Introduction to Canadian Contemporary Issues

Course description

An introduction to contemporary issues in Canadian society, including:

• politics
• economic and social structures
• cultural and arts policy
• science and technology
• multiculturalism
• bilingualism
• First Nations
• gender

Learning objectives

Upon succesful completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Describe the historical development of social policy in Canada.
• Identify factors related to structural disadvantage in Canada, and their impact with respect to particular groups.
• Appreciate the complex history of federal policy in Canada with respect to social policy and immigration, and the contemporary challenges.
• Provide a reasoned assessment of the Canadian experiment with multiculturalism.
• Describe factors that significantly influence policy development in Canada such as the economy, the media, political structures and ideology.
• Assess your own theoretical and ideological standpoint with respect to contemporary social issues.
• Identify and discuss specific social (welfare) policies and programs as they impact the lives of people who live in poverty, including women and Indigenous peoples.
• Think critically about contemporary policy issues and develop and apply skills for analyzing social policies.
• Appreciate the historical complexities of Canadian social, economic and political problems, and discuss controversial topics relating to the same with tact and respect.

Prerequisites

Permission of Program Coordinator. Please call 250-721-7589 for more information.