In grades 9 and 10 social studies classes, students explore ideas associate with History and Global Perspectives:
In grades 9 and 10 social studies, students continue to explore and evaluate ideas and arguments in a structured, critical, and analytical way through the study of history and economics. Students are encouraged to communicate and defend views and opinions as well as respect those of others. This ensures that students are equipped to participate constructively in society and the economy – locally, nationally and globally.
Throughout the history course, students are given the opportunity to:
- Develop an interest in and enthusiasm for learning about and understanding the past
- Explore historical concepts such as cause and consequence, change and continuity, and similarity and difference
- Appreciate historical evidence and its usage to build an argument
- Gain a greater understanding of international issues and inter-relationships
- Learn how to present clear, logical arguments
Throughout the Global Perspectives course, students are given the opportunity to:
- Develop critical thinking and research skills by exploring global issues from multiple perspectives
- Formulate, analyse, and evaluate arguments using evidence from a range of reliable sources
- Communicate ideas effectively through written, oral, and collaborative tasks
- Reflect on their own viewpoints and consider ethical, cultural, and global implications
- Work independently and collaboratively to plan, research, and present reasoned conclusions
In grades 11 and 12 social studies classes, students choose one of the two IB courses offered at MEFIS:
- Economics (SL, HL)
- History
The aims of all subjects in IB Individuals and Societies are to:
- Encourage the systematic and critical study of human experience and behavior; physical, economic and social environments; the history and development of social and cultural institutions
- Develop in the student the capacity to identify, to analyze critically, and to evaluate theories, concepts and arguments about the nature and activities of the individual and society
- Enable the student to collect, describe, and analyze data used in studies of society, to test hypotheses and interpret complex data and source material
- Promote the appreciation of the way in which learning is relevant to both the culture in which the student lives, and cultures of other societies
- Develop an awareness in the student that human attitudes and opinions are widely diverse and that a study of society requires an appreciation of such diversity
- Enable the student to recognize that the content and methodologies of the subjects in Group 3 are contestable and that their study requires the toleration of uncertainty
Students are assessed both internally and externally at the end of Grade 12 through IB examinations. The internally assessed components are also externally moderated by IB.
IB Economics is a dynamic social science, forming part of the study of individuals and societies. The study of economics is essentially about the concept of scarcity and the problem of resource allocation. Although economics involves the formulation of theory, it is not a purely theoretical subject: economic theories can be applied to real-world examples. Neither is economics a discrete subject since economics incorporates elements of history, geography, psychology, sociology, political studies and many other related fields of study.
The scientific approach characterizes the standard methodology of economics. This methodology progresses from problem identification and hypothesis formulation to testing to arrive at a conclusion. Alongside the empirical observations of positive economics, students of the subject are asked to formulate normative questions. Encouraging students to explore such questions forms the central focus of the economics course.
The IB Diploma Programme History course is the study
The IB Diploma Programme History course is the study of the past through the investigation of people, events, and societies, and how these have shaped the modern world. It encourages students to explore historical developments from multiple perspectives, fostering an understanding of cause, consequence, continuity, change, and significance over time. History is both analytical and interpretative, requiring students to evaluate a wide range of primary and secondary sources, recognize differing viewpoints, and construct well-supported arguments.
Through the study of history, students develop critical thinking, research, and communication skills while engaging with complex questions about power, conflict, identity, and human experience. The course emphasizes inquiry-based learning, challenging students to make connections between past and present and to reflect on the role of history in shaping contemporary global issues.
