INDIVIDUALS & SOCIETIES
INDIVIDUALS & SOCIETIES
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All AISJ High School students take a conceptually driven Social Studies course in grades 9 and 10. In addition to this, they may select one of two elective courses. In Grade 11 and 12 there are six additional courses offered, five of which are IBDP courses. HSP student may also continue to select the Social Studies electives.
S O C I A L S T U D I E S 9
Offered at: Grade 9
Credits: 1 (one-year course)
Concepts Include: Change, Continuity, Causation, Consequence, Significance, Perspectives
Overview:
The Grade 9 Social Studies course focuses on developing critical reading, communication, and analytical thinking skills while exploring significant historical and contemporary issues. In Semester 1, students examine the role of communities in shaping individual and social identities, focusing on how religion and gender intersect to influence identity. They demonstrate their understanding through evidence-based writing, academic discussions, source analysis, and infographic creation. Additionally, students investigate global inequality by critically assessing the effectiveness of international development metrics. In Semester 2, the focus shifts to Africa during 1200–1400, where students explore how colonization disrupted existing systems across the continent. By engaging with primary and secondary sources, students hone their historical thinking, evidence evaluation, and ability to understand diverse perspectives. This course prepares students to critically examine both historical and contemporary issues within a global context.
Course prerequisites: None
Course requisites: None
S O C I A L S T U D I E S 1 0
Offered at: Grade 10
Credits: 1 (one-year course)
Concepts Include: Change, Continuity, Causation, Consequence, Significance, Perspectives.
Overview:
Social Studies in grade 10 is focused on developing students’ critical reading, research, and communication skills in the content and concepts of Social Studies. By exploring rich, relevant learning experiences in social studies, we work to deepen thinking, perspective-taking, and questioning, all necessary and relevant skills and mindsets for the 21st century. Unit one asks students to think like social scientists and explain socialization processes on our beliefs and values. Students apply this knowledge to identify how ideas around race are socialized and argue in an evidence-driven essay whether there is more evidence of change or continuity in modern perspectives on race. Our next unit helps students understand the causes and consequences of colonialism and develops their skills in analyzing sources and writing document-based essay responses. Our final unit examines the forces that shaped South Africa in the 20th Century.
Course prerequisites: None
Course requisites: None
C O N T E M P O R A R Y I S S U E S 11/12
Offered at: Grade 11 and Grade 12
Credits: 1 (one-year course ), can be both in Grade 11 and Grade 12
Concepts Include: Change, Power, Government, Place and Space.
Overview:
Contemporary Issues is a year-long course designed to prepare students to understand and act as global citizens. Students will use social studies thinking skills, economic reasoning tools, and information literacy skills to analyze modern issues and engage in democratic processes to solve problems. The inquiry-research-argument cycle will be used to practice formal writing, discussion, and presentation of ideas.
Course prerequisites: None
Course requisites: None
I B D P E C O N O M I C S H L & S L
Offered at: Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 2 (two year course)
Concepts Include: Scarcity, Choice, Efficiency, Equity, Economic well-being, Sustainability, Change, Interdependency, Intervention.
Overview:
The IB Economics curriculum employs a concept-based, real-world approach to developing students’ understanding of economic theories and issues. Through exploring micro, macro, and global economic concepts and case studies, students gain an appreciation for the interconnected, multifaceted nature of socioeconomic trends and policies. The inquiry-focused program aims to cultivate intellectually curious critical thinkers skilled in data analysis and equipped to address contemporary challenges.
Course prerequisites: None
I B D P G E O G R A P H Y H L & S L
Offered at: Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 2 (two year course)
Concepts Include: Place, Processes (human and physical), Power, Possibilities, Scale, Spatial Interactions.
Overview:
IBDP Geography aims to help students understand the interrelationships between people, places, spaces, and the environment. Through our analysis of contemporary issues and challenges, we develop a global perspective of diversity and change. Geography is unique as it bridges the humanities and sciences. The units all students study include population change, global climate - vulnerability and resilience, and global resource consumption and security. We study two (SL) or three (HL) optional units: leisure, tourism and sport, urban environments, and geophysical hazards. HL students study three additional units looking at global interactions with a broader perspective: power, places and networks, human development and diversity, global risks, and resilience. Their IA students are required to undertake fieldwork, collecting primary data, which is presented as a written report based on a fieldwork question.
Course prerequisites: None
Course requisites: None
I B D P H I S TO R Y H L & S L
Offered at: Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 2 (two-year course)
Concepts Include: Change, Continuity, Causation, Consequence, Significance, Perspectives.
Overview:
This course aims to teach historical thinking in the context of 20th century world history. To be able to think like a historian, students will develop skills in argumentative essay writing, historical interpretation, research, and critical analysis of sources. Students will learn about the causes and impacts of 20th-century conflicts such as World War II, the South African War, and the Cold War. Additionally, the South African Apartheid resistance movement and the Civil Rights movement in the United States will comprise a case study in source analysis. HL students will also study developments in South and Sub-Saharan African history in the 20th century.
Course prerequisites: Grade 9-10 social studies with a focus on writing and analysis
Course requisites: None
I B D P P S Y C H O L O G Y H L & S L
Offered at: Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 2 (two-year course)
Concepts Include: Bias, Causality, Change, Measurment, Perspective, Responsibility
Overview: The main aims of the IB Psychology course are to encourage the systematic and critical study of human experience and behavior and to develop an understanding of the biological, social, and cultural influences on human behavior. Additional aims of the course are to develop knowledge and understanding of psychological concepts, content, and contexts, including models and theories, to think critically and creatively about behavior and cognitive processes, and to engage with problems facing individuals, groups, and societies using psychological understanding and skills. The curriculum is divided into four parts: the study of three approaches (biological, cognitive, social-cultural); research methodology; experimental study; and four contexts of study (health and well-being, human development, human relationships, learning and cognition).
Course prerequisites: None
Course requisites: None
P S Y C H O L O G Y I
Offered at: Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (semester course), only offered Semester 1
Concepts include: Perspectives, Human development, Nature vs Nurture, Social Identity Theory, Groupthink
Overview:
Psychology I is a semester-long course where students begin to explore the science of psychology. The Semester 1 course introduces the different perspectives/fields of psychology and the approaches each field uses to understand human behaviors and mental processes. Students are assessed by using these perspectives to analyze the behaviors of a case study. Next, students investigate the debate over the roles of nature and nurture and demonstrate their understanding of the research on the question, “What does the research say are the roles of nature vs nurture in X? in a lesson-style presentation. After a critical review of research methods, students learn about the biology of psychology with a focus on the developmental stage of adolescence. Students demonstrate their understanding by researching and presenting their findings on the effects of an environmental factor of their choice on the teenage brain.
Course Prerequisites: None
Course Requisites: None
P S Y C H O L O G Y II
Offered at: Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (semester course), only offered Semester 2
Concepts include: Social Identity Theory, Groupthink, Stereotypes, Social Learning Theory, Culture
Overview:
Psychology II is a semester-long course where students continue to explore and deepen their understanding of the science of psychology. The Semester 2 course will focus on the sociocultural approach to understanding human behavior. The units will develop from specific to general, where the individual is the building block of a larger cultural group. Theories like the social identity theory and the social learning theory will be explored to understand how humans interact with each other, as well as the different variables that make humans make the decisions they make.
Course Prerequisites: None
Course Requisites: None
G E N D E R S T U D I E S
Offered at: Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (semester course)
Concepts include: Identity, Power, Culture, Change, Responsibility.
Overview:
This course offers an introductory overview of the interdisciplinary field of Gender Studies. Students will learn about the dynamic nature of gender roles and norms, sexual orientation, sexism and power relations, and the impact of representations of women and men in the media, popular culture, and the arts. Students will analyze a range of equity issues at the intersections of these identities. Students will develop and apply research skills and will design and implement an activism initiative relating to gender equity.
Course Prerequisites: None
Course Requisites: None
P E R S O N A L F I N A N C I A L L I T E R A C Y
Offered at: Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (semester course)
Concepts include: Budgeting; Saving, Investing; Credit Scores: Financial Goal-Setting; Risk management; Taxes.
Overview:
Personal Finance Literacy is a course that develops critical thinking and communication skills through the macro-concepts of Interconnectedness, Responsibility, Sustainability, and Decision-making. Students explore money management strategies such as budgeting, saving, and investing while examining debt, credit, and loan interest. Topics include credit scores, responsible credit card use, and financial planning. Students build financial literacy by making informed decisions and evaluating real-world scenarios like mock budgets and virtual stock market games through readings, discussions, simulations, presentations, and creating a Google Site. The course highlights how financial decisions influence personal and global well-being, using the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a foundation to align values, principles, and future-focused practices. This knowledge fosters resilience, mindfulness, and sustainable habits for personal growth and community impact.
Course Prerequisites: None
Course Requisites: None
I N T E R N A T I O N A L R E L A T I O N S
Offered at: Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (semester course)
Concepts Include: State Sovereignty, Nationalism, Globalization, Diplomatic Relations, International Security, Economic Development, Global finance, Terrorism, Human rights, Liberalism, Realism, Anarchy.
Overview:
In the International Relations elective, students explore the dynamics of state relations by examining key concepts such as colonization, conflict, and control. This course focuses on the distribution of power, its influence on the formation of borders, and the underlying causes of global conflict. The course also introduces students to foundational theoretical frameworks, including liberalism and realism, and essential analysis tools. These frameworks provide students with the skills to interpret, analyze, and evaluate global events while investigating the role of international organizations in addressing complex global challenges. Assessments include a research essay, test, source analysis, and presentations, enabling students to apply their knowledge and develop critical thinking skills.
Course prerequisites: None
Course requisites: None
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