Grade 12

Grade 12 Course List

This course focuses on the development of leadership skills used in managing a successful business. Students will analyse the role of a leader in business, with a focus on decision making, management of group dynamics, workplace stress and conflict, motivation of employees, and planning. Effective business communication skills, ethics, and social responsibility are also emphasized.

 Prerequisite: None

Required Course Materials: None

This course traces the history of Canada, with a focus on the evolution of our national
identity and culture as well as the identity and culture of various groups that make up
Canada. Students will explore various developments and events, both national and
international, from precontact to the present, and will examine various communities in
Canada and how they have contributed to identity and heritage in Canada. Students
will investigate the development of culture and identity, including national identity, in
Canada and how and why they have changed throughout the country’s history. They will
extend their ability to apply the concepts of historical thinking and the historical inquiry
process, including the interpretation and analysis of evidence, as they investigate the
people, events, and forces that have shaped Canada.

Prerequisite: Any university or university/college preparation course in Canadian and world studies, English, or social sciences and humanities.

Required Course Materials: None

This course emphasizes the consolidation of literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking skills necessary for success in academic and daily life. Students will analyse a variety of informational and graphic texts, as well as literary texts from various countries and cultures, and create oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms for practical and academic purposes. An important focus will be on using language with precision and clarity and developing greater control in writing. The course is intended to prepare students for college or the workplace.

Prerequisite: English, Grade 11, College Preparation

Required Course Materials: A novel for independent study (selected from an approved list provided by the teacher).

This course emphasizes the consolidation of the literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking skills necessary for success in academic and daily life. Students will analyse a range of challenging literary texts from various periods, countries, and cultures; interpret and evaluate informational and graphic texts; and create oral, written, and media texts in a variety of forms. An important focus will be on using academic language coherently and confidently, selecting the reading strategies best suited to particular texts and particular purposes for reading, and developing greater control in writing. The course is intended to prepare students for university, college, or the workplace.

Prerequisite: English, Grade 11, University Preparation

Required Course Materials: Two novels for Independent Study (to be chosen from a list provided by the teacher). 

This course emphasizes knowledge and skills related to the craft of writing. Students will analyse models of effective writing; use a workshop approach to produce a range of works; identify and use techniques required for specialized forms of writing; and identify effective ways to improve the quality of their writing. They will also complete a major paper as part of a creative or analytical independent study project and investigate opportunities for publication and for writing careers.

Prerequisite: English, Grade 11, University Preparation

Required Course Materials: None

This course enables students to draw on sociological, psychological, and anthropological theories and research to analyse the development of individuals, intimate relationships, and family and parent-child relationships. Students will focus on issues and challenges facing individuals and families in Canada’s diverse society. They will develop analytical tools that enable them to assess various factors affecting families and to consider policies and practices intended to support families in Canada. They will develop the investigative skills required to conduct and communicate the results of research on individuals, intimate relationships, and parent-child relationships.

Prerequisite: Any university or university/college preparation course in social sciences and humanities, English, or Canadian and world studies

Required Course Materials: None

This course focuses on preparing students for living independently and working successfully with others. Students will learn to manage their personal resources to meet their basic needs for food, clothing, and housing. They will also learn about their personal, legal, and financial responsibilities and develop and apply interpersonal skills in order to make wise and responsible personal and occupational choices. Students will apply research and inquiry skills while investigating topics related to personal
life management. The course emphasizes the achievement of expectations through practical experiences.

Prerequisite: None

Required Course Materials: None

This course gives students the opportunity to explore the world of fashion. Students will learn how to create a fashion product using various tools, techniques, and technologies while developing their practical skills. Students will learn about various factors that affect the global fashion industry, the needs of specialized markets, and the impact of fibre and fabric production and care. In addition, they will learn about social and historical influences on fashion. Students will apply research skills when investigating aspects of the fashion world.

Prerequisite: Any university, college, or university/college preparation course in social sciences and humanities, English, or Canadian and world studies

Required Course Materials: None

This course focuses on the use of social science theories, perspectives, and methodologies to investigate and explain shifts in knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviour and their impact on society. Students will critically analyse how and why cultural, social, and behavioural patterns change over time. They will explore the ideas of social theorists and use those ideas to analyse causes of and responses to challenges such as technological change, deviance, and global inequalities. Students will explore ways in which social science research methods can be used to study social change.

Prerequisite: Any university or university/college preparation course in social sciences and humanities, English, or Canadian and world studies

Required Course Materials: None

This course enables students to acquire an understanding of the nature of philosophy
and philosophical reasoning skills and to develop and apply their knowledge and
skills while exploring specialized branches of philosophy (the course will cover at
least three of the following branches: metaphysics, ethics, epistemology, philosophy
of science, social and political philosophy, aesthetics).∗ Students will develop critical
thinking and philosophical reasoning skills as they formulate and evaluate arguments
related to a variety of philosophical questions and theories. They will also develop
research and inquiry skills related to the study and practice of philosophy. 

Prerequisite: Any university or university/college preparation course in social sciences
and humanities, English, or Canadian and world studies 

Required Course Materials: None

This course enables students to further develop knowledge and skills in computer science. Students will use modular design principles to create complex and fully documented programs, according to industry standards. Student teams will manage a large software development project, from planning through to project review. Students will also analyse algorithms for effectiveness. They will investigate ethical issues in computing and further explore environmental issues, emerging technologies, areas of research in computer science, and careers in the field.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Computer Science, Grade 11, University Preparation

Required Course Materials: None

This course enables students to extend their knowledge of functions. Students will investigate and apply properties of polynomial, exponential, and trigonometric functions; continue to represent functions numerically, graphically, and algebraically; develop facility in simplifying expressions and solving equations; and solve problems that address applications of algebra, trigonometry, vectors, and geometry. Students will reason mathematically and communicate their thinking as they solve multi-step problems. This course prepares students for a variety of college technology programs.

Prerequisite: Functions and Applications, Grade 11, University/College Preparation, or Functions, Grade 11, University Preparation

Required Course Materials: None

This course broadens students’ understanding of mathematics as it relates to managing data. Students will apply methods for organizing and analysing large amounts of information; solve problems involving probability and statistics; and carry out a culminating investigation that integrates statistical concepts and skills. Students will also refine their use of the mathematical processes necessary for success in senior mathematics. Students planning to enter university programs in business, the social sciences, and the humanities will find this course of particular interest.

Prerequisite: Functions, Grade 11, University Preparation, or Functions and Applications, Grade 11, University/College Preparation

Required Course Materials: None

This course extends students’ experience with functions. Students will investigate the properties of polynomial, rational, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions; develop techniques for combining functions; broaden their understanding of rates of change; and develop facility in applying these concepts and skills. Students will also refine their use of the mathematical processes necessary for success in senior mathematics. This course is intended both for students taking the Calculus and Vectors course as a prerequisite for a university program and for those wishing to consolidate their understanding of mathematics before proceeding to any one of a variety of university programs.

Prerequisite: Functions, Grade 11, University Preparation, or Mathematics for College Technology, Grade 12, College Preparation

Required Course Materials:  None

This course is designed to help students acquire and demonstrate the cross-curricular literacy
skills that are evaluated by the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT). Students
who complete the course successfully will meet the provincial literacy requirement for
graduation. Students will read a variety of informational, narrative, and graphic texts and will
produce a variety of forms of writing, including summaries, information paragraphs, opinion
pieces, and news reports. Students will also maintain and manage a portfolio containing a
record of their reading experiences and samples of their writing.
 

Prerequisite:  Eligibility requirement: Students who have been eligible to write the OSSLT at

least twice and who have been unsuccessful at least once are eligible to take the course. (Stu-
dents who have already met the literacy requirement for graduation may be eligible to take the
course under special circumstances, at the discretion of the principal.)

 

Required Course Materials: None

 

 

This course focuses on the study of human movement and of systems, factors, and principles involved in human development. Students will learn about the effects of physical activity on health and performance, the evolution of physical activity and sport, and the physiological, psychological, and social factors that influence an individual’s participation in physical activity and sport. The course prepares students for university programs in physical education and health, kinesiology, health sciences, health studies, recreation, and sports administration

Prerequisite: Any Grade 11 university or university/college preparation course in science, or any Grade 11 or 12 course in health and physical education

Required Course Materials: None

This course provides students with the opportunity for in-depth study of the concepts and
processes that occur in biological systems. Students will study theory and conduct
investigations in the areas of biochemistry, metabolic processes, molecular genetics,
homeostasis, and population dynamics. Emphasis will be placed on the achievement of
detailed knowledge and the refinement of skills needed for further study in various branches of
the life sciences and related fields.
 

Prerequisite:  Biology, Grade 11, University Preparation

 

Required Course Materials: None

 

 

This course enables students to deepen their understanding of chemistry through the
study of organic chemistry, the structure and properties of matter, energy changes and
rates of reaction, equilibrium in chemical systems, and electrochemistry. Students will
further develop their problem-solving and investigation skills as they investigate
chemical processes, and will refine their ability to communicate scientific information.
Emphasis will be placed on the importance of chemistry in everyday life and on
evaluating the impact of chemical technology on the environment.

Prerequisite:  Chemistry, Grade 11, University Preparation

Required Course Materials: None

This course enables students, including those pursuing postsecondary programs outside the sciences, to increase their understanding of science and contemporary social and environmental issues in health-related fields. Students will explore a variety of medical technologies, pathogens and disease, nutritional science, public health issues, and biotechnology. The course focuses on the theoretical aspects of the topics under study and helps refine students’ scientific investigation skills.

Prerequisite: Science, Grade 10, Academic, or any Grade 11 university, university/college, or college preparation course in science

Required Course Materials: None