Welcome to the Family Studies Department at TDSS!
Family Studies at TDSS encompasses multiple courses focusing on social sciences and the humanities. We offer a range of courses and topics at all grades and levels. From general Family Studies, to Fashion, Philosophy, Raising Healthy Children, and Challenge and Change in Society, every type of learner can find a course that suits them. Many of these courses link directly to the Specialist High Skills Major programs that we offer at TDSS.
Family Studies courses integrate theory, inquiry skills, and practical skills with the goal that all learners develop the knowledge they need to become responsible citizens in their own communities and in the world. Through various instructional strategies, including critical and creative thinking tasks, all students will develop habits of mind that enrich individual, family, and community well-being. No longer is Family Studies just learning how to cook or sew, it is a platform for becoming a well informed and highly skilled individual.
Courses
Level: Open
Course Code: HIF1O
This course explores, within the context of families, some of the fundamental challenges people face: how to meet basic needs, how to relate to others, how to manage resources, and how to become responsible members of society. Students will explore adolescent development and will have opportunities to develop interpersonal, decision-making, and practical skills related to daily life. They will learn about the diverse ways in which families function in Canada and will use research skills as they explore topics related to individual and family needs and resources.
Level: University/College Preparation
Course Code: HSG3M
This course enables students to explore the social construction of gender. Students will learn about the dynamic nature of gender roles and norms; sexism and power relations; and the impact of representations of women and men in the media, popular culture, and the arts. Students will analyse a range of gender equity issues, including gender-based violence and workplace equity, in both Canadian and global contexts. Students will develop and apply research skills and will design and implement a social action initiative relating to gender equity.
Level: College Preparation
Course Code: HNC3C
This course introduces students to the world of fashion. Students will gain an understanding of theories related to fashion trends and of how culture, media, fashion cycles, retailing, and social and environmental factors influence fashion trends and consumer behaviour. Students will use various tools, technologies, and techniques safely and correctly to create fashion items. In addition, students will apply knowledge of fibres, fabrics, and the elements and principles of design when creating and assessing fashion-related products. Students will develop research skills as they investigate topics related to fashion.
Level: University Preparation
Course Code: HSP3U
Prerequisite: The Grade 10 academic course in English, or the Grade 10 academic history course (Canadian and world studies)
This course provides students with opportunities to think critically about theories, questions, and issues related to anthropology, psychology, and sociology. Students will develop an understanding of the approaches and research methods used by social scientists. They will be given opportunities to explore theories from a variety of perspectives, to conduct social science research, and to become familiar with current thinking on a range of issues within the three disciplines.
Level: College Preparation
Course Code: HPW3C
This course prepares students for occupations involving children from birth to six years of age. Students will study theories about child behaviour and development, and will have opportunities for research and observation and for practical experiences with young children. Students will become familiar with occupational opportunities and requirements related to working with infants and young children. They will also have opportunities to develop research and critical-thinking skills as they investigate and evaluate current research about early childhood education.
Level: University Preparation
Course Code: HSB4U
Prerequisite: Any university or university/college preparation course in social sciences and humanities, English, or Canadian and world studies
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.
Level: University/College Preparation
Course: HHG4M
Prerequisite: Any university, college, or university/college preparation course in social sciences and humanities, English, or Canadian and world studies
This course offers a multidisciplinary approach to the study of human development throughout the lifespan. Students will learn about a range of theoretical perspectives on human development. They will examine threats to healthy development as well as protective factors that promote resilience. Students will learn about physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development from the prenatal period through old age and will develop their research and inquiry skills by investigating issues related to human development.
Level: University Preparation
Course: HFA4U
Prerequisite: Any university or university/college preparation course in social sciences and humanities, English, or Canadian and world studies
This course examines the relationships between food, energy balance, and nutritional status; the nutritional needs of individuals at different stages of life; and the role of nutrition in health and disease. Students will evaluate nutrition-related trends and will determine how food choices can promote food security and environmental responsibility. Students will learn about healthy eating, expand their repertoire of food-preparation techniques, and develop their social science research skills by investigating issues related to nutrition and health.
Level: University/College Preparation
Course: HNB4M
Prerequisite: Any university, college, or university/college preparation course in social sciences and humanities, English, or Canadian and world studies
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.
Future Careers
- Case manager
- Community organizer
- Counselor
- Family support worker
- Activity/recreation director
- Administrator
- Advocate
- Grant writer
- Development officer
- Researcher
- All of the above, at MFT or MSW licensed level
- Psychotherapist with individuals, couples, families, and groups
- Clinical case manager
- Psychosocial skills trainer
- Supervisor/manager of therapy/treatment program
- Program developer
- Researcher
- Program evaluator
- Counselor
- Parent educator
- Youth development worker
- Sexuality educator
- Crisis/hotline worker
- Program administrator/director
- Grant-writer
- Development officer
- Program evaluator and researcher (MA/MSW or PhD)
- Clergy, pastoral care
- Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE)
- Teacher – preschool (BA), high school (BA with certification), or higher education (MA/MS or PhD)
- Administrator
- Advocate/policy analyst
- After school program director
- Program evaluator
- Curriculum developer
- School counselor (MA/MS)
- Family support counselor for parents of children with special needs
- Family resource coordinator
- Educational researcher (PhD)
- Fashion Designer
- Accessory Designer
- Fashion Photographer
- Stylist
- Visual Merchandiser
- Pattern Maker
- Retail Manager
- Buyer
- Seamstress/tailor
- Production Manager
- Fashion Journalist
- Fashion Magazine Editor
- Fashion Illustrator
- Family Studies Teacher