History & Politics   

This course provides an overview of the historic stages of the relationship between Indigenous peoples in Canada from contact to present day. It will explore the different world views at contact, the years of cooperation and negotiation through the fur trade and treaty making era and the impact of government colonial policy on Indigenous nations. The course will also explore the constitutional recognition of Aboriginal rights which provide an important context for understanding contemporary issues between Indigenous and Canadian societies including land claims, treaties and self-government. No textbook required.

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.

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.