IB Diploma Programme Subject Groups
The curriculum is made up of the DP core and six subject groups. Students are required to choose one subject from each of the six academic areas below.
Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
These courses offer a broad range of texts, and students grow to appreciate a language’s complexity, wealth and subtleties in a variety of contexts. Students take their studies in a language in which they are academically competent.
These courses offer a broad range of texts, and students grow to appreciate a language’s complexity, wealth and subtleties in a variety of contexts. Students take their studies in a language in which they are academically competent.
Group 2: Language Acquisition
The main emphasis of the modern language courses is on the acquisition and use of language in a range of contexts and for different purposes while, at the same time, promoting an understanding of another culture through the study of its language
The main emphasis of the modern language courses is on the acquisition and use of language in a range of contexts and for different purposes while, at the same time, promoting an understanding of another culture through the study of its language
- Language B courses are intended for students who have had some previous experience of learning the language.
- Language ab initio courses are for students who have little or no previous experience of learning the language they have chosen.
Group 3: Individuals and Societies
Studying any one of these subjects provides for the development of a critical appreciation of:
Studying any one of these subjects provides for the development of a critical appreciation of:
- human experience and behaviour
- the varieties of physical, economic and social environments that people inhabit
- the history of social and cultural institutions.
Group 4: Sciences
Through studying a science subject students become aware of how scientists work and communicate with each other. While the scientific method may take on a wide variety of forms, the emphasis is on a practical approach. In addition, through the overarching theme of the “Nature of Science” this knowledge and skills will be put into the context of the way science and scientists work in the 21st Century and the ethical debates and limitations of creative scientific endeavors. The sciences are taught practically. Students have opportunities to design investigations, collect data, develop manipulative skills, analyze results, collaborate with peers and evaluate and communicate their findings. The investigations may be laboratory based or they may make use of simulations and data bases. Students develop the skills to work independently on their own design but also collegiately to mirror the way in which scientific research is conducted in the wider community.
Through studying a science subject students become aware of how scientists work and communicate with each other. While the scientific method may take on a wide variety of forms, the emphasis is on a practical approach. In addition, through the overarching theme of the “Nature of Science” this knowledge and skills will be put into the context of the way science and scientists work in the 21st Century and the ethical debates and limitations of creative scientific endeavors. The sciences are taught practically. Students have opportunities to design investigations, collect data, develop manipulative skills, analyze results, collaborate with peers and evaluate and communicate their findings. The investigations may be laboratory based or they may make use of simulations and data bases. Students develop the skills to work independently on their own design but also collegiately to mirror the way in which scientific research is conducted in the wider community.
Group 5: Mathematics
The aims of these courses are to enable students to:
The aims of these courses are to enable students to:
- develop mathematical knowledge, concepts and principles
- develop logical, critical and creative thinking
- employ and refine their powers of abstraction and generalization.
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Group 6: The Arts
The subjects in the arts allow a high degree of adaptability to different cultural contexts. The emphasis is on creativity in the context of disciplined, practical research into the relevant genres. In addition, each subject is designed to foster critical, reflective and informed practice, help students understand the dynamic and changing nature of the arts, explore the diversity of arts across time, place and cultures, and express themselves with confidence and competence. |
Video: Kaiser HS IB Film Compilation |
Kaiser High School IB Diploma Programme Subjects
The IB has created curriculum for numerous IB DP subjects. Kaiser High School specifically offers the IB DP subjects identified below. While we try our best to accommodate students’ course selections, the availability of these subjects is dependent upon enrollment and staffing.
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Group 1: Studies in Language & Literature
Group 2: Language Acquisition
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Group 3: Individuals and Societies
Group 4: Sciences
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Group 5: Mathematics
Group 6: The Arts
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Both years of all IB DP classes are weighted on a 5.0 GPA scale with the exception of TOK and Year 1 of Mathematics.
Standard Level and Higher Level Courses
The philosophy of the IB DP is that students should engage with a range of subjects while being able to explore specific areas of personal interest in greater depth. SL courses ensure students are exposed to a range of disciplines that they might otherwise opt out of, and HL courses allow students to spend more time with subjects they are more interested in by exploring options in addition to the SL core curriculum. In this sense, all DP courses, regardless of whether they are SL or HL, are integral to the program. Both SL and HL courses are meant to span the two years of the DP. In most cases, both SL and HL courses consist of the same educational aims, core syllabus, and curriculum and assessment models. HL courses typically also include a range of additional elements designed to allow students to explore areas of interest within the subject in more depth. In this sense, SL courses are not watered down versions of their HL counterparts. The assessment criteria are equally demanding for both, and SL exams are marked and standardized with the same rigor as all IB coursework.
Course Descriptions
The following subject briefs describe each Diploma Programme subject offered at Kaiser High School . They address core requirements, aims, and assessment.
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
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Group 4
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Group 5
Group 6
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