Course Description: “The IB Diploma Programme (DP) history course is a world history course based on a comparative and multi- perspective approach to history. It involves the study of a variety of types of history, including political, economic, social and cultural, and provides a balance of structure and flexibility. The course emphasizes the importance of encouraging students to think historically and to develop historical skills as well as gaining factual knowledge. It puts a premium on developing the skills of critical thinking, and on developing an understanding of multiple interpretations of history. In this way, the course involves a challenging and demanding critical exploration of the past.” – IB History Guide, 2017
Course Aims (referenced from IB History Guide):
The aims of the history course at SL and HL are to:
Course Aims (referenced from IB History Guide):
The aims of the history course at SL and HL are to:
- develop an understanding of, and continuing interest in, the past
- encourage students to engage with multiple perspectives and to appreciate the complex nature of historical concepts, issues, events and developments
- promote international-mindedness through the study of history from more than one region of the world
- develop an understanding of history as a discipline and to develop historical consciousness including a sense of chronology and context, and an understanding of different historical perspectives
- develop key historical skills, including engaging effectively with sources
- increase students’ understanding of themselves and of contemporary society by encouraging reflection on the past.
Grading/Assessment Policy: Grades will be based on 80% summative assessments and 20% formative assessments. Summative Assessments will use the prescribed IB rubrics. Formative assessments will be graded on a 2-1-0 scale. 2=Complete; 1=Partially; 0=incomplete. Rubrics and assessment criteria can be found on the teacher website.
IB Exam Grade Breakdown
External assessment (5 hours)
Paper 1 (1 hour)
Source-based paper based on the five prescribed subjects. Choose one prescribed
subject from a choice of five. Answer four structured questions. (24 marks) 20%
Paper 2 (1 hour 30 minutes)
Essay paper based on the 12 world history topics. Answer two essay questions on two different topics. (30 marks) 25%
Paper 3 (2 hours 30 minutes)
Separate papers for each of the four regional options. For the selected region, answer three essay questions. (45 marks) 30%
Internal assessment (20 hours)
This component is internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IB at the end of the course.
Historical investigation
Students are required to complete a historical investigation into a topic of their choice. (25 marks) 20%
Homework Policy: The most meaningful learning happens within the classroom where students can engage in content collaboratively with other students and the teacher. There will be about 1 to 3 hours of homework per week including assigned work, review, reflection, or independent reading. Students will be expected to complete homework by the assigned due date. There is an understanding that students have high workloads and extensions may be made if the student and teacher agree on an alternative due date. Late work without an extension will be graded as partially complete. Missing work will be marked incomplete.
Attendance and Tardy Policy: Please see student handbook for information regarding the attendance and tardy policy.
Classroom rules/expectations: Students will follow classroom expectations as established by the students and teacher at the beginning of the school year. Both students and the teacher will engage in open dialogues about the classroom environment and strive to create a safe, engaging, and meaningful learning environment.
Ethical Practice- Academic Honesty
Students engaged in academic dishonesty will be penalized on the assignment, may be given the opportunity to resubmit the assignment for credit, and they will be reported to their dean for disciplinary action and Administration if applicable.
Academic Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:
• cheating on assignments or tests
• plagiarizing (misrepresenting as one’s own anything done by another)
• submitting the same or substantially similar papers or creative work for more than one course without consent of all instructors concerned.
• depriving another of necessary course materials
• sabotaging another’s work
• colluding to support malpractice by another student
• To avoid plagiarism, words and ideas used to support one’s argument MUST be acknowledged in all journals, papers and presentations.
In our class we use MLA or Chicago. Passages that are quoted verbatim must be enclosed within quotation marks and the author must be acknowledged. Electronic media (websites, etc.) must be treated the same way as books and journals, and the sources of all photographs, maps, illustrations, etc. must also be acknowledged if not your own work.