IB Curriculum
Founded in 1960, one of the main goals of the IB Program is the hoped that a shared academic experience emphasizing critical thinking and exposure to a variety of viewpoints would foster tolerance and intercultural understanding among young people. The educational philosophy of the organization is found in its mission statement adopted in 1996: Through comprehensive and balanced curricula coupled with challenging assessments, the International Baccalaureate Organization aims to assist schools in their endeavors to develop the individual talents of young people and teach them to relate the experience of the classroom to the realities of the world outside. Beyond intellectual rigor and high academic standards, strong emphasis is placed on the ideals of international understanding and responsible citizenship, to the end that IB students may become critical and compassionate thinkers, lifelong learners and informed participants in local and world affairs, conscious of the shared humanity that binds all people together while respecting the variety of cultures and attitudes that makes for the richness of life.
Diploma candidates are required to select one subject from each of the six subject groups: English, Foreign Language, History, Experimental Sciences, Mathematics, and Arts and Electives. Additionally, diploma candidates must take the Theory of Knowledge course in Junior and Senior year.
Group 1 – Language A
IB English (HL) - 9100 Full year (1 credit)
Grade 11 First year of a two-year course
The aim of the Language A-1 program (Higher Level) is foremost to encourage student appreciation of literature and an understanding of the techniques involved in literary criticism. Students taking this class will study works from other cultures as well as works that have been translated from other languages. Students will engage in an intense study of written text; furthermore development of oral and written expression as a means of communicating about literature will be included in the Language A-1 program. Student assessment will be based on the internal assessments required by the IB Program and other means included by the Language A-1 teacher. One external assessment paper will be started by the end of the spring in a student’s junior year.
Group 2 – Language B
IB Italian (SL) - 9210 Full year (1 credit)
Grade 11 First year of a two-year course
IB Italian is the third year of a sequential study of the Italian language and culture. IB Italian is designed to further develop the four primary skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. All language skills are studied through a range of texts and materials including newspapers, magazines, literature, the internet and films. Students will develop a greater awareness of, and sensitivity to the Italian culture and discuss similarities and differences with their own culture. There is an emphasis on writing and creating original compositions which will be prepared for both the internal and external assessment for a part of the IB score. Students are required to take the IB Italian SL exam in May of their senior year.
Prerequisite: Italian Regents and department approval.
IB Spanish (SL) - 9220 Full year (1 credit)
Grade 11 First year of a two-year course
IB Spanish is the third year of a sequential study of the Spanish language and culture. IB Spanish is designed to further develop the four primary skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. All language skills are studied through a range of texts and materials including newspapers, magazines, literature, the internet and films of the Hispanic world. Students will develop a greater awareness of, and sensitivity to the Hispanic culture and discuss similarities and differences with their own culture. There is an emphasis on writing and creating original compositions which will be prepared for both the internal and external assessment for a part of the IB score. Students are required to take the IB Spanish SL exam in May of their senior year.
Prerequisite: Spanish Regents and department approval.
Group 3 – Individuals and Societies
IB History of the Americas (HL) - 9300 Full year (1 credit)
Grade 11 First year of a two-year course
The first course in the two-year Individuals and Society sequence of the IB program is a comprehensive study of the 3 regions within North America; Canada, the United States and Latin America. The course will address a variety of political, economic, social and cultural aspects within the development of each region with an in an depth study of a 100 year period.
Group 4 – Experimental Sciences
IB Biology (HL) - 9400 Full year (1 credit)
Grade 11- First year of a two-year course
This is a higher level, two-year biology course. The course consists of 180 hours of lecture (theory) and 60 hours of laboratory investigations. An interdisciplinary research project is mandatory and will account for 10-15 of the 60 required lab hours. The aim of this course is to present students with a large amount of information and have those students acquire a limited body of facts while at the same time developing a broad, general understanding and appreciation of the principles of the subject. There are four basic biological concepts that run throughout the course: relationships between structure and function, universality vs. diversity, equilibrium within systems, and evolution.
Group 5 – Mathematics
IB Math Studies (SL) - 9500 Full year (1 credit)
Grade 11- First year of a two-year course
This Standard Level course seeks to develop proficiency in mathematics. It is designed for IB students of varied mathematical abilities in order to build an appreciation for the discipline itself, as well as its usefulness. The universality of mathematics, which includes its international dimensions, is an underlying theme. Problem-solving skills will play a dominant role in this course, which integrates various topics in logic, geometry, advanced algebra, trigonometry, data analysis and financial mathematics. The course aims to build persistence and confidence in one’s approach to mathematical studies by properly developing logical and abstract thought. Students will take their knowledge of mathematics to a practical level as they begin the required project - a piece of written work involving the collection, analysis and evaluation of data.
Group 6 – Arts and Electives
IB Art (SL) - 9600 Full year (1 credit)
IB Art will be offered as a Standard Level course. There are two options: SLA and SLB. Recommended teaching times for both levels is 150 hours. Therefor it may be necessary to spend time outside of the school day to complete assignments, either before or after school, or on the weekend. An "Investigation Workbook" (IW) is a critical aspect of IB Art. Each student starts with a bound book with blank pages and begins to explore areas of his or her choice in written and sketch form. Research on those topics, including international perspectives, will be recorded on those pages as well.
SLA - In the Spring of Senior year, an IB Examiner will come to St. Edmund to view an exhibit of the students' work and to interview him or her about the work on exhibit and the IW.
66% - devoted to Studio Work (practical exploration and artistic production)
34% - Investigation Workbook (Independent critical research and analysis, visual and written with an emphasis on multiculturalism)
SLB - This option should be particularly attractive to students who are in art but whose strengths do not lie in practical studio work. Students following this option should devote most of their time to the Investigation workbooks. A final visit is not required but is an option for the SLB student. The emphasis for the examiner, however, will be the Investigation Workbook.
66% - Investigation Workbook (Independent critical research and analysis, visual and written with an emphasis on multiculturalism)
34% - devoted to Studio Work (practical exploration and artistic production)
Prerequisites: Drawing and Design for SLA students. Art History and Design for SLB
IB Studio Art is required of all Sequential Art Students.
IB Music (SL) - 9610 Full Year (1 credit)
Grade 11- First year of a two-year course
IB Psychology (SL) - 9620 Full Year (1 credit)
This course is full year course that will examine in depth the learning perspective, cognitive perspective, biological perspective and psychodynamic perspective of psychology. Students will be expected to do independent research and reading outside of the classroom. The format for all tests will be essay. A major research project examining the replication of a simple experimental study is required. In order to receive IBO credit the student must successfully complete the research project and 2 comprehensive written exams in essay format.
Prerequisites : Introductory Psychology (2055) or Psychology (2051). Student must also have an overall GPA of 80.
Theory of Knowledge – 9700
Grade 11- First year of a two-semester course Spring Semester (½ credit)