History & Politics   

Censorship, or the act of restricting material deemed unsuitable for public consumption, has existed throughout history. This subject will examine the concept of censorship, its history and application in current issues. Students will be exposed to controversial materials and immersed in the discourse of censorship in order to gain an understanding of who controls knowledge, why and to what affect. Prerequisite: College English or equivalent. Textbook required. *NOTE: Students wanting to register for a General Education course as part of their certificate or diploma program should make sure to receive formal approval from their Program Coordinator. It should be noted that some general education courses are too close to the vocational specializations of specific programs and are therefore excluded as an option for students. It’s therefore important to receive formal approval before registration.

Censorship, or the act of restricting material deemed unsuitable for public consumption, has existed throughout history. This subject will examine the concept of censorship, its history and application in current issues. Students will be exposed to controversial materials and immersed in the discourse of censorship in order to gain an understanding of who controls knowledge, why and to what affect. Prerequisite: College English or equivalent. Textbook required. *NOTE: Students wanting to register for a General Education course as part of their certificate or diploma program should make sure to receive formal approval from their Program Coordinator. It should be noted that some general education courses are too close to the vocational specializations of specific programs and are therefore excluded as an option for students. It’s therefore important to receive formal approval before registration.

This course takes a decolonized approach to examining Canadian history and the relationship between Indigenous peoples, settlers, and the Canadian government from first contact to the present. Focusing on Indigenous perspectives, worldviews, and experiences, it highlights early cooperation and partnerships during the fur trade, the significance of the treaty-making era, and the profound impact of British and early Canadian colonial policies on Indigenous rights, communities, and identity. The course also analyzes the lasting effects of colonization and the ongoing efforts of Indigenous peoples to heal from harm, reclaim their rights, and restore their culture in contemporary Canada. Finally, the course highlights Indigenous resilience, resistance, and resurgence in shaping modern society, deepening understanding of the historical and current dynamics between Indigenous peoples and Canada. This insight is crucial for engaging with the ongoing process of truth and reconciliation in Canada today. No textbook required.

This course is a study of some of the major themes of Canadian history from Confederation to the present. It is designed to increase the student’s understanding of how our past influences and engages with the present, and how we are shaping our future. Note: Audio - speakers/headset required. No textbook required. *NOTE: Students wanting to register for a General Education course as part of their certificate or diploma program should make sure to receive formal approval from their Program Coordinator. It should be noted that some general education courses are too close to the vocational specializations of specific programs and are therefore excluded as an option for students. It’s therefore important to receive formal approval before registration.

This course introduces learners to the diverse histories, cultures, and contemporary realities of Metis peoples across Turtle Island (North America). While grounding students in the origins and development of Metis communities in what is now Ontario, the course expands its lens to include the rich diversity of Metis experiences across the Motherland . Students will explore themes of Metis identity, nationhood, governance, resistance, resurgence, and cultural expression through historical and contemporary sources. The course will include oral histories, Indigenous literature, art, and guest presentations from Knowledge Keepers and community leaders. By the end of the course, students will gain a deeper understanding of how Metis communities have shaped and continue to shape Turtle Island, asserting their rights, preserving their cultures, and contributing to the broader Indigenous landscape. No Textbook Required.

This subject is an introductory study of the universal and enduring presence of myths and legends. Students explore creation myths, hero/heroine myths, dominant archetypes, "modern" myths, and other topics. This fabulous journey showcases how a distant past connects to our contemporary world. Prerequisite: College English or equivalent. Textbook required. *NOTE: Students wanting to register for a General Education course as part of their certificate or diploma program should make sure to receive formal approval from their Program Coordinator. It should be noted that some general education courses are too close to the vocational specializations of specific programs and are therefore excluded as an option for students. It’s therefore important to receive formal approval before registration.

This subject is an introductory study of the universal and enduring presence of myths and legends. Students explore creation myths, hero/heroine myths, dominant archetypes, "modern" myths, and other topics. This fabulous journey showcases how a distant past connects to our contemporary world. Prerequisite: College English or equivalent. Textbook required. *NOTE: Students wanting to register for a General Education course as part of their certificate or diploma program should make sure to receive formal approval from their Program Coordinator. It should be noted that some general education courses are too close to the vocational specializations of specific programs and are therefore excluded as an option for students. It’s therefore important to receive formal approval before registration.

Students survey the 4000-year-old history of chocolate: from its ancient Mesoamerican origins as a bitter drink of ritual and medicine, to the growth of a modern “chocolate culture” and its place as a mass-produced globalized product of the twentieth century. Students investigate how chocolate came to be imported into Europe by the Spanish during the sixteenth century and transformed into a sugary drink of the nobility, as well as its later importance to colonization, the slave trade and the Industrial Revolution. Students explore, through six module videos with integrated reading assignments, podcasts and other media, current academic research on the topic and encounter a wide range of primary sources including art, literature and the economic and administrative documents of daily life. Students also have the opportunity to analyse several primary sources (historical documents, paintings, photographs and maps) relevant to the study of chocolate’s cultural history. Textbook Required.

The course will provide students with an introduction to the impact that major cultural traditions of the Middle Ages have had on the modern world. The course will include myths, narratives, images, and other forms of representation from a variety of Western European national and religious traditions. Topics may include the study of kings, warriors, saints, knights, mystics, mythological heroes, and exotic beasts such as dragons. It will also include examinations of medieval-themed material in modern popular culture, including fictional writing, movies, video games, businesses and historic sites, both online and offline. No prior knowledge of medieval studies is required. No textbook required. NOTE: Students will be required to watch two movies: Helgeland, B. (Producer and Director). (2001). A Knight’s Tale [Motion picture]. United States: Columbia Pictures. Crowe, R. (Producer), Grazer. B. (Producer), Scott, R. (Producer and Director). (2010). Robin Hood [Motion picture]. United States: Universal Pictures. *NOTE: Students wanting to register for a General Education course as part of their certificate or diploma program should make sure to receive formal approval from their Program Coordinator. It should be noted that some general education courses are too close to the vocational specializations of specific programs and are therefore excluded as an option for students. It’s therefore important to receive formal approval before registration.

This online course will allow students to explore North American history & issues, technological developments, and contemporary societal connections via the Western video game genre. Following an introduction to the history of the North American West and the Western genre, students will be grounded in a basic understanding of video games and then will study select Western games & related aspects. Themes to be examined include westward expansion, the growth of technology, race relations, historical figures, and the video game in popular culture. Assignments will allow students to creatively explore the contemporary connections to such themes. No textbook required.