History (Standard and Higher Levels)
Route 1 – Mediaeval History
Previous knowledge
Whilst the course is designed so that it can be taken without any previous knowledge, it is desirable that students who wish to study History at Standard Level have gained at least a grade C in History at GCSE level or equivalent, and students who wish to study the Higher Level have gained a grade B or above. Students who have not studied History immediately before Diploma level, or who have not achieved the desired grades and who wish to study History, will only gain access to the course after an interview with the IB Coordinator and the Head of History to assess their suitability. (See ‘Who is the IB Diploma Programme for?’)
History SL and HL
The focus of this course is upon the History and Interaction of Mediaeval Europe and the Islamic World. The course places an emphasis upon the achievements and cooperation between the Mediaeval European and Islamic Worlds, which aims to challenge students’ perspectives and understanding about the Middle East and the world in which they live today.
Through this course students will acquire a thorough knowledge of Mediaeval History, as well as a better understanding of the values that both Europe and the Islamic World share. Standard Level students will study three topics:
The Origins and Rise of Islam
Dynasties and Rulers
Intellectual, Cultural and Artistic Developments
History HL only
The Higher Level course aims to support and build upon the teaching and learning of the Standard Level course. In addition to the three topics above, Higher Level students will also study:
Christianity c500-1300
The Fatimids
Muslim, Christian and Jewish Interactions in Spain
Assessment
All students will be formally examined at the end of the two-year course. Students will also be required to undertake an Internal Assessment, where they will have to produce an extended piece of written work on an area of study relating to the course. This will begin in June of the first academic year and be completed in October, shortly after the new academic year begins.