In this unit you will develop essential social science skills that you will use throughout the duration of this course. This unit will provide an overview of key terms and methods of data collection and interpretation that are often used in social science. You will also explore the inquiry process, and will identify and practice implementing the steps of the inquiry process as you begin to explore various topics related to families in Canada. You will also become familiar with using APA formatting to document your sources.
In this unit you will explore various topics and trends related to the individual. Norms, roles and social institutions will be examined for individuals in unique cultures to demonstrate how they differ and can create different life experiences. Theories of development will be applied to your own life, and used to explain development in later life. You will review demographics to identify patterns and trends in Canadian behaviours during the emerging adulthood period.You will also investigate gender and socioeconomic status as an influence on behaviour during the transition period to adulthood.
In this unit you will investigate friendships and intimate relationships and will study demographic trends and patterns in friendships and intimate relationships. You will examine how norms, roles, expectations and social institutions influence a variety of situations related to intimate relationships. The factors that make a relationship healthy and unhealthy will be explored, and strategies to respond to domestic abuse and intimate partner violence will also be investigated. Various theoretical perspectives of attraction and mate selection will be analysed and applied to intimate relationships, and you will examine the evolution of marriage and divorce in Canada, as well as the variation of marriage customs by culture.
In this unit you will examine a variety of factors that influence family dynamics. Census data will be used to explore family types and living arrangements, and the impact of various social trends will be investigated as an influence on family life. You will explore the family as an agent of socialization, and theoretical perspectives will be used to examine parent-child relationships. Additionally, you will examine how the residential school system disrupted the socialization process and way of life for Indigenous peoples, and will explore the long-term impact of residential schools and related abuse and trauma. Finally, demographic data on fertility in Canada will be investigated to determine patterns and trends. Options for infertility will be explored, with a focus on fertility treatments.
