Social Science
9th Grade
World History Honors / Pre-IB
10th Grade
AP Government / Pre-IB
AP Economics/ Pre-IB
(Each is a semester course)
11th Grade
United States History AP/IB
(History of the Americas - Part I)
12th Grade
Twentieth Century World History IB
(History of the Americas - Part II)
Aims
The aims of Rowland High School's IB History program are to:
1. Promote an appreciation and interest in the study of History.
2. Provide an understanding of the historical past so as to be better able to understand the present.
3. Provide an introduction to historical thinking, sources, and methods.
4. Introduce the fact that history is interpretative and subjective.
5. Promote the fact that the historical method uses evidence to support conclusions
6. Provide an approach to history that is international/global.
7. Encourage cultural empathy for groups in different times and places.
8. Emphasize an ability to communicate historical knowledge and understanding.
Objectives
The objectives of Rowland High School's IB History program are that students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate by oral and written activities their knowledge and understanding of historical events and documents.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of historical research skills.
3. Effectively analyze and interpret primary and secondary source documents.
4. Analyze the role and interaction of political, economic, military, and cultural forces in history.
5. Develop and support original arguments and ideas.
6. Effectively use the critical thinking skills of analysis, evaluation, comparison and contrast, cause and effect, and interpretation in learning history.
7. Write clear, concise, and coherent essays.
History Of The Americas
Twentieth World History Topics
The first year will cover the time from America's colonization to the present day. This course will also introduce students to a comparative regional study of some events and developments that occurred prior to the twentieth century in the United States, Latin America and Canada. It will focus on the political, diplomatic, intellectual, social, cultural, economic, geographical, and military influences that have shaped American history, its people, and institutions. Extensive use of primary and secondary source materials as well as historiography will allow students to trace America's development; its government, people, its impact on others, and its way of life.
The second year will incorporate IB-prescribed subjects: The USSR Under Stalin, 1924 - 1941, and The Emergence and Development of the People's Republic of China, 1946 - 1964. In addition, the following three IB 20th Century World History theme topics will be integrated into a regional and international study of major events, ideologies, and personalities:
(1) Causes, practices, and effects of war;
(2) Nationalist and independence movements, decolonization and challenges facing new states; and
(3) the rise and rule of single-party states.
This course will build upon the information and skills that candidates acquired and utilized in their previous history courses. An emphasis will be placed on a comparative analysis and understanding of the roles, actions, and influences of the countries and leaders in relation to 20th century world events.
Assessment
Class Assessment
Grades in both courses will be based on the criteria established by IB. The criteria emphasized will be centered a students comprehension, analysis, evaluation, application, and synthesis of a variety of types of information data, and historical evidence. Various types of assessment will be used in the courses. These include, but are not limited to, essays, multiple choice questions, document based questions using primary and secondary sources, class presentations, homework, participation, and the internal assessment.
HL Assessment Outline
External Assessment
Paper 1 20% 1 hr.
Paper 2 25% 1 hr. 30 min.
Paper 3 35% 2 hr. 30 min.
Internal Assessment
External Assessment
The External Assessment for students in History will consist of three papers.
Paper 1 will be a document based question on one of the prescribed 20th Century World History. Students will choose one prescribed subject and answer the questions pertaining to it.
Paper 2 will ask candidates to write two essays, each from a different topic based on the 20th Century World History theme topics.
Paper 3 will ask that candidates answer any 3 questions out of 25 dealing with the History of the Americas. In each of these papers candidates will be expected to demonstrate an awareness of historical perspective while providing specific details and support for their arguments.
Internal Assessment
The IB Internal Assessment will count for 20% of your IB Exam score. It will be graded by the instructor and externally moderated by IB. The work will graded on a student's historical explanation and understanding, analysis and evaluation of sources and evidence, adherence to the word limit, and the use of references and bibliography. All candidates will receive a copy of IB's Internal Assessment details at the beginning of the junior year.
The Internal Assessment will be an in-depth study of any historical subject. The student should choose a topic he or she is interested in, curious to learning about, and able to research.
The topic must be approved by the instructor
The maximum word limit for a written work is 2000 words. This does not include supplementary information such as a content page, references, bibliography, and appendices.
For a list of all rules and requirements see the handout on IB Internal Assessment Details.
The History Internal Assessment will be assigned during the student's junior year. The candidates will have had a semester to become familiar with the historical method and will have had time to develop ideas about the topic and type of project they wish to study.
Timeline For Internal Assessment
September: Candidates given information on internal assessment criteria
October-December: Candidates develop list of possible topics and investigate availability of sources. Define, develop questions, and narrow topic. Think of and develop a possible thesis.
February: Candidate identifies area and topic for research. Original thesis for area of research. Candidate given final approval by instructor.
March: List of multiple sources and research materials.
April: Outline due: thesis and main points
May: Rough draft.
June: Final draft due. (3 copies)