a student's autonomous ability to explore a writer's skills and techniques. Higher level students study six literary texts and standard level students study five, in addition to a wide range of other learning materials. GROUP 2: SECOND LANGUAGE These are different language courses aimed at different levels of experience. Both courses develop written and oral competence. Ab initio: Language ab initio is a language acquisition course for students with little or no previous experience in the language. Working with three broad themes, students will develop productive, receptive and interactive skills which can be applied to a range of everyday situations. Language ab initio is available at Standard Level only, in Arabic, French and Spanish. Language B: Language B is an additional language course for students who have some background in the language already. It is a language acquisition course which develops receptive, productive and interactive skills. Working with core themes and options, the course will introduce a range of texts and contexts, relating to the culture of the target language. At Higher Level the course will include the study of appropriate literary works. Language B is available at both Higher and Standard Level in English, French, german and Spanish. Mandarin will also be offered at Standard Level. GROUP 3: INDIVIDUALS AND SOCIETIES Economics: Higher Level and Standard Level At both Higher Level and Standard Level the course covers basic concepts, micro economics, macroeconomic arguments, international issues and development economics. No previous study of economics is presumed, and the course is suitable both for those wishing to study the subject further at university and those for whom this will be a complete course. Development economics is seen as a particularly important part of the course, and is an important ingredient in the portfolios of commentaries on current events, which constitute the internally assessed component.
Geography: Higher Level and Standard Level The aim of the subject is to examine some of the complex spatial relationships within a society on the one hand and between society and the natural environment on the other. The course deals with physical geography which examines the complex land form processes of arid and glacial environments and the oceans, and also studies the inter-relationships between these zones and humanity. The human geography section examines population, dynamics, resource use and sustainability and the issues of development. Some emphasis is given to practical work and fieldwork, as well as an introduction to quantitative methods. No previous knowledge is required. History: Higher Level and Standard Level The History courses provide an opportunity for students to acquire an historical knowledge of the modern world and to develop the academic skills such as evaluating evidence and writing essays, which are valuable not only in History, but in many other subjects too. The Higher Level courses both focus on common themes in twentieth century World History, such as the causes and effects of wars, and the origins and development of single party states. Students also choose a regional option specialising in the history of either Europe or the Middle East. The European option covers such topics as the two World Wars, the russian revolutions, the communist state under Lenin and Stalin, and the rise and rule of Hitler in germany and Mao in China. The Middle Eastern option includes the study of the decline of the Ottoman Empire, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the rise and rule of Nasser in Egypt and Mao in China. The Standard Level History course focuses on international relations from 1919 to 1962. It covers topics such as the work of the League of Nations, Hitler’s rise to power and the Second World War, the origins and development of the Cold War, US-Soviet relations, Mao’s China and the Korean War. Political Thought: Standard Level
The aim of the Economics curriculum is to promote understanding of issues and to make what can be a rather theoretical subject into suitable grounds for enjoyable debate.
The Politics course uses some of the classic texts of political theory by thinkers such as Machiavelli, Mill and Marx to introduce you to a broad range of political
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STUDENT HANDBOOK 35