Social Studies is a multidisciplinary subject that draws from the social sciences and humanities to study human interaction and natural and social environments.

The aim of Social Studies is to develop thoughtful, and responsible citizens who are able to acquire the requisite information to consider multiple perspectives, see through conventional pieties, and form defensible positions. The Social Studies 10 curriculum provides students with opportunities to critically reflect upon events and issues in order to examine the past and make connections.

Through their participation in Social Studies, students are encouraged to

• develop an appreciation of democracy and what it means to be Canadian
• demonstrate respect for human equality and cultural diversity
• think critically, evaluate information, and practise effective communication

The study of Social Studies contributes to the important goal of preparing students for their lives as Canadian citizens and members of the international community.

While studying local and global economies, students will realize that

In the current system economic growth generally takes place in the already rich countries and  flows disproportionately to the richest people within those countries.…The fault is not with the  people, it is with the system.…Technology and markets typically serve the most powerful segments of society.
If the primary goal is growth, they produce growth as long as they can.
If the primary goal were equity and sustainability, they could also serve those goals.
  —Limits to Growth (2004)

Matthew Webster no longer teaches at CSS, but will try to maintain this website for as long as it remains online.