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Osaka International School |
Middle/High School Course Descriptions |
Content
Integrated English/Humanities - Grade 6
-8 (Humanities Component) Students will look at the
importance of our links with the past, how we have built
on the past, and how we will move into the future. The
early beginnings of man will be explored leading to the
development of culture, the shift to farming societies,
and the beginnings of the first cities. The ancient
civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, China and
Greece will be explored. The
humanities curriculum
begins with the study of the Roman Republic and the Roman
Empire, which lays a foundation for understanding
Medieval Europe and the Middle East, including the
Renaissance and the Reformation. Careful attention is
paid to the development of Monotheism as represented by
Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The year concludes with
a comparison to similar developments in Asia during the
same time period of study. Geography and mapping skills
are further developed. The
humanities curriculum
in grade 8 continues the world-related programme
followed in grades 6 and 7. Students begin the year with
a study of essential geography skills and the history of
cartography from ancient to modern times. Students
then continue their study of historical periods: the
Enlightenment and its effects on the French Revolution;
the Industrial Revolution and subsequent rise of
socialism; Meiji Japan. At all points, integration
through literature and writing is made with the English programme. Comparative
Government/US History of the 20th Century—Grade 9 The Grade 9
Humanities curriculum focuses on the role of the United States in
the 20th century and entails a study of the domestic USA
as well as its role in the international arena. The
course also looks at comparative government and its
influence on domestic and world affairs. The
republican model of the United States, the parliamentary
system of the United Kingdom and the Meiji / post World
War II constitutions of Japan, in particular, will be
studied. The course emphasizes the importance of
primary and secondary source documents in historical
inquiry. International Relations/
Economics—Grade 10 The class is a challenging and
diverse course of study that is designed to help students
make connections between the various humanities
disciplines. The course begins with a brief, but
important, overview of basic Economics at the national
and international level, which will emphasize the
interdependent nature of the global economies of the
world. This provides an opportunity to examine current
demographic, economic, political, and environmental
trends and will serve as a basis for research, comparison
and debate in the class. At the core of the course is the
study of the United Nations and participation in the
Model United Nations simulation held annually in the
area. |