2013 lhs course selection guide - Longview Independent School ...

Individuals and Societies
Longview High School offers Individuals and
Societies - History of the Americas as an
International Baccalaureate group 3 subject. The
aim of the history program is to explain trends and
developments, continuity and change through time
and through individual events. The course is
concerned with individuals and societies in the
widest context: political, social economic, religious,
technological and cultural. An emphasis is placed
on "History of Americas" and helps to foster respect
and understanding of people and events in cultures
different from their own.
Longview High School offers Psychology as a
group 3 subject elective. The aim of the psychology
program offers the opportunity to focus on
individuals and societies in the context of a social
science. Summer requirements for IB Courses will
be posted on the LHS website: www.lisd.org/lhs
International Scholars and International
Baccalaureate students are responsible for the
posted summer assignments. Summer
assignments for the International Baccalaureate
Diploma Programme courses are aligned to course
requirements and are designed to prepare the
student for those required course elements.
History
World Geography (International Scholars) 9 1
Prerequisite: IB Admission
World Geography is a study of the earth’s physical
and human features and their relationship to human
societies. Students will study the earth’s surface
and the processes that shape it, the relationships
between people and environments, and the
connections between people and places. The
course is intended to help students understand the
nature of their world and their place in it.
World History (International Scholars) 10 1
Prerequisite: IB Admission
International Scholars World History is an
introduction to global history with an emphasis on
the development of ideas and events that shaped
the Twentieth Century. Through group work and
individual projects students will complete in-depth
research on a variety of historical topics. Students
will also develop academic skills in preparation for
the advanced IB History of the Americas and
Twentieth Century World Topics classes.
History of the Americas I (IB) 11 1
Prerequisite: IB Admission
IB U.S. History is the first year of a two-year
program in history. The course covers U.S.
History and government from 1492 to the present,
as well as aspects of Canadian and Latin
American History.
Group 3
Students must possess extended research and
writing skills and the ability to engage in critical
analysis of common themes in the history of
mankind. The course places heavy emphasis on
writing and independent reading. The essential
elements of U.S. History (AP) are covered in the
context of the IB course. Students may sit for the
AP Test in May in addition to the HL IB exam after
completing senior level World Topics.
History of Americas II (IB) 12 1
Prerequisite: History of the Americas I (IB)
This course is the second year complement to the
U.S. History class, completing a two year
curriculum in advanced historical studies including
economics. The focus of the course is on four main
thematic topics in 20th Century World History,
examined from an international, rather than
exclusively American perspective. Participants in
this course will engage in extensive reading and
critical writing assignments, a variety of group and
individual extended projects and an Internal
Assessment component requiring intensive
research on a select related historical subject.
Course content explores the various components of
historical study, including economic and political
systems, international relations, war and its
consequences, culminating in the external IB
examination in the Spring semester.
Psychology I (IB) 11-12 1
Prerequisite: IB Admission
This course is designed to meet the requirements
for Standard Level International Baccalaureate
Psychology. The course will focus on the
systematic study of human behavior, and entails
study of various methods of data collection,
statistical analysis, and psychological theory.
Importance will be placed on the biological,
cognitive and learning perspectives. Heavy
emphasis will be placed on writing, critical
evaluation, and independent reading. Students will
be required to complete an internally assessed
research study.
Psychology II (IB) 11-12 1
Prerequisite: Psychology I (IB)
This course is designed to meet the requirements
for Higher Level International Baccalaureate
Psychology. Studies from Psychology I will be
expanded to explore additional psychological
theories, perspectives and research methodology
techniques. Strong reading, writing and evaluation
skills will enable students' success in Psychology II.
Students will be required to complete an internally
assessed research study.
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