Group I: Language A1 (English) IBHL English is a full two-year course of study in which students complete four distinct sections of on overall syllabus. Parts One and Four of the IBHL syllabus are taught during the junior year while Parts Two and Three are taught during the senior year. The expectations are commensurate with a college introduction to literature course. Each part of the syllabus requires the reading of three or four major works of literature and/or the study of groups of poetry or non-fiction prose. The IBO requires four specific products from the two-year course:
The individual course grade is determined through major exams, reader-response journals, research-based annotated bibliographies, etc. Successful students cultivate an ability to read closely and to command the vocabulary of literary criticism. Group II: Language B (Spanish, German, French, Mandarin, Japanese, Russian, Latin) Students must reach a minimum of the 4th level (advanced) of their language for the SL requirement. Students must reach a minimum of the 6th level (advanced) of their language for the HL requirement. Students will be exposed to a wide variety of authentic texts (written and oral) covering a large range of topics relevant to the specific Language B and its culture. The internal assessment for Language B consists of both an Individual Oral exam and Interactive Activities. The Individual Oral is prepared for and conducted external to the class; the interactive activities may involve preparation outside of class. Some instructors may assign practice Individual Oral activities as part of the course requirements. Competency in listening and speaking on a variety of topics is required. Students will also be evaluated for reading comprehension and writing proficiency. Students should be prepared to spend an additional 5-10 hours per week outside of class time. Group III: Individuals and Societies Economics SL Economics SL is a one year course that studies both microeconomics and macroeconomics concepts. Students will examine a variety of subjects including: market operations, taxes, personal finance issues, the government’s role in the economy, fiscal and monetary policy, world trade, and developing countries. Students must complete a portfolio project throughout the year, consisting of current events as they relate to relevant economic theory. Information
Technology in a Global Society SL Psychology SL is an introductory college level course focusing on all the major areas of general psychology, but more specifically in the areas of biology, cognition, and learning (or behavior). This is a rigorous course involving the student in reading, writing, research, and hands-on labs. Students are required to write a real experimental paper, replicating a psychological study focusing on ethics and quantitative research methods. This course is designed to fulfill the first year requirements of the Psychology HL course. Psychology HL Psychology HL focuses on the biological, cognitive, learning, and humanistic perspectives. This is a rigorous course involving the student in reading, writing, research, and hands-on labs. Students will conduct an original, experimental, psychological study focusing on ethics and both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Students taking this class should prepare for homework of about thirty minutes average every day of the week. World History SL World History SL focuses on global history during the twentieth century, examining three prescribed IB subjects in depth, as well as 5 prescribed IB topics and 5 geographic areas. The course includes reading, writing exercises, regular tests and a prescribed research paper known as an “historical investigation”. Skills such as writing, reading for comprehension, critical analysis, subject knowledge and synthesis are emphasized. This course is designed to fulfill the first year requirement for the World History HL courses (History of Africa, Europe or East Asia). Students should expect to spend a minimum of two hours a week on reading and writing for this course; demands will increase when major projects are due. World History HL Students will select a region of the world to study during the second year of the History HL course. History HL requires critical thinking skills, extensive research and in-depth study of the selected topics. Essay and paper writing make up a significant part of the class work and grade. Students are required to complete an “historical investigation” as a requirement for IB.
Group
IV: Experimental Sciences Chemistry SL Chemistry SL is a college-preparatory, lab-based, survey course in inorganic chemistry. This course moves at a faster pace than the traditional Chemistry I course, and topics are covered in greater depth. A student should be well-grounded in math, particularly in Algebra I. Concurrent enrollment in Algebra II or higher is desirable. There will be daily homework and lab reports about every other week. The internal assessment for this course is based on the lab reports written throughout the year. Expected time investment outside of class is 2-4 hours per week. Some extra tutoring sessions will be needed in the spring to prepare for the SL exam. Students will also be required to take part in a Group IV science project lasting 10 hours. This course is designed to fulfill the first year requirements of the Chemistry HL course. Chemistry HL Chemistry HL is a college level, lab-based, survey course in inorganic chemistry, plus a synopsis of organic chemistry. Algebra II is the minimum math prerequisite, with higher math background desirable. There will be daily homework and lab reports written in a bound lab notebook about every third week. Expected time investment is 4-5 hours per week outside of class. Some extra tutoring sessions will be needed in the spring to prepare for the exam. Physics SL Physics
SL covers mechanics, heat, electromagnetism, waves, optics and
modern physics. This course will develop and enhance Algebra and
Trigonometry learned in math classes, but it does not assume skills
beyond Algebra II. A willingness to work outside of class time
and beyond assignments is the best route to success. This can
include reviewing problems, attending extra study sessions, and
forming study groups. The internal assessment for this course is
based on lab reports written throughout the year. The lab reports
will be kept by the student and submitted in a portfolio in the
spring for assessment. Students will also be required to take
part in a Group IV science project lasting 10 hours. This course
is designed to fulfill the first year requirements of the Physics
HL course. Group V: Math Math Studies SL (similar to Pre-Calculus) This course is open to any student who has successfully completed Geometry and Algebra II with a "C" or better and has the recommendation from his/her Algebra II teacher. The course covers a broad spectrum of topics but with an emphasis upon practical application of advanced mathematical concepts instead of their theoretical justifications. The course makes extensive use of calculator technology (TI-83 Plus calculators will be issued to any student who does not already own a calculator). The distinguishing feature of this course is the “Math Studies Project”, a nearly year-long effort in which students formulate an hypothesis, gather data, analyze the results, organize and report the findings in a detailed report with graphics that illustrates understanding of the underlying mathematical concepts, and evaluate the statistical validity of the study. Since the course is designed to "fill in" the academic holes that some students may have in their math backgrounds, it is also a good preparatory course for those students planning to take Mathematics SL/Calculus AB. It presents material that will appear on the Math Methods exam, much of which is not covered in the traditional Pre-Calculus class. The course is also great preparation for the ACT and SAT exams. Mathematics SL/Calculus AB (formerly called Math Methods SL) This course will cover the basic concepts of limits, differential, and integral calculus. It is important for students to have a firm background in Algebra with emphasis on rational functions, solving systems of equations, writing equations of lines, and radical equations. Students also need to have a working knowledge of trigonometric functions. Students will develop a portfolio that consists of three out of class assignments that will take 1-3 hours per assignment. Students must keep up with all assignments; the material requires a continual amount of work to understand. Mathematics HL (Calculus BC) This
course takes up where Calculus AB/IBSL leaves off. Topics that
are covered include all Calculus AB/IBSL topics, with trigonometric
integrals having a greater emphasis, along with series and partial
fraction decomposition. The skills necessary for this course include
a strong working knowledge of Calculus AB/IBSL. A portfolio assignment
is required for this class as well. Studio Art SL This course is an individual exploration by the student artist. Studio projects comprise 70% of the work, and the remaining 30% is research workbook. The studio projects are done predominantly in class; however, the student is expected to work at home to some degree as well. Initially, the student will work on assigned projects, and then the student will choose his/her own projects. The research workbook will be done entirely outside of the classroom. It includes planning and reflection on the student’s own creative process as well as extensive examination and critiques of the work of other artists. The course is designed to fulfill the requirements of the first year of the Portfolio Art HL course. Portfolio Art HL This course is a continuation and further development of the creative and evaluative processes that developed during the first year of the program. Students must produce enough artwork to form a portfolio, which is then evaluated by an outside examiner. The research workbook is also assessed. The time commitment varies according to the student’s level of expertise and the scope of the individual works. Music SL/HL IB Music may be taken as either SL or HL (two years). It has two disciplines: composition and performance. In the SL course, the student may choose either composition or performance. In the HL course, the student is required to do both composition and performance. In the performance discipline, the student prepares a recital of art music for performance, and this recital is taped for evaluation. The composition discipline requires a recital of compositions by the student, but performed by anyone the student chooses. Theater Arts SL/HL Students will understand theater by making it as well as by studying it. They will study theater not only with their minds but with their senses, their bodies, and their emotions. Students will also gain knowledge of the major developments and techniques in the theatrical history of more than one culture. In class, they will learn how to analyze and interpret manuscripts for the stage, understand the art of performance and design, learn to perform in front of an audience, learn the art of criticism in relation to theatrical productions, learn at least one technical skill, and understand the production process. There are three major projects that are required:
Students are expected to participate in at least two productions outside of the school day. These productions usually last about 8 weeks and require the student to spent time outside of school in memorization or design. The students are also expected to attend outside theatrical events and critique what they have seen. Computer Science SL Computer Science HL This course is a continuation of Computer Science SL. A successful student will be highly motivated in pursuing the abstract topics covered in this course. Advanced topics include: Computer Mathematics and logic, number systems and representations, Boolean logic, abstract data structures and algorithms, operating systems, network fundamentals and file organization. A completed program dossier is required in this course. Although a computer at home is not necessary, it is extremely helpful. The successful student is motivated to complete assignments at home, recognize troublesome concepts and seek help when necessary. The computer science lab is open most morning before school. Students enrolled in CS HL must have completed Geometry with a B average and Computer Science SL with a B average. Theory of Knowledge This course meets during 8th hour, one day a week. Attendance is absolutely essential; if more than one day is missed per semester, the course grade will drop by one grade level. Students are expected to participate in class discussions and activities; failure to do so may result in loss of grade.
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