Group 3

Individuals and Societies

Within the Individuals and Societies group (also known as "Humanities" at Uplands), we offer the following four subjects:

Economics

Economics is an exciting, dynamic subject that allows students to develop an understanding of the complexities and interdependence of economic activities in a rapidly changing world.

At the heart of economic theory is the problem of scarcity. While the world’s population has unlimited needs and wants, there are limited resources to satisfy these needs and wants. As a result of this scarcity, choices have to be made. The economics course, at both SL and HL, uses economic theories to examine the ways in which these choices are made:

• at the level of producers and consumers in individual markets (microeconomics)

• at the level of the government and the national economy (macroeconomics)

• at an international level where countries are becoming increasingly interdependent through international trade and the movement of labour and capital (the global economy).

The choices made by economic agents (consumers, producers and governments) generate positive and negative outcomes and these outcomes affect the relative well-being of individuals and societies. As a social science, economics examines these choices through the use of models and theories. The Diploma Programme (DP) economics course allows students to explore these models and theories, and apply them,using empirical data, through the examination of the following six real-world issues which are posed as economic questions:

• How do consumers and producers make choices in trying to meet their economic objectives?

• When are markets unable to satisfy important economic objectives—and does government intervention help?

• Why does economic activity vary over time and why does this matter?

• How do governments manage their economy and how effective are their policies?

• Who are the winners and losers of the integration of the world’s economies?

• Why is economic development uneven?

Geography

Geography is a dynamic subject that is firmly grounded in the real world and focuses on the interactions between individuals, societies, and physical processes in both time and space. It seeks to identify trends and patterns in these interactions. It also investigates the way in which people adapt and respond to change, and evaluates actual and possible management strategies associated with such change. Geography describes and helps to explain the similarities and differences between different places. These may be defined on a variety of scales and from the perspectives of a different range of actors, with varying powers over decision-making processes.

Within individuals and societies subjects, geography is distinctive in its spatial dimension and occupies a middle ground between social or human sciences and natural sciences. The Diploma Programme geography course integrates physical, environmental, and human geography, and ensures that students acquire elements of both socio-economic and scientific methodologies. Geography takes advantage of its position to examine relevant concepts and ideas from a wide variety of disciplines. This helps students develop life skills and have an appreciation of, and a respect for, alternative approaches, viewpoints and ideas.

Topics Covered (may change depending on teachers' areas of expertise):

Paper 1 (SL + HL): Geographic Themes

Paper 2 (SL + HL): Geographic Perspectives - Global Change

Paper 3 (HL only): Geographic perspectives - global interactions

Internal Assessment (SL + HL): Fieldwork

History

History is a dynamic, contested, evidence-based, exploratory subject that fosters a sense of inquiry. It is also an interpretive discipline, allowing opportunity for engagement with multiple perspectives and a plurality of opinions. Studying history develops an understanding of the past, which leads to a deeper understanding of the nature of humans and of the world today.

The IB Diploma Programme (DP) history course is a world history course based on a comparative and multiperspective 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 gain factual knowledge. It puts a premium on developing the skills of critical thinking, and on developing an understanding of multiple interpretations of history.

Topics Covered (may change depending on teachers' areas of expertise):

Paper 1 (SL + HL): Rights and Protest

Paper 2 (SL + HL): World History Topics (20th century)

Paper 3 (HL only): Asia and Oceania

Internal Assessment (SL + HL): Historical Investigation

Psychology

Psychology is the rigorous and systematic study of mental processes and behaviour. This subject 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.

Approaches to understanding behaviour

At the core of the DP psychology course is an introduction to three different approaches to understanding behaviour:

The knowledge, concepts, theories and research that have developed the understanding in these fields will be studied and critically evaluated to answer some of the questions being asked by psychologists today. Furthermore, the interaction of these approaches to studying psychology will form the basis of a holistic and integrated approach to understanding mental processes and behaviour as a complex, dynamic phenomenon, allowing students to appreciate the diversity as well as the commonality between their own behaviour and that of others.  The contribution and the interaction of the three approaches can be best understood through the options.

The Options

Students will study two of the four options (listed below) - depending on the Teacher's area of expertise:

The options provide an opportunity to take what is learned from the study of the approaches to psychology and put it into the context of specific lines of inquiry, broaden students’ experience of the discipline and develop the students’ critical inquiry skills.

Research Methodologies and Ethics

Surrounding the approaches and the options are the overarching themes of research and ethics. A consideration of both is paramount to the nature of the subject.

Psychologists employ a range of research methods, both qualitative and quantitative, in order to test their observations and hypotheses. As a part of the core syllabus, DP psychology promotes an understanding of the various approaches to research and how they have been used in order to critically reflect on the evidence as well as assist in the design, implementation, analysis and evaluation of the students’ own investigations.   

Psychology studies human beings and as such it is paramount that the ethical implications in any line of investigation, and at all points in the course, are fully explored and understood to ensure that ethical guidelines are followed at all times.

Distinction between SL and HL

There are three main distinctions between this course at SL and at HL.

This differentiation is reflected in paper 1 section B of the external assessment.

Additionally, HL students will be directly assessed on their understanding of approaches to research in paper 3 of the external assessment. This will cover both qualitative and quantitative research methods.