Diploma Course Descriptions

English A: Literature Higher Level*

All students are required to take English Literature as a two year, higher level course. This course focuses on critical reading of world literature. Students learn to connect the texts to global issues, and use specific concepts to analyze the author’s choices. Students will read a variety of works including poetry, drama, memoirs, short stories, and novels from English language authors as well as works in translation for a total of 13 texts over two years.

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT: Students will participate in an individual oral commentary in their senior year. EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT: Students will write a 1,500 word essay about one work studied in the first year. PAPER 1: Guided textual analysis on two passages (non-comparative). PAPER 2: Comparative essay of two works studied during the two year course.

Students study works by Emily Dickinson, James Baldwin, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Dante Alighieri, Sophocles, and Albert Camus, among others.

*Both years of English A are graduation requirements

Language Acquisition: French, German, Mandarin, or Spanish Standard Level or Higher Level

Language B "is designed for students with some previous experience of the language. In the language B course, students further develop their ability to communicate in the target language through the study of language, themes and texts. In doing so, they also develop conceptual understandings of how language works, as appropriate to the level of the course. Students describe situations, narrate events, make comparisons, explains problems, and state and support their personal opinions on a variety of topics relating to course content.” (IB Language B guide)

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT: Students participate in an interactive oral commentary in the target language lasting 12-15 minutes. This commentary includes a period of prepared speaking based on a photo/image (for Standard Level) or a literary text studied in class (for Higher Level) followed by spontaneous conversation in the target language.

EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT:

SL Paper 1 (1 hour 15 minutes): 250-400 words from a choice of three, each from a different theme, choosing a text type from the ones listed on the instructions. HL Paper 1 (1 hour 30 minutes): 450-600 words from a choice of three, each from a different theme, choosing a text type from the ones listed on the instructions.

SL Paper 2 (1 hour 45 minutes): Receptive skills - separate sections for listening and answering at the same time. Listening comprehension: Comprehension exercises on three audio passages and three written texts, drawn from all themes. HL Paper 2 (2 hours): Receptive skills - separate sections for listening and answering at the same time. Listening comprehension: Comprehension exercises on three audio passages and three written texts, drawn from all themes

Completion through Level 5 of a world language is a requirement of the Diploma Programme

See video below for an explanation of the Language B course expectations.

Business Management Standard Level+

Business Management is a one year SL course that students can use to meet their Group 1 or Group 6 requirement. "Business management studies business functions, management processes and decision-making in contemporary contexts of strategic uncertainty. It examines how business decisions are influenced by factors internal and external to an organization, and how these decisions impact upon its stakeholders, both internally and externally. Business management also explores how individuals and groups interact within an organization, how they may be successfully managed and how they can ethically optimize the use of resources in a world with increasing scarcity and concern for sustainability." (IBO Subject Guide) The focus of the course at North Meck is around the four functions of global businesses: Marketing, Finance and Accounting, Human Resources, and Operations.

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT: A written commentary of 1500 words based in research of a real business problem faced by a real business.

EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT: PAPER 1: Section A - Students respond to questions about a pre-published case study. Case studies are released in February for preparation. Section B - Students are provided with additional, new stimulus material and respond to one structured question based on the pre-published study and new material. PAPER 2: Section A - A quantitative focus, students respond to a structured question based on stimulus materials. Section B - Students respond to one question based on stimulus material, qualitative focus. Section C - Students provide an extended response based on two concepts discussed during the course.

History of the Americas Higher Level*

"HotA" is a two year course that covers not only history of the US and Latin America but also selected topics in world history. The first year includes comparative studies of independence movements, slavery in the Americas, and civil rights movements in addition to a concentrated study of the US Civil War. Year two includes in depth inquiries into the First World War, Mexico from 1860-1950 with a particular focus on industrialization, the Mexican Revolution and democratization, and South Africa from pre-European colonization through 2000.

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT: A 2000 word historical investigation into any subject in history. The historical investigation should be based on primary and historiographical research.

EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT: PAPER 1: A document based exam on either the US Civil Rights Movement or apartheid in South Africa.

*Year 1 of HotA is a graduation requirement

Psychology Standard Level or Higher Level+

"Psychology is the rigorous and systematic study of mental processes and behaviour. It is a complex subject which draws on concepts, methods and understandings from a number of different disciplines. There is no single approach that would describe or explain mental processes and behaviour on its own as human beings are complex animals, with highly developed frontal lobes, cognitive abilities, involved social structures and cultures. The study of behaviour and mental processes requires a multidisciplinary approach and the use of a variety of research techniques whilst recognising that behaviour is not a static phenomenon, it is adaptive, and as the world, societies and challenges facing societies change, so does behaviour."

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT: Students will perform a psychological experiment and write a 2,200 word report.

EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT: PAPER 1: 3 short answer questions and an essay on the psychological approaches studied in class. PAPER 2: Two essays based on topic options taught in class. PAPER 3 (Higher Level only): Three short answer questions about research methods.

+ Business Management, Global Politics, and Psychology are options to meet students Group 3 or Group 6 subject selection. They are not graduation requirements.

Biology Standard Level or Higher Level

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT: Students complete a self-designed lab or analysis of existing data in 6-12 pages.

EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT: PAPER 1: Students answer 30 (SL) or 40 (HL) multiple choice questions. PAPER 2: Students respond to a combination of short answer and extended response questions based on data sets. PAPER 3: Section A - Students respond to structured questions about experimental skills and techniques, analysis and evaluation. Section B - Students select an option based on topics taught in class and respond to a series of short answer and extended response questions.

Chemistry Standard Level or Higher Level

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT: Students complete a self-designed lab or analysis of existing data in 6-12 pages.

EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT: PAPER 1: Students answer 30 (SL) or 40 (HL) multiple choice questions. PAPER 2: Students respond to a combination of short answer and extended response questions based on data sets. PAPER 3: Section A - Students respond to structured questions about experimental skills and techniques, analysis and evaluation. Section B - Students select an option based on topics taught in class and respond to a series of short answer and extended response questions.

Physics Standard Level or Higher Level

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT: Students complete a self-designed lab or analysis of existing data in 6-12 pages.

EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT: PAPER 1: Students answer 30 (SL) or 40 (HL) multiple choice questions. PAPER 2: Students respond to a combination of short answer and extended response questions based on data sets. PAPER 3: Section A - Students respond to structured questions about experimental skills and techniques, analysis and evaluation. Section B - Students select an option based on topics taught in class and respond to a series of short answer and extended response questions.

Sports Exercise and Health Science Standard Level

“Sports, exercise and health science (SEHS) is an experimental science that combines academic study with the acquisition of practical and investigative skills. It is an applied science course within group 4, with aspects of biological and physical science being studied in the specific context of sports, exercise and health. Moreover, the subject matter goes beyond the traditional science subjects to offer a deeper understanding of the issues related to sports, exercise and health in the 21^st century. Apart from being worthy of study in its own right, SEHS is a good preparation for courses in higher or further education related to sports fitness and health, and serves as useful preparation for employment in sports or leisure industries.” (IBO Subject Guide)

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT: Students complete a self-designed lab or analysis of existing data in 6-12 pages.

EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT: PAPER 1: Students answer 30 multiple choice questions. PAPER 2: Students respond to a combination of short answer and extended response questions. Section A: data based question and short answer questions. Section B: Students choose 1 of the 3 extended-response questions. PAPER 3: Students will answer short answer questions on the 2 option topics covered within the class.

Environmental Systems and Societies Standard Level

"Through the exploration of cause and effect, the course investigates how values interact with choices and actions, resulting in a range of environmental impacts. Students develop an understanding that the connections between environmental systems and societies are diverse, varied and dynamic. The complexity of these interactions challenges those working towards understanding the actions required for effective guardianship of the planet and sustainable and equitable use of shared resources. " (IBO Subject Guide)

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT: The student will design and implement their own investigation of an environmental issue based on a student designed research question. The report can range from 1500-2250 words.

EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT: PAPER 1: Students respond to a case study. PAPER 2: Section A - Short answer questions. Section B - Students respond to two structured essay questions from four options.

Students must take at least ONE Science and can take a second to fulfill their sixth subject requirement.

Math Applications and Interpretation Standard Level

Applications is a two year course that has a strong focus on "real-world" mathematics with an emphasis on statistics and modeling. This course is a good option for students who do not want to pursue careers in higher level mathematics and theoretical physics.

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT: Individual exploration of an area of math resulting in a written report of 12-20 pages in length including student created mathematical communication.

EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT: PAPER 1: A combination of short and extended response questions about all topics studied in the course. PAPER 2: A combination of short and extended response questions about all topics studied in the course.

Math Analysis and Approaches Standard Level

Analysis is a two year course that has a strong focus on advanced algebraic methods and mathematical thinking. This course is intended for students who wish to pursue studies in mathematics or physics at college or subjects that have a large mathematical content; it is for students who enjoy developing mathematical arguments, problem solving and exploring real and abstract applications, with and without technology.

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT: Individual exploration of an area of math resulting in a written report of 12-20 pages in length including student created mathematical communication.

EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT: PAPER 1: A combination of short and extended response questions about all topics studied in the course. PAPER 2: A combination of short and extended response questions about all topics studied in the course.

Students are required to complete two years of either Analysis or Applications to be a Diploma Programme student.

Visual Arts Standard Level and Higher Level

"The IB Diploma Programme visual arts course encourages students to challenge their own creative and cultural expectations and boundaries. It is a thought-provoking course in which students develop analytical skills in problem-solving and divergent thinking, while working towards technical proficiency and confidence as art-makers. In addition to exploring and comparing visual arts from different perspectives and in different contexts, students are expected to engage in, experiment with and critically reflect upon a wide range of contemporary practices and media. The course is designed for students who want to go on to study visual arts in higher education as well as for those who are seeking lifelong enrichment through visual arts." (IBO Subject Guide)

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT: Students submit 4-11 works (depending on course level) for exhibition. Students write an exhibition text for each work and a curatorial response of up to 700 words. These works are exhibited to the public in the Spring of the student's senior year.

EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT: COMPARATIVE STUDY: Students submit 10-15 screens to compare at least three works of art by at least two artists then analyse the extent to which their own work was influenced by the artists studied. PROCESS PORTFOLIO: Students submit up to 25 screens of their own artwork that represents their evolution as an artist over the two years of Diploma Programme Visual Arts.

Visual Arts is an optional course, if students have not undertaken a study of Visual Arts in grades 9 and 10, they can replace Visual Arts with a second subject from Groups 2, 3, or 4.