which is a research essay) and a final exam at 30%.
Evaluation Policy
Students will be assessed & evaluated according to the work produced & skills displayed. Methods of providing feedback will include assessing work in process &
evaluating completed assignments, tests, co-operative learning activities, simulations and presentations. Peer & self-evaluations will also be utilized.
Student marks will be determined by evaluating process & product according to 4 categories & 4 levels. Please see the chart below for specific skills and key words
used to determine student competency in the different categories.
Level 1:
Level 2:
Level 3:
Level 4:
Level
50-59%
60-69%
70-79%
80-100%
Category
Limited
Some
Considerable
Thorough
Knowledge/Understanding
display of
success in
display of
understanding

Knowledge of content (e.g., facts, terms, definitions)
knowledge,
displaying
knowledge
of concepts

Understanding of content (e.g., concepts, ideas, theories, procedures, processes,
skills and
knowledge,
skills and
and ability to
methodologies, and/or technologies)
ability to
skills and
ability to
communicate,
Thinking
apply
application
apply
think

Use of planning skills (e.g., focusing research, gathering information, organizing an
concepts
of concepts
concepts
creatively and
inquiry, asking questions, setting goals)
apply

Use of processing skills (e.g., analyzing, generating, integrating, synthesizing,
concepts
evaluating, detecting point of view and bias)

Use of critical/creative thinking processes (e.g., inquiry process, problem-solving
process, decision-making process, research process)
Communication

Expression and organization of ideas and information (e.g., clear expression, logical
organization) in oral, written, and visual forms Oral & written communication

Communication for different audiences (e.g., peers, adults) and purposes (e.g., to
inform, to persuade) in oral, written, and visual forms

Use of conventions (e.g., conventions of form, map conventions), vocabulary, and
terminology of the discipline in oral, written, and visual forms
Application

Application of knowledge and skills (e.g., concepts, procedures, processes, and/or
technologies) in familiar contexts

Transfer of knowledge and skills (e.g., concepts, procedures, methodologies,
technologies) to new contexts

Making connections within and between various contexts (e.g., past, present, and
future; environmental; social; cultural; spatial; personal; multidisciplinary)
A student whose achievement is below 50% at the end of the course will not obtain a credit for the course.
Feedback will also be provided for student learning skills. Skills like working independently, team work, organization, work habits and homework, and initiative are
assessed independently student achievement and will be conducted through the use of a rubric indicating specific criteria to be achieved to receive each of the following
letter grades:
E –Excellent
G – Good
S – Satisfactory
N - Needs Improvement
Other Evaluation Issues

LATE ASSIGNMENTS. Assignments submitted after the Primary Due Date established by the teacher will be accepted with a penalty of 5%
off for the first day late 7% for second and 10% for the third. This three-day Penalty Zone is the maximum time allowed for submissions. The
fourth day after the assignment is due is considered the Closure Date upon which no further assignments will be accepted. If the teacher
returns the marked assignments within the three day penalty zone, the date of return is considered the closure date. Repeated lateness in
submissions indicates poor organization skills and will result in parental contact and will be reflected in the learning skills section of the report
card.

INCOMPLETE ASSSIGNMENTS Assignments will be graded according to the extent with which they meet the criteria established in the
rubric or evaluation structure.

MISSED TESTS Tests missed with a legitimate reason will be written within a few days of the student returning from the absence. Student
eligibility to write the test and the date of writing will be at the discretion of the teacher in consultation with the department head.

PLAGIARISM in any form reflects academic dishonesty and will result in a mark of zero for the assignment in question.