IB – Diploma Programme Course Descriptions/Objectives
Group 1 – Language A1 –
English HL
The objectives for Language A1 HL include the following: an ability to engage in independent literary criticism in a manner which reveals a personal response to literature; an ability to express ideas with clarity, coherence, conciseness, precision and fluency in both written and oral communication; a command of the language appropriate for the study of literature and a discriminating appreciation of the need for an effective choice of register and style in both written and oral communication; a sound approach to literature through consideration of the works studied; a thorough knowledge both of the individual works studied and of the relationships between groups of works studied; an appreciation of the similarities and differences between literary works from different ages and/or cultures; an ability to engage in independent textual commentary on both familiar and unfamiliar pieces of writing ; a wide-ranging appreciation of structure, technique and style as employed by authors and of their effects on the reader; and an ability to structure ideas and arguments, both orally and in writing, in a logical sustained and persuasive way, and to support them with precise and relevant examples.
Group 2 – Language B
Spanish SL or HL
French SL or HL
At the end of Language B courses, students will be able to communicate clearly and effectively in a wide range of situations; understand and use accurately oral and written forms of the language that are essential for effective communication in a range of styles and situations; understand and use a wide range of vocabulary; select a register and style that are appropriate to the situation; express ideas with general clarity and fluency; structure arguments in a clear, coherent and convincing way; understand and analyze moderately complex written and spoken material; assess subtleties of the language in a wide range of forms, styles and registers; and show and awareness of, and sensitivity to, the culture(s) related to the language studied.
Group 3 – Individuals and Society
History of Europe HL
Students are expected to comprehend, analyze, evaluate and integrate source material critically as historical evidence; demonstrate historical understanding of 20th century world history through the acquisition, selection, effective use and synthesis of knowledge; explain different approaches to and interpretations of historical events and topics; place vents in their historical context; explain the causes and effects of historical continuity and change; present arguments that are clear, coherent, relevant, and well substantiated; present historical explanations from an international perspective and plan, organize and present an individual historical investigation. Higher level candidates also demonstrate an in-depth historical understanding of approximately 100 years of history of one region, through the acquisition, selection, effective use and synthesis of knowledge.
Information Technology in a Global Society (ITGS) SL
There are five assessment objectives for the ITGS SL course. Students will be expected to understand and critically examine the global impact of IT developments; demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the social and ethical implications of IT systems and developments at the local, national and global level; analyze and evaluate the social and ethical implications of IT developments; express ideas clearly and coherently with supporting arguments and examples; and to design and apply IT solutions to a problem set in a social context through a project.
Psychology SL
There are nine assessment objectives for Psychology SL. Students will be able to explain, where appropriate, how cultural, ethical, gender and methodological considerations may affect the interpretation of behavior; describe, compare, and evaluate the four content topics of the perspectives, develop and cultural contexts, framework, methodologies, application; describe and evaluate theories and empirical studies of the perspectives; identify and explain the strengths and limitations of explanations of behavior of each perspective; describe and evaluate theories related to the selected options; identify, explain and evaluate empirical studies relevant to the selected options; apply theories and findings of empirical studies to explanations of human behavior; analyze and compare issues with the selected options; and demonstrate the acquisition of knowledge and skills required for experimental design, data collection, data analysis and interpretation
Group 4 – Experimental Sciences
Biology HL and SL
Biology HL or SL has as its core objectives that students will demonstrate an understanding of and apply and use: scientific facts and concepts, scientific methods and techniques, scientific terminology, and methods of presenting scientific information. Furthermore, students will be able to construct, analyze and evaluate hypotheses, research questions, and predictions, scientific methods and techniques, and scientific explanations. Students will also demonstrate the personal skills of cooperation, perseverance and responsibility which is appropriate for effective scientific investigation and problem solving. An ability to demonstrate manipulative skills to carry out scientific investigations with precision and safety is an additional objective of the course
Physics SL
Physics SL has as its core objectives that students will demonstrate an understanding of and apply and use: scientific facts and concepts, scientific methods and techniques, scientific terminology, and methods of presenting scientific information. Furthermore students will be able to construct, analyze and evaluate hypotheses, research questions, and predictions, scientific methods and techniques, and scientific explanations. Students will also demonstrate the personal skills of cooperation, perseverance and responsibility which is appropriate for effective scientific investigation and problem solving. An ability to demonstrate manipulative skills to carry out scientific investigations with precision and safety is an additional objective of the course.
Group 5 – Mathematics
Mathematics SL
The objectives of Mathematics SL are to read, interpret, and solve a given problems using appropriate mathematical terms; organize and present information and data tin tabular, graphical and/or diagrammatic forms; know and use appropriate notation and terminology; formulate a mathematical argument and communicate it clearly; select and use appropriate mathematical strategies and techniques; demonstrate an understanding of both the significance and the reasonableness of results; recognize patterns and structures in a variety of situations and make generalizations; recognize and demonstrate an understanding of the practical applications of mathematics; use appropriate technological devises as mathematical tools; and demonstrate an understanding of and the appropriate use of mathematical modelling.
Mathematical Studies SL
The objectives of Mathematical Studies SL are to read, interpret, and solve given problems using appropriate mathematical terms; organize and present information and data in tabular, graphical and/or diagrammatic forms; know and use appropriate notation and terminology; formulate a mathematical argument and communicate it clearly; select and use appropriate mathematical strategies and techniques; demonstrate an understanding of both the significance and the reasonableness of results; recognize patterns and structures in a variety of situations and make generalizations; recognize and demonstrate an understanding of the practical applications of mathematics; use appropriate technological devises as mathematical tools; and demonstrate an understanding of and the appropriate use of mathematical modelling.
Group 6 – The Arts
Visual Arts HL or SL
Candidates who complete Visual Arts HL or SL will be expected to demonstrate growth and commitment through the study of art and in interrelationship between their research and their artistic production. Studio work will demonstrate through purposeful exploration an inquiring and integrative approach to a variety of visual phenomena; synthesis of art concepts and skills in works that are personally, socioculturally and aesthetically meaningful; solve formal and technical problems encountered in studio practice; exhibit technical skills and an appropriate use of media and produce works of art with imagination and creativity through individual and, where appropriate, collaborative work. Investigation workbooks will demonstrate in visual and written terms how personal research has led to an understanding of the topics or concepts being investigate; analyze critically the meaning and aesthetic qualities of art forms using an informed vocabulary; show some awareness of the cultural, historical and social dimensions of themes in more than one cultural context; and examine the visual and functional qualities of art from their own and other cultures for meaning and significance. |
