Osaka International School

 

Middle/High School Course Descriptions


 

 Humanities

Aims                                                                                                                                                               .

 

Through the study of humanities, students will learn to:

  • communicate and analyse historical and geographical information
  • appreciate their own and other people’s past and traditions
  • develop an understanding of the ways in which environments change through physical as well as human action
  • develop an understanding of how local changes may affect human lives globally
  • consider a range of points of view and detect bias
  • develop their sense of curiosity, their imagination, and critical thinking skills.

 

The aims of MYP geography are to enable students to:

  • observe, classify, analyse, explain and relate, in order to allow them to understand the role of space, and to give them the opportunity to use space effectively
  • analyse, according to a variety of subjective viewpoints, the ways in which societies live in, locate, organize, compete for, and perceive space acquire a critical and sympathetic awareness of interaction between humans and
  • the environment, and to appreciate the role of subjectivity in the perception of space
  • organize their spatial knowledge at local, regional, national and global levels, in a world where information comes from an increasing variety of sources
  • develop a sense of place and an understanding of geographical scale; to appreciate inequalities and differences in levels of development
  • develop an awareness of the links between geography and history.

 

 

The aims of MYP history are to enable students, through the fundamental concepts of ‘time’, ‘cause and consequence’, ‘continuity and change’, ‘similarity and difference’ to:

  • discover an interest in, and an enjoyment of, the past
  • develop a knowledge and understanding of the past
  • develop an understanding of history and culture from a local to a global perspective
  • appreciate the relationship between technology and historical change
  • develop the skills necessary for the effective study of history
  • cultivate an enquiring mind
  • develop critical thinking and historical imagination through working with, and understanding, the fragmentary evidence of the past
  • develop the realization that there are many different interpretations of the past
  • develop an awareness of the links between history and geography.

 

 

 

Objectives                                                                                                                                                    .

 

The objectives of geography listed below relate directly to the assessment criteria,

 

A.  Knowledge and Understanding

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

  • demonstrate subject knowledge through the use of a range of relevant facts, examples and case studies
  • demonstrate the precise use of appropriate subject language, vocabulary and terminology
  • demonstrate a clear understanding of geographical processes and relationships
  • explain geographical cause and effect
  • draw conclusions.

 

B.  Understanding and Application of Concepts

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

  • demonstrate comprehension of geographical ideas, theories and concepts
  • show an awareness of which concepts, ideas or theories are relevant to particular geographical situations
  • utilize their theoretical and conceptual knowledge to formulate ideas or hypotheses
  • apply concepts, ideas or theories to new situations and to make inferences
  • recognize limitations in the application of ideas, concepts and theories.

 

C.  Application of Skills

Technical Skills

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

  • use geographical documents such as maps, graphs, tables, atlases, photographs and statistics, in a critical manner
  • represent spatial phenomena using maps, models, diagrams and graphs
  • use a variety of media and technologies to present geographical data.

Investigative Skills

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

  • observe, record and select information from primary and secondary sources
  • classify data
  • research geographical data using a variety of media and technologies.

Analytical Skills

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

  • quantify, check and verify geographical data
  • analyse and interpret geographical data and information
  • use information to make comparisons of similarities and differences
  • test hypotheses and/or ideas and where necessary modify them
  • recognize, describe and explain patterns in time and space
  • present clear and reasoned arguments based on geographical concepts, using relevant examples.

Problem-solving and Decision-making Skills

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

  • evaluate geographical information critically in order to identify key questions and issues
  • make balanced judgements about issues, problems and conflicts
  • make decisions and apply concepts to a real-world context.

 

D Presentation and Organization of Information

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

  • select material which is relevant to the topic
  • organize information in a logically sequenced manner
  • express geographical information and ideas in a clear and precise manner
  • document clearly the sources of information used
  • use a variety of media and technologies to present data.

 

 

 

 

The objectives of history listed below relate directly to the assessment criteria, A–D

 

A Knowledge and Understanding

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

  • know and apply historical terms
  • demonstrate factual recall
  • demonstrate an understanding of chronology
  • describe historical events.


B Understanding and Application of Concepts

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

  • make relevant connections (where they exist) between present and past events
  • understand events and issues in the context of the time period
  • recognize similarity and difference
  • identify cause and consequence
  • understand continuity and change.

 

C Application of Skills

Evaluation of Evidence

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

  • detect forms of bias: visual, graphic, tabular and printed
  • question the authenticity and reliability of historical sources
  • interpret and evaluate a wide range of historical sources and evidence.

Historical Analysis

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

  • analyse and interpret data and information
  • make balanced judgements on issues and problems, and draw valid conclusions
  • identify key questions and issues
  • present clear and reasoned arguments based on historical concepts, using relevant examples.

 

D Presentation and Organization of Information

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

  • select material which is relevant to the topic
  • organize information in a logically sequenced manner
  • express historical information and ideas in a clear and precise manner
  • clearly document the sources of information used
  • use a variety of media and technologies to present data.