Curriculum Coordinator and Learning Strategist

Dr. Karen McCloskey

MA, PhD, QM Quality Matters

HSG3M

Grade 11

University/College Preparation

Gender Studies

Find additional course details below, including delivery format, course availability, course duration, prerequisite, tuition fee, hardware/software requirements, etc.

HSG3M

Grade 11

University/College Preparation

Gender Studies

Find additional course details below, including delivery format, course availability, course duration, prerequisite, tuition fee, hardware/software requirements, etc.

Course Details

Course Code

HSG3M

Course Name

Gender Studies

Grade

Grade 11

Course Type

University/College Preparation

Format

Asynchronous Delivery

Prerequisite

None

Tuition Fee

$500.00

Course Duration

At Your Own Pace (4 weeks to 6 months)

Credit Value

1.0

Availability

Start Anytime

Course Reviser/Developer

Dr. Karen McCloskey

Latest Revision Date

July 2026

Curriculum

The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 9 to 12: Social Sciences and Humanities (2013)

Course Description, Unit Overview, Timeline

This course enables students to explore the concept of gender and how it influences identities, relationships, and social structures. Students will analyse the impact of gender on individuals and communities in historical and contemporary contexts and explore ways to challenge gender-based discrimination. The course encourages critical thinking about power, privilege, and equity, and helps students develop a deeper understanding of gender issues, both in Canada and globally, while preparing them for further studies in the social sciences and humanities.

Outlined below is a description of each unit, including what students will learn and the recommended hours for completion.

Unit Title & Description

Time Allocated

Unit 1: Introduction to Gender Studies

Build a foundation in gender studies. You will explore the difference between sex and gender, the social construction of gender, and how gender shapes identity and intersects with other aspects of who we are.

20 Hours

Unit 2: Power, Privilege, and Representation

Examine how power and privilege are distributed along gender lines and how gender is represented in media and culture. You will analyse sexism, intersectionality, and the impact of representations on perceptions of gender.

20 Hours

Unit 3: Gender Issues and Policy in Context

Investigate gender-related issues and the efforts to address them. You will examine struggles to secure rights and social supports, local and global challenges, and the nature, causes, and prevention of gender-based violence.

20 Hours

Unit 4: Global Perspectives on Gender

Explore gender issues in a global context, including access to education, health, and rights. You will analyse how gender intersects with culture, religion, and economic development, and examine international efforts to promote gender equality.

18 Hours

Unit 5: Becoming an Agent of Change

Turn understanding into action. You will study individuals, groups, and social movements that have advanced gender equity, examine equitable workplaces, and plan a social action initiative to challenge gender-based discrimination.

18 Hours

Final Exam/Culminating Task

Demonstrate your learning through an in-depth inquiry into a gender-related issue of your choice, presenting your findings in a comprehensive research report or multimedia project. You will then complete a proctored two-hour final exam. The Culminating Project is worth 10 percent and the Final Exam is worth 15 percent of the final grade.

14 Hours

Total Hours

110 Hours

Teaching and Learning Strategies

At Royal Ontario Academy, our asynchronous, self-paced courses are crafted to engage students actively, encouraging deep learning and self-reflection. Our online OSSD courses are normally divided into 8-10 smaller sections to help students learn content in manageable portions. Lessons connect concepts to practical, relatable social, environmental, and economic issues, fostering lifelong learning by helping students apply knowledge to real-life contexts.

Students are encouraged to explore, investigate, and think critically as they progress independently. This approach emphasizes problem-solving skills, guiding students to persist through challenges, reason through complex ideas, and explore alternative solutions on their own, building resilience and independence essential for success beyond the classroom.

Our virtual high school courses provide a variety of learning experiences through virtual labs, simulations, knowledge checks, reflections, and videos. Interactive activities and discussion forums are designed to draw on students prior knowledge, keeping them engaged and actively participating. These tools enable OSSD students to practice, reflect, and apply concepts flexibly at their own pace, creating a personalized learning journey tailored to each students’ interests and goals.

Assessment and Evaluation

A wide variety of assessment and evaluation tools will be used to earn credits towards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma at Royal Ontario Academy, including quizzes, tests, projects, essays, journals, and final assessments. The final exam is a closed-book, online test that is proctored and has a time limit. Students may also be required to appear on video for other assessments in certain courses.

At Royal Ontario Academy, the final mark in every course is made up of three parts:

65% is based on coursework completed throughout the online course.
25% is based on a final evaluation.
10% is based on attendance and participation, reflecting consistent weekly engagement with the course.

Depending on the course, the final evaluation may be a proctored written exam, a culminating task such as a project, essay, or presentation, or a combination of both. Attendance and participation reflects how consistently a student engages with their learning each week, and excused absences approved by the Principal do not lower this part of the mark.

Students will receive two reports per course:

First Report (Midterm): Issued when the student reaches the halfway point of the course. It reflects achievement and development to that point, including attendance and participation.
Final Report: Reflects overall achievement and development for the entire course, including attendance and participation.

This course follows the current Growing Success requirements, including the mandatory assessment and evaluation updates that take effect in the 2026-2027 school year. According to Growing Success: Assessment, Evaluation, and Reporting in Ontario Schools, the primary purpose of assessment and evaluation is to improve student learning. To ensure that assessment, evaluation, and reporting are valid and reliable, and that they lead to the improvement of learning for all students, Royal Ontario Academy teachers use practices and procedures that:

are fair, transparent, and equitable for all students;
support all students, including those with special education needs, those who are learning the language of instruction (English or French), and those who are First Nation, Metis, or Inuit;
are carefully planned to relate to the curriculum expectations and learning goals and, as much as possible, to the interests, learning styles and preferences, needs, and experiences of all students;
are communicated clearly to students and parents at the beginning of the course and at other appropriate points throughout the course;
are ongoing, varied in nature, and administered over a period of time to provide multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate the full range of their learning;
provide ongoing descriptive feedback that is clear, specific, meaningful, and timely to support improved learning and achievement;
develop students’ self-assessment skills to enable them to assess their own learning, set specific goals, and plan next steps for their learning.

Accommodations and IEP for Students

At Royal Ontario Academy, we believe that all OSSD students can benefit from a more accommodating online learning experience Accommodations allow for increased access to the course, without any changes to the knowledge and skills the student is expected to demonstrate.

An Individual Education Plan (IEP)is a personalized document that outlines a students’ learning needs, as well as the accommodations or services they require to succeed in their courses. At Royal Ontario Academy, our flexible online learning environment already addresses many common accommodation needs, but if a student requires additional support, our Principal is ready to help you!

– Students with Existing IEP: If a student has an existing IEP from another elementary or secondary school, Royal Ontario Academy can implement the listed accommodations, provided they are applicable within our online learning environment. To do so, a copy of the students’ IEP must be submitted to our Principal for review.

– Students Without IEP: If a student requires accommodations but does not currently have an IEP, our Principal will work with the student to assess their learning needs and develop a path forward. In this case, students will need to submit supporting documentation to help determine the appropriate accommodations.

– English Language Learners:– English Language Learners: Students who enroll at Royal Ontario Academy can provide information about their English language proficiency during the registration process. This information helps our teachers and Principal to tailor their teaching strategies and implement accommodations that support English language learners effectively.

For students and parents wishing to submit IEP documentation or request accommodations, please contact our Principal at info@royalontarioacademy.com

Resources Required by the Student

Resources
Textbooks and Articles:
“Gender Trouble” by Judith Butler
“The Second Sex” by Simone de Beauvoir
Selected journal articles on contemporary gender issues
Online Resources:
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Gender Studies Section)
Gender Spectrum (resources for understanding gender diversity)
TED Talks on gender and feminism
Documentaries and Films:
“Miss Representation” (Jennifer Siebel Newsom)
“The Mask You Live In” (Jennifer Siebel Newsom)
“Half the Sky” (Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn)
Interactive Tools:
Gender analysis tools and resources from organizations like UN Women
Online debate platforms for practicing argumentation skills related to gender issues
Guest Speakers and Workshops:
Sessions with gender studies scholars, activists, and professionals in related fields to provide real-world insights into gender issues and advocacy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is HSG3M?
HSG3M is a Grade 11 Gender Studies course at University Preparation level.

2. What are 3M – (eg: 3M in AWQ3M (HSG3M))
3M for the HSG3M refers to the grade level and the course type. 3 refers to the 9th Grade and the second digit refers to the University Preparation course type.

3. What is the prerequisite for HSG3M?
The prerequisite for Gender Studies is None (Canadian and world studies)

4. How long does it take to complete the HSG3M online course?
The completion of the HSG3M course varies depending on the pace of each student. However, the course can be completed in as little as 4 weeks up to a maximum of 6 months. Longer timelines are available on approval by the Principal.

5. Will my marks be sent directly to OUAC or OCAS?
Yes. We can send your HSG3M online course marks to OUAC (Ontario University’ Application Centre) or OCAS (Ontario College Application Service).

6. How lessons are delivered for the HSG3M?
At Royal Ontario Academy, course learning is asynchronously delivered for the HSG3M in various formats such as videos, question and answers, interactive tools, written notes, simulations, presentations, and external websites/links depending on the subject material of the course.

7. What is the withdrawal policy?
For students registered in Grade 9 and 10 courses, withdrawals can be made at any time and are not recorded on the Ontario Student Transcript (OST).
For students registered in Grade 11 and 12 courses, withdrawals made within 5 days of the issuance of the first (mid-term) report card from Royal Ontario Academy will result in the mark not being recorded on the Ontario Student Transcript (OST). Withdrawals after 5 days of the issuance of the first (mid term) report card will result in a “”””W”””” being entered in the “”””Credit”””” column of the OST, along with the mark at the time of withdrawal.

8. What is the due date of my course?
Since your course is self-paced, there are no set due dates, allowing you to progress at your own speed. However, please be mindful of any deadlines for university or college applications.

9. Can I earn my OSSD (Ontario secondary school diploma) credits through online courses?
Yes, you can earn your Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) credits fully online through Royal Ontario Academy. To earn OSSD credits, you will need to complete 30 credits (18 compulsory and 12 optional), pass the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test, and fulfill 40 hours of community involvement.

Canadian Course Pricing

$500

/ 1 course

$900

/ 2 courses

$1275

/ 3 courses

Start your learning journey with us.

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Gender Studies