History IB

History Aims and Objectives IBDP

Group 3 Subject Aims IB DP

History students (and all Group 3 Individuals and Societies students) will:

• engage in the systematic and critical study of the human experience and human behaviour; physical, economic and social environments; the history and development of social and cultural institutions

• develop a capacity to identify, analyse critically and evaluate theories, concepts and arguments about the nature and activities of the individual and society

• enable the student to collect, describe and analyse data used in studies of society, to test hypotheses and interpret complex data and source material

• appreciate the way in which learning is relevant to various cultures and societies

• develop an appreciation of diversity

• recognise that the content and methodologies of subjects are contestable and that study involves an appreciation of uncertainty

History Subject Aims IB DP

History students (SL and HL) will:

• develop an understanding and interest in history

• engage with multiple perspectives and to appreciate the complex nature of historical concepts, issues and events

• promote international-mindedness through the study of history

• develop an understanding of history as a discipline and to develop historical consciousness including chronology, context, and perspectives

• increase their understanding of themselves and of contemporary society by encouraging reflection

History Assessment Objectives IB DP

Knowledge and Understanding -- History students will demonstrate:

• detailed, relevant and accurate historical knowledge

• understanding of historical concepts and context

• understanding of historical sources

Application and Analysis -- History students will:

• formulate clear and coherent arguments

• use relevant historical knowledge to effectively support analysis

• analyse and interpret a variety of sources

Synthesis and Evaluation -- History students will:

• integrate evidence and analysis to produce a coherent response

• evaluate different perspectives on historical issues and events, and integrate this evaluation effectively into a response

• evaluate sources as historical evidence, recognizing their value and limitations

• synthesize information from a selection of relevant sources

Use and Application of Appropriate Skills -- History students will:

• structure and develop focused essays that respond effectively to the demands of a question

• reflect on the methods used by, and challenges faced by, historian

• formulate an appropriate, focused question to guide a historical inquiry

• demonstrate evidence of research skills

IB DP History Syllabus

Part 1 History (40 Hours)

Select one prescribed History topic from this list:

• Military leaders

• Conquest and its impact

• The move to global war

• Rights and protest

• Conflict and intervention

Part 2 History (90 Hours)

Select two World History topics from this list:

• Society and economy (750–1400)

• Causes and effects of medieval wars (750–1500)

• Dynasties and rulers (750–1500)

• Societies in transition (1400–1700)

• Early Modern states (1450–1789)

• Causes and effects of Early Modern wars (1500–1750)

• Origins, development and impact of industrialization (1750–2005)

• Independence movements (1800–2000)

• Evolution and development of democratic states (1848–2000)

• Authoritarian states (20th century)

• Causes and effects of 20th-century wars

• The Cold War: Superpower tensions and rivalries (20th century)

Part 3 HL History Students Extention (90 Hours)

Select one HL regional topic from this list:

• History of Africa and the Middle East

• History of the Americas

• History of Asia and Oceania

• History of Europe

Part 4 History Internal Assessment (20 Hours)

Internal assessment - History students choose a historical topic to investigate, 

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