Canada: History, Identity and Culture – Grade 12 (University)

CHI4U online 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 analyze the interactions of various groups, the role of citizens in shaping Canadian society, and the influence of geography, economics, and global events on the Canadian experience from precontact to present.

Unit 1: Pre-Contact and Early Colonial Canada

Students examine the diverse cultures and societies of Indigenous peoples prior to European contact, and analyze the nature and impact of early European exploration and colonization on Indigenous communities and emerging Canadian identity.

Unit 2: Building a Nation: Confederation and Expansion

Students investigate the political, economic, and cultural forces that led to Confederation in 1867, and analyze the expansion of Canada westward, including the impact on Indigenous peoples and the development of a distinct Canadian identity.

Unit 3: Canada in the Twentieth Century: War, Change, and Identity

Students examine Canada's participation in World War I and II, the social and economic changes of the interwar period, and the ways in which these experiences shaped Canadian autonomy, multicultural identity, and international role.

Unit 4: Modern Canada: Challenges and Evolving Identity

Students analyze key developments in contemporary Canadian history, including the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Indigenous rights movements, Quebec sovereignty debates, immigration, and Canada's evolving role in global affairs.