The Canadian and World Studies Department helps students to become informed, responsible, and active global citizens. We impart valuable skills and crucial abilities. Our students become critical thinkers and problem solvers, respectful of self and others. Here, we inquire: How is our planet changing? How did our society get to where it is? What could this mean for my life? Then, through the courses and experiences we offer, we help students discover how to navigate those complexities.

Why we do it:

As our world rapidly changes, the skills and knowledge that students get from the Canadian and World Studies Department prepares them for any field that they may pursue, from the sciences to the humanities, or from commerce to public affairs. Ask any CEO, any manager, what qualities will they be looking for in the future and the answer will surely have something to do with critical thinking, with the ability to understand and to express that understanding. These aren’t mere technical skills -- they are abilities the department fosters in every student. Learning to do research and learning to express oneself in speech, in writing, and in the new media are all part of a solid foundation for post-secondary studies and for managing our lives.

How we do it:

Our program weaves together courses in geography, history, civics, law, and travel & tourism. These courses introduce students to life skills and career opportunities. Practical and conceptual skills are developed through a diversified strategy of teaching and learning which includes library and online research, field observations, research papers, seminar-style discussions, and individual and group presentations, among others.

Enriching opportunities:

Our central location in the heart of downtown Toronto gives us tremendous access to facilities that enrich our program. These include the Royal Ontario Museum, the Ontario Legislative Assembly, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the University of Toronto, and historic Spadina House, to name a few.​