Courses


NEHS International Baccalaureate Course Descriptions



IB English Literature

Students appreciate the artistry of literature around the world and develop as readers and thinkers with an emphasis on the ability to reflect critically on the texts studied. Literature studies include works in translation and a variety of forms including novels, poetry, drama, non-fiction, and the graphic novel. Students focus on literary analysis, both in written and oral forms, while exploring a broad range of literary texts for written assessment and presentation. The course explores the intersection between three main themes: the relationships between readers, writers and texts, the range and functions of texts across geographical space and historical time, and aspects of intertextuality.


What is unique about this class? The focus on international literature. Currently we read texts written by authors from Ancient Greece, Colombia, Norway, Russia, the United States, Ireland, South Africa, Egypt, and more.


IB Students Say … Students are not restricted to the one answer that is expected of them, but are instead encouraged to create their own problems and find their own answers. The class highlights discussion as well; students bounce ideas off of each other and explore the different perspectives found in both the literature and in each other.

(DP students must take this course)


IB History 

This course is 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. The aim of  this course is to help students be able to recognize the impact of continuity and change through individual  events. 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. Through  developing an understanding of the past, students will have a deeper understanding of the nature of  humans and of the world today.


IB Students Say … The class is especially unique when considering the perspectives integrated into the learning process. Students are not limited to a single story, but are instead encouraged to consider the perspectives of those who are often forgotten in textbooks. An example of this would be the inclusion of the indigenous perspective when learning about American expansion across the North American continent. 

(DP students must take this course)


IB Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations

Prerequisite: Geometry, Algebra 1 & 2

IB Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations is an inquiry based course that encourages learning by experimentation, questioning, and discovery. Over the next two years students will better develop their understanding of the methodology and practice of the discipline of mathematics through the process of mathematical inquiry, mathematical modeling and applications, and the use of technology. In the IB classroom, students generally learn mathematics by being active participants in learning activities rather than simply being recipients of instruction. Ultimately, students who successfully complete this course will be prepared for the world of higher-level (i.e. college-level) mathematics. 


What is unique about this class? Students learn real world applications of many different types of math, and learn to justify their answers, rather than just performing calculations.  

(DP students must take this course)


Language Acquisition – Language B

Options: Spanish, French, Italian, Chinese

The main focus of the course is on language acquisition and development in the four primary language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. These language skills are developed through the study and use of a range of written and spoken material. Such material will extend from everyday oral exchanges to literary texts, and are related to the culture. The material is chosen to enable students to develop mastery of language skills. The general aims of the World language curricula are to help students develop:


What is unique about these classes? IB languages go beyond vocabulary and grammar. The focus on culture and understanding people helps prepare students to handle themselves well and navigate complex situations as speakers of a second language. 

(DP students must take a language course)


Science Courses

These courses are one year courses. They run during the same class period, but students can take both if they take one junior year (year 1) and one senior year (year 2). Diploma students must take one science course.


IB Environmental Systems and Societies

IB Environmental Systems and Societies is designed to provide students with a coherent perspective of the interrelationships between environmental systems and societies; students evaluate and analyze their own relationship with their environment and the significance of choices and decisions that they make in their own lives. The course approach prepares students to evaluate the scientific, ethical, and socio-political aspects of issues, and provides students with a body of knowledge, methodologies, and skills that can be used in the analysis of environmental issues at local and global levels.


What is unique about this class? ESS students get a chance to exercise the skills they learn in the classroom in a practical environment. This year, the class has visited Pennypack Park to test the PH level of the water, and to examine the effects of pollution on insects native to the park.  


IB Chemistry

Prerequisite: Chemistry Honors

IB Chemistry offers extensive laboratory experiences while exploring the materials of our environment, their properties, and the ways in which they react with each other. Topics include stoichiometry, atomic theory, periodicity, bonding, states of matter, energetics, kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases, oxidation and reduction, organic chemistry, and optional studies selected from a prescribed list. In the second year, students combine academic study with the acquisition of practical and investigational skills through the experimental approach. Students learn the chemical principles that underpin both the physical environment and biological systems through the advanced study of quantitative chemistry, periodicity, and kinetics.


What is unique about this class? Independent Lab work in which students choose and conduct their own experiments is a unique feature of this class. IB Chemistry also includes a number of higher level topics, such as organic chemistry. 


Electives 

Diploma students must choose one of the following courses. Certificate students can only take one of these courses as the classes run during the same class period. 


IB Social and Cultural Anthropology

IB Social and Cultural Anthropology is the comparative study of culture and human societies. Anthropologists seek an understanding of humankind in all its diversity. This understanding is reached through the study of cultures and societies and the exploration of the general principles of social and cultural life. Students will evaluate comparative perspectives that challenge cultural assumptions and issues associated with the complexity of modern societies, in local, regional, and global contexts. Topics of anthropological inquiry include social change, kinship, symbolism, exchange, belief systems, ethnicity, and power relations.  Anthropologists study how culture is learned, shared and impacts our lives from what we eat, who we marry, what we find desirable, who we consider our family, and how we see the world. IB Social & Cultural Anthropology seeks to develop within the student an understanding of humankind and value of its diversity. In addition, this course affords students the opportunity to become familiarized with anthropological perspectives and terminology.


IB Students Say … As humans, we often automatically mark things off as foreign when they are different, but to other cultures it is only natural. Anthropology stands out amongst other classes as we engage with cultures in meaningful ways by directly discussing the way groups of people think, feel, and behave.


IB Psychology

Psychology is defined as the systematic study of behavior and experience. Throughout this course the main question that will be asked time and again is, “How do psychologists think?” Depending on whom you ask, the answer is undoubtedly going to be different. However, most agree that one must learn to “mix” intuition, critical thinking, sound judgment, compassion, and illusion with understanding in order to be successful. Whether students wish to pursue a career related to Psychology or one in an entirely different field, this habit of mind will be of great value, especially since our world is growing ever more interdependent day by day.

Specifically, students will:


IB Students Say…  This course deepens our understanding of Psychology not only on an academic level, but also on a more global and personal level. The coursework allows students to think critically, taking exams that are extremely similar to exams you would take in university. Through this course, we learn to compartmentalize information which sharpens our skills in understanding large amounts of information for not only this course, but all around. 


IB Dance  

The course focuses on the composition, performance, and analysis of dance, or “expressive movement,” which is practiced amongst peoples of various backgrounds, and for a variety of purposes, throughout the world. Students create, participate in, and reflect upon dance forms and styles from a range of cultures and traditions.

 

IB Music

Through the IB Music course, students develop their knowledge and potential as musicians, both personally and collaboratively. Involving aspects of the composition, performance and critical analysis of music, this course exposes students to forms, styles and functions of music from a wide range of historical and socio-cultural contexts. Students create, participate in and reflect upon music from their own background and those of others. They develop practical and communicative skills which provide them with the opportunity to engage in music for further study, as well as for lifetime enjoyment. Students are required to study musical perception, and choose one of three options: creating, solo performing, or group performing.


IB Visual Arts

Visual Arts encourages students to challenge their own creative and cultural expectations and boundaries. In this thought-provoking course, students develop analytical skills in problem solving and divergent thinking, while working towards technical proficiency and confidence as artmakers. 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.


Diploma Core

These courses are only available to diploma students, and are required. They are half credit courses, but must be taken both years. 


Theory of Knowledge

Students first investigate the system of knowledge applied by historians, and then turn to value judgments and knowledge, focusing on moral, political, and aesthetic judgments. The final topic investigates the differences among belief, opinion, faith, knowledge, and truth.


Extended Essay/Creativity, Activity, Service

All candidates for the International Baccalaureate Diploma must submit an extended essay on a topic of their choice in one of the subjects of the IB curriculum. Students are supervised by a teacher qualified to teach the subject of their essays.

DP students must participate in the Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) program to earn the full IB Diploma. CAS motivates and promotes learning by doing, and learning about self and others through collaborative work, opportunities to identify areas of growth, personal reflection and the cultivation of the IB Learner Profile skills.The CAS activities may be extracurricular activities or in the community.