Individuals and Societies

Individuals and Societies

Individuals and Societies

We aim to equip students with a broad set of skills and knowledge to understand, thrive in and shape an increasingly interconnected world. The units in this course aim to:

  • Foster an understanding of the development of human society over time and its impact on the environment
  • Deepen students’ understanding of the world through a process of inquiry supported by primary and secondary sources, graphics, maps and statistics
  • Develop a sense of responsibility for the self, community and the world by exploring past and contemporary issues
  • Enable students to show their learning through writing and reading tasks,  individual and group work, oral presentations, and multimedia projects

At YIS, the study of Individuals and Societies gives students the chance to examine their personal identities while also developing an understanding of how to be responsible members of local and global communities. We encourage students to consider various perspectives as they develop empathy and international-mindedness.
 

Grade 6
In Grade 6, students explore the concept of change and adaptation by inquiring into how species adapt to challenges in the environment. They use focus questions when reading for information, and generating clear notes. Students focus on the concept of perspective where they inquire into the different perspectives on a debated issue. Through an interdisciplinary unit,  students study the concept of sustainability by learning about water issues and possible solutions to threats to our fresh water sources through an interdisciplinary unit. Students practise their inquiry and research skills by deep diving into the concept of change where they identify an issue that needs change either in the local or global community, and identify ways actions can be taken. Key research skills are introduced throughout the year, with choice and independence through inquiry.

Grade 7
Students inquire into local contexts and communities and understand how history, economy, geography and culture shape a place’s identity.   We also  explore issues and impacts of inequality around the world by reading from a choice of novels, as well as doing formal research using questions generated from their readings.  Students increase their awareness of different social injustice issues.  Concepts such as change are looked at as students analyze the conditions that cause revolutions and change in societies, as well as their potential positive and negative effects.  Finally, students explore what it takes to make a sustainable, positive change in different contexts. Key research skills include making research questions, independence in note-taking and effective searching.

Grade 8
Students continue an inquiry-based approach to deepen their understanding of the world, human behaviour and how the choices we have today were shaped by the past.  Emphasis is placed on developing skills critical to the humanities: communication, critical thinking, investigation and evaluation of methods and sources. Students are introduced to the claim testers utilized in the process of knowledge creation, evaluating the  reliability of different claim testers through exploring questions such as “How do people change their minds?” and “How do theories evolve?.”  Through exploring events from their family’s past, early humans and past agricultural civilizations, concepts such as perspectives, change, collective learning and innovation will be explored providing students the context to build their knowledge and understanding of human society and the individual’s place within it.  Methodology in the humanities is explored through such disciplines as history, anthropology and archaeology.