Psychology (Higher & Standard)
This course aims to provide students with analytical skills with which to evaluate theories and concepts relating to human behaviour across different cultures and societies.
An understanding of research methods, data analysis and ethical issues will be integrated into all topic areas.
The course will include the following units:
- Biological Level of Analysis
- Cognitive Level of Analysis
- Sociocultural Level of Analysis
- Abnormal Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
Students are internally assessed by submission of one experimental report, with external assessment by examination.
History (Higher & Standard)
This course is concerned with individuals and societies and develops an awareness of political, social, economic, religious, technological and cultural developments and their impact upon continuity and change. The course will examine the craft of the historian and the interpretation of issues and events.
The course covers a range of C20th topics including:
- The causes, practices and effects of war
- The rise of single-party states
- International relations
- A study of a specific region e.g. Americas, Europe, Africa
All students will complete an in-depth study on any historical subject.
The course is assessed both internally and externally through an in-depth study and through examination papers.
Geography (Higher & Standard)
Geography is a dynamic subject that is firmly grounded in the real world and focuses on the interactions between individuals, societies and the physical environment in both time and space. It examines the key global issues and considers examples and detailed case studies at a variety of scales, from local to regional, national and international.
Standard and Higher level core:
- Patterns and Change: looking at Populations in Transition, Wealth and Development, Environmental quality and Sustainability and Resource Consumption.
Standard and Higher level options:
- Freshwater – Issues and Conflicts
- Hazards and Disasters – Risk Assessment and Response
Higher Level extension:
- The Geography of Food and Health
- Global Interactions
Fieldwork is an essential feature along with general techniques, map work, sketch maps and satellite imagery interpretation. Assessment is by two pieces of internally assessed coursework and externally marked formal examinations.
Social & Cultural Anthropology (Higher & Standard)
Social and Cultural Anthropology is concerned with studying different cultures and communities anywhere in the world. These may be nation states or small indigenous tribes, but for all we look at issues of poverty and injustice, beliefs and how cultures develop.
At Standard Level we will study:
- The Tiwi
- The Yanomamo
- The Trobriand Islanders
Higher Level will also study the San.
Whilst we look at societies, we also look at individuals and explore how different people see the world. In summary, we seek to develop an appreciation of the diversity of humankind.
