Ontario High School Curriculum

HSB4U - Challenge and Change in Society

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.

A. RESEARCHANDINQUIRYSKILLS

OVERALL EXPECTATIONS
Throughout this course, students will:

  1. Exploring: explore topics related to the analysis of social change, and formulate questions to guide their research;
  2. Investigating: create research plans, and locate and select information relevant to their chosen topics, using appropriate social science research and inquiry methods;
  3. Processing Information: assess, record, analyse, and synthesize information gathered through research and inquiry;
  4. Communicating and Reflecting: communicate the results of their research and inquiry clearly and effectively, and reflect on and evaluate their research, inquiry, and communication skills.

B. SOCIALCHANGE

OVERALL EXPECTATIONS
By the end of this course, students will:

  1. Foundations for the Study of Social Change: demonstrate an understanding of the major theories, perspectives, and methodologies related to social change;
  2. Causes and Effects of Social Change: demonstrate an understanding of the causes and effects of social change;
  3. Technological Change: demonstrate an understanding of patterns and effects of technological change from a social science perspective.

C. SOCIALPATTERNSANDTRENDS

OVERALL EXPECTATIONS
By the end of this course, students will:

  1. Demographics: demonstrate an understanding of the importance of demographics as a tool for studying social patterns and trends, both nationally and globally;
  2. Forces That Shape Social Trends: demonstrate an understanding of how forces influence and shape social patterns and trends;
  3. Social Deviance: demonstrate an understanding of social science theories about social deviance, and of how various responses to deviance affect individuals and society.

D. GLOBALSOCIALCHALLENGES

OVERALL EXPECTATIONS
By the end of this course, students will:

  1. Global Inequalities: demonstrate an understanding of how various social structures and conditions support or limit global inequalities;
  2. Globalization: assess the impact of globalizationon individuals and groups;
  3. Exploitation: analyse the impact of unfair or unjust exploitation of people or resources, locally and globally.
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