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Environmental systems and societies (ESS) is an interdisciplinary course, encompassing both the sciences and individuals and societies and is offered at both standard level (SL) and higher level (HL). As such, ESS combines a mixture of methodologies, techniques and knowledge associated with both the sciences and individuals and societies.
ESS is both a complex and contemporary course that engages students in the challenges of 21st century environmental issues. Consequently, it requires its students to develop a diverse set of skills, knowledge and understanding from different disciplines. Students develop a scientific approach through explorations of environmental systems. They also acquire understandings and methods from individuals and societies subjects whilst studying sustainability issues within social, cultural, economic, political, and ethical contexts. The interdisciplinary nature of the course means students produce a synthesis of understanding from the various topics studied. It also emphasizes the ability to perform research and investigations and to participate in philosophical, ethical, and pragmatic discussions of the issues involved from the local through to the global level.
environmental-systems-and-societies-subject-brief-en.pdfESS aims to empower and equip students to:
develop understanding of their own environmental impact, in the broader context of the impact of humanity on the Earth and its biosphere
develop knowledge of diverse perspectives to address issues of sustainability
engage and evaluate the tensions around environmental issues using critical thinking
develop a systems approach that provides a holistic lens for the exploration of environmental issues
be inspired to engage in environmental issues across local and global contexts.
Because of the interdisciplinary nature of the subject, students can choose to study ESS to count as either a sciences or individuals and societies course, or as both. In this latter option, students have the opportunity to study an additional subject from any other subject group, including the sciences and individuals and societies subjects.
The ESS course engages students and teachers with a conceptual approach. All students are encouraged to integrate the three key concepts of perspectives, systems and sustainability throughout the course. These concepts are given special focus within the foundation’s unit.
Students at SL and HL share the following:
the study of a concept-based syllabus
a course which promotes holistic thinking about environmental issues and their solutions
a foundations unit which introduces and explores the three concepts: perspectives, systems and sustainability
one piece of internally assessed work, the internal assessment (IA)
the collaborative sciences project.
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