- Course Registration Guide
Course Descriptions
2023/24
Social Studies 9
(Grade 9; Full Year; 1.0 credit)
The focus of this course is to develop critical thinking skills through the examination of different areas within the humanities. Throughout the course, students study elements of history, geography, government and economics all while developing research, comprehension and communication skills. The key historical themes of Power and Authority, Religious and Ethical Systems, Revolutions, the Environment, Cultural Interactions, Science and Technology and Empire Building are covered. Students are taught major events of the 19th and 20th century through a conceptual approach. Concepts such as Power, Significance, Cause, Consequence and Interdependence may be explored and applied through various case studies such as the Industrial Revolution, Imperialism, WW1 and WW2. Students who complete SS9 will have the skills and the conceptual understanding to continue their study of Social Studies in SS10.
Historia 9
(Grade 9; Semester; .5 credit)
The primary content emphasis for this course pertains to the study of Argentine history from independence to the formation and consolidation of the Argentine State in the second half of the 19th century. Students will be exposed to the historical, political, economic, and sociological events which influenced the development of Argentina and the resulting impact on world history. In order to allow students to fully understand the relationship between cause and effect in historical events, they will work in the development of historical thinking skills: chronological reasoning, comparing and contextualizing, crafting historical arguments using historical evidence, and interpreting and synthesizing historical narrative. The subject is taught in Spanish and includes different kind of evaluation (practical work, essays, exams, oral presentations)
Historia 9 SLL
(Grade 9; Semester; .5 credit)
The primary content emphasis for this course pertains to the study of Argentine history from independence to the formation and consolidation of the Argentine State in the second half of the 19th century. Students will be exposed to political, economic, and social events which influenced the formation of Argentina, as well as make connections between local events and global developments. In order to allow students to fully understand the relationship between cause and effect in historical events, they will work in the development of historical thinking skills: chronological reasoning, contextualizing, crafting historical arguments using historical evidence, and interpreting and synthesizing historical narrative. The class is taught online in English, asynchronously, and students are expected to work individually on weekly projects.
Social Studies 10
(Grade 10; Full Year; 1.0 credit)
Year 10 Social Studies continues the work of year 9. It develops critical thinking skills through the examination of different areas within the humanities, including history, geography, government, and economics all while developing research, analysis, critique and communication skills. Students are taught a range of content through a conceptual and skills-based approach. Concepts such as Power, Development, Conflict & Peace, Interdependence, Change, Causation, as well as multi-perspectival narratives are explored and applied through various case studies from 19th & 20th Century history, with a focus on Asia and Europe. The course offers opportunities for the exploration of student interest through personal research projects. Major assessments, which include rigorous research projects, are designed to prepare students with the skills and concepts needed for higher level study, particularly IB Humanities courses.
Historia 10
(Grade 10; Semester; .5 credit)
The subject proposes to walk through a path of reflection on fundamental issues of Argentine History of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st. Through a journey of the political, social, economic and cultural history of Argentina in this period, the main axes will be drawn from which it is hoped to arrive at a global understanding of the historical evolution of the country. With the use of certain conceptual tools, students will be introduced to historical thinking, leading them to develop a critical perspective, in order to facilitate the analysis of the historical processes that will be studied during the subject. Likewise, work and research activities will be carried out that will deepen the proposed study. The development of comparative works with other Latin American historical realities will also be stimulated. The subject is taught in Spanish and includes different kind of evaluation (practical work, essays, exams, oral presentations)
Historia 10 SLL
(Grade 10; Semester; .5 credit)
Historia 10 focuses on fundamental issues of Argentine History of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st, aiming to arrive at a global understanding of the political, social, economic and cultural history of the country. Students will be introduced to historical thinking and led to develop a critical perspective, in order to facilitate the analysis of the historical processes that will be studied during the subject. The class is taught online in English, asynchronously, and students are expected to work individually on weekly research projects.
IB History SL
(Grades 11/12; 2 years; 2.0 credits)
IBDP History studies 20th century historical topics, exploring political, social, economic and cultural developments in the world, with a special focus on the Americas. Beyond simply gaining factual knowledge, the course helps students develop historical research skills and a nuanced understanding of multiple interpretations of history. There are six key concepts focused on in the course: change, continuity, causation, consequence, significance and perspectives. The course emphasizes critical thinking-skills through questioning sources, developing interpretations, and understanding the creation of historical narrative. The ultimate goal of the course is for students to develop a critical understanding of the historical developments that have shaped the world region in which they live.
The Standard Level (SL) course covers the following units:
Rights and Protest (popular movements): The US Civil Rights Movement (1954-1965) and Apartheid Resistance in South Africa (1948-1964)
Themes in World History: focused on a study of 20th century Authoritarian States from the Americas (Castro's Cuba, Perón's Argentina, Pinochet's Chile) and Europe (Stalin's USSR), and the Cold War: Superpower tensions and rivalries.
Inquiry-based historical investigation on a topic of the student’s choice
IB History HL
(Grades 11/12; 2 years; 2.0 credits)
IBDP History studies 20th-21st century historical topics, exploring political, social, economic and cultural developments in the world, with a special focus on the Americas. Beyond simply gaining factual knowledge, the course helps students develop historical research skills and a nuanced understanding of multiple interpretations of history. There are six key concepts focused on in the course: change, continuity, causation, consequence, significance and perspectives. The course emphasizes critical thinking-skills through questioning sources, developing interpretations, and understanding the creation of historical narrative. The ultimate goal of the course is for students to develop a critical understanding of the historical developments that have shaped the world region in which they live. Content-wise, the HL course delves deeper into the History of the Americas than the SL course. While a particular focus will be on the history of Argentina and the United States, case studies will be considered for detailed study on developments in Chile, China, Korea, Vietnam, the USSR/Russia, and Cuba. A consideration of the Cold War will also examine pan-European politics in relation to the Cold War in the latter half of the century. The ultimate goal of the course is for students to develop a critical understanding of the historical developments that have shaped the world region in which they live.
The Higher Level (HL) course covers the following units:
- Inquiry-based historical investigation on a topic of the student’s choice
- Rights and Protest (popular movements): The US Civil Rights Movement (1954-1965) and Apartheid Resistance in South Africa (1948-1964)
- Themes in World History: focused on a study of 20th century Authoritarian States from the Americas (Castro's Cuba, Perón's Argentina, Pinochet's Chile) and Europe (Stalin's USSR), and the Cold War: Superpower tensions and rivalries
- Regional study on the Americas, including: Civil Rights and Social Movements in the Americas (post-1945), the Cold War in the Americas (1945-1981), and Political Developments in Latin America (1945-1980).
IB Economics SL
(Grades 11/12; 2 years; 2.0 credits)
Economics is a dynamic social science. The study of economics is essentially about dealing with scarcity, resource allocation and the methods and processes by which choices are made in the satisfaction of human wants...the IB economics course emphasizes the economic theories of microeconomics, which deal with economic variables affecting individuals, firms and markets, and the economic theories of macroeconomics, which deal with economic variables affecting countries, governments and societies. These economic theories are not studied in a vacuum— rather, they are to be applied to real-world issues. Prominent among these issues are fluctuations in economic activity, international trade, economic development and environmental sustainability. The economics course encourages students to develop international perspectives, fosters a concern for global issues and raises students’ awareness of their own responsibilities at a local, national and international level. The aims of the IBDP Economics course are to enable students to:
- develop an understanding of microeconomic and macroeconomic theories and concepts and their real-world application
- develop an appreciation of the impact on individuals and societies of economic interactions between nations
- develop an awareness of development issues facing nations as they undergo the process of change.
IB Economics HL
(Grades 11/12; 2 years; 2.0 credits)
IB Economics HL contains all of the elements of the SL description above. Both HL and SL have the same internal assessment requirements--3 commentaries (short 3-page papers) that analyze a current event using theory learned in class. The HL course differs from the SL course in that there is more content over the two years, there is more quantitative analysis (calculations), and HL students complete an additional exam (Paper 3) where they are expected to create and justify a policy response to a real-life situation.
IB Global Politics SL
(Grades 11/12; 2 years; 2.0 credits)
The SL Global Politics course explores fundamental political concepts such as power, sovereignty, international relations, human rights, justice, liberty, equality, globalization, economic and political development, sustainability, peace, and conflict in a range of contexts. It allows students to develop an understanding of the local, national, regional, international and global dimensions of political activity and processes, as well as to explore political issues affecting their own lives. The course helps students to understand abstract political concepts by grounding them in real-world examples and case studies. It also invites comparison between such examples and case studies to ensure a more global perspective.
Throughout the course students will consider units in the basics of International Relations, Human Rights, Development and Peace and Conflict studies. While an IB course, this class is designed to be accessible to all kinds of students and those with any interest in political science, especially international relations. The course focuses on developments in the last 10 years, but historical context is also considered.
IB Global Politics HL
(Grades 11/12; 2 years; 2.0 credits)
The HL Global Politics course contains all of the elements of the SL Global Politics course above. In addition, HL students research and present two Global Political Challenges from the six themes of Environment, Poverty, Health, Identity, Borders, and Security through a case study approach. HL students also answer a third question in the Paper 2 examination.
Estudios Culturales 1
(Grade 11; 1 quarter; .25 credits)
Estudios Culturales 1 tries to address the contents of the Geography and Citizen Education subjects of the National program. It is about seeing these contents through the prism of Cultural Studies, that is, we are going to consider geographic spaces and the concept of citizenship from the cultural analysis. For this we will turn to literature, cinema, images (photographs, graffiti, etc.) and the mass media. But let's first define cultural studies as an academic discipline. In the fifties of the 20th century, a group of professors emerged in England who managed to give academic status to a series of practices that they had been developing for a long time. Thus arises Cultural Studies, a discipline that tries to analyze and reflect on culture and the culture produced by the mass media in particular.The proposed perspective is interdisciplinary: literary theory, semiotics, sociology, anthropology, psychoanalysis, history are used. It is necessary to know the fundamentals of each one of them and build a knowledge that brings them together, ´to approach in a reflective way the study of individuals and the cultural practices that they produce and / or consume. The subject is by semesters, is taught in Spanish and includes different kind of evaluation (practical work, essays, oral presentations)
Estudios Culturales 1 SSL
(Grade 11; 1 quarter; .25 credits)
Estudios Culturales 1 addresses the contents of the Geography and Citizen Education subjects of the National program. It seeks to consider geographic spaces and the concept of citizenship through the prism of Cultural Studies, an academic discipline that emerged in the mid-20th century. For this we will turn to literature, cinema, images (photographs, graffiti, etc.) and the mass media. The class is taught online in English, asynchronously, and students are expected to work individually on weekly projects.
Estudios Culturales 2
(Grade 11; 1 quarter; .25 credits)
The name of the subject in the National program is Citizenship and Work. For the same reasons that in Estudios Culturales 1 we are going to address some of its contents from the prism of cultural studies, a discipline that addresses the study of culture and cultural products from a multidisciplinary perspective, which appeals both to semiotics and to anthropology, sociology, philosophy or history. In the first moment of our subject we are going to dedicate ourselves to analyzing and thinking about the word "work", what meaning or senses it can contain. In general, we are used to considering work as that activity that a person must do to earn a living, to get the money necessary to live. Of course, the word work may mean many more things to the subject. We are going to resort to different intellectual currents and to carry out various activities to think about the problem. In a second moment of our subject, we are going to think about the relationships between work and citizenship. Could they have a relationship? We will have to take a look at the notion of citizenship, what it implies, what its scope is in a democratic society. This will lead us to think more carefully about the foundations of our political system, of our democratic, plural and multicultural way of life, and to establish some relationships with what we previously reflected in relation to work. Furthermore, work is an area in which people converge to enter into a certain kind of relationship. On the one hand, there are those who consider that these relationships should be circumscribed to the private and, on the other, there are those who consider that they should be regulated by law. It is a current debate, and we will address it by drawing on examples from the present. The subject is by semesters, is taught in Spanish and includes different kind of evaluation (practical work, essays, oral presentations)
Estudios Culturales 2 SLL
(Grade 12; 1 quarter; .25 credits)
Estudios Culturales 2 seeks to analyze and reflect on the meaning of work/ labor as it connects with the concept of citizenship. Using analytical tools from Cultural Studies, students will explore how these concepts are impacted and shaped by notions of representation and subjectivity. The course begins by analyzing and thinking about the word "work", and the various meanings it can contain -- from the activity that a person must do to earn a living, to an area in which people converge to enter into a certain kind of relationship. The class is taught in English, asynchronously, and students are expected to work individually on weekly projects.