Business & Management (HL and SL)
The Business and Management SL course aims to help students understand the implications of business activity in a global market. It is designed to give students an international perspective on business and to promote their appreciation of cultural diversity in the business environment. The ideals of international cooperation and responsible citizenship are at the heart of the course, which encourages the appreciation of ethical concerns and issues of social responsibility in the global business environment. Students should be able to make sense of the forces and circumstances that drive and restrain change in an interdependent and multicultural world. The course will contribute to students’ development as critical and effective participants in local and world affairs.
Economics (HL and SL)
Economics is a dynamic social science, forming part of the study of individuals and societies. The study of economics has many facets, and this is reflected in the broad scope of SL and HL courses. At its core, economics is concerned with the concept of scarcity and problems of resource allocation. Students will analyze how markets function and the ways in which market factors and government policies influence unemployment, inflation and economic growth. They will also consider economic theory in the contexts of microeconomics, macroeconomics, international and developmental economics. The scientific approach characterizes the standard methodology of economics, featuring a progression from problem identification, through hypothesis formulation and testing, and arriving finally at a conclusion. The HL course in economics differs from the SL course in terms of the hours devoted to teaching (240 hours for HL compared to 150 hours for SL) and the extra depth and breadth of study required for HL through the inclusion of “extension topics.” These courses also differ with regard to the number of external assessment components (three examination papers for HL, two examination papers for SL) and the weighting of the examination questions.
Information Technology in a Global Society (HL and SL)
This course involves the study and evaluation of the impact of information technology (IT) on individuals and society. The course explores the advantages and disadvantages of “digital culture” and provides a framework for the student to make informed judgements and decisions about the use of IT within contemporary social contexts. ITGS offers students an opportunity for systematic study of a range of technological, social and ethical issues which fall outside the scope of any single discipline. The course develops students’ understanding of the capabilities of current and emerging IT systems and the impact of these systems on a range of stakeholders. Students are encouraged to apply their knowledge of existing IT systems to various scenarios and to make informed judgements about the effects of IT developments on these scenarios. Furthermore, students are required to use their knowledge of IT systems and practical IT skills to justify IT solutions for a specified client or end-user. In higher level, students study two extension topics: “IT systems in organizations” and “robotics, artificial intelligence and expert systems.” The course has an additional externally assessed component that comprises a previously seen case study based on a fictitious organization; this allows students to research various aspects of the subject, which may include new technical concepts and additional subject content, in greater depth.
Philosophy SL
The emphasis of the IB Philosophy course is very much on doing philosophy. Students develop their skills through the study of philosophical themes and the close reading of philosophical texts. They also learn to apply their philosophical knowledge and skills to real-life examples or situations and how non-philosophical material can be treated in a philosophical way. Philosophical questions are explored through an examination of themes and texts. Students learn through tools, such as critical and systematic thinking, careful analysis and evaluation, and construction of arguments. Students are challenged to develop their own philosophical voice and independence of thought. IB Philosophy aims to bring the subject of philosophy alive, gaining a sense of its richness and practical value in daily life and expanding our appreciation of ourselves and the world around us. It teaches us not what to think, but how to think. By participating in the great philosophical debates, students will develop their skills of rigorous reasoning; by study, analysis and criticism of the great works of philosophy, ancient and modern, students will develop their capacity to make reasoned judgments for themselves.
