The Canadian and World Studies Department encompasses of subjects such as Economics, Geography, History, Law, Canadian and World Issues and Politics. In studying these subjects, students learn how people interact with and within their social and physical environments today, and how they did so in the past. An important goal of the Canadian and World studies department is to help students develop the knowledge, skills and values they need to become responsible citizens and informed participants in Canadian democracy in the twenty-first century. Their learning in the various courses in this discipline will contribute significantly to students' understanding of Canada's heritage and its physical, social, cultural, governmental, legal and economic structures and relationships. It will also help them perceive Canada in a global context and to understand its evolving role in the world community. The study of economics, geography, history, law and politics is not a matter of memorizing a series of facts. Rather, it teaches students to assess how events, ideas and values affect society. Courses in Canadian and world studies involve students in research, critical thinking, problem solving and decision making and help them develop strong communication skills, including oral communication, reading and writing skills and the ability to use information technology to collect, organize, interpret and present information. The five subjects in Canadian and world studies are fundamentally connected to one another and can easily be linked to other secondary school areas as well.