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Humanities and Social Sciences

Meet the teachers

Lucy Crane
Head of Department and History Teacher

Scott Jamieson
Geography Teacher

Maria Cole
Business and Economics Teacher

Johanna Croci
Psychology and Sociology Teacher

Aims

Studying the Humanities and Social Sciences means that students are able to consider human values and attitudes in both the past and present as well as considering how society is organised and develops. Moreover, pupils are able to apply their experiences to the wider local, national and global contexts and to develop an understanding of how people exist, act and think and have done in the past.

To encourage the development of communication skills
To promote an understanding of the nature of cause and consequence, continuity and change, similarity and differences
To provide a sound basis for further study and the pursuit of personal interests
To promote students awareness, knowledge and understanding of human societies
To promote candidates' understanding of continuity and change in social life
To encourage a critical awareness of social, economic and political processes, and their effects
To develop the capacity for the critical evaluation of different forms of information and evidence
To enable students to understand and appreciate the nature and scope of business, and the role it plays in society

Humanities and Social Science at IBSB

Key Stage 3 (Assessment)

At key stage 3 students will study both History and Geography for 3 hours a week. They follow the National Curriculum course and will complete an assessment per half term and will be tested at the end of the year on all the topics they have covered within the course.

Key Stage 4 (IGCSE)

Within the Humanities and Social Science department student have an option of choosing between 5 subjects. Below are descriptions of the different courses that can be chosen and the aims of each course:

Business Studies

Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies is accepted by universities and employers as proof of an understanding of business concepts and techniques across a range of different types of businesses. Successful IGCSE Business Studies students gain lifelong skills, including:

understanding different forms of business organisations, the environments in which businesses operate and business functions such as marketing, operations and finance;
an appreciation of the critical role of people in business success;
confidence to calculate and interpret business data;
communication skills including the need to support arguments with reasons;
ability to analyse business situations and reach decisions or judgements.

The syllabus provides both a foundation for further study at A Level and an ideal preparation for the world of work.

Economics

Cambridge IGCSE Economics is accepted by universities and employers as proof of knowledge and understanding of economics.
Successful IGCSE Economics candidates gain lifelong skills, including:

an understanding of economic theory, terminology and principles
the ability to apply the tools of economic analysis
the ability to distinguish between facts and value judgements in economic issues
an understanding of, and an ability to use basic economic numeracy and literacy
the ability to take a greater part in decision-making processes in everyday life
an understanding of the economies of developed and developing nations
an excellent foundation for advanced study in economics

Geography

Successful Cambridge IGCSE Geography candidates develop lifelong skills, including:

an understanding of the impacts which both physical and human geography can have and the processes which affect their development;
a sense of place and an understanding of relative location on a local, regional and global scale;
the ability to use and understand geographical data and information;
an understanding of how communities and cultures around the world and how they are affected and constrained by different environments

History

This History syllabus offers students the opportunity to study some of the major international issues of the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as looking in greater depth at the history of a particular region or regions. The emphasis within the syllabus is as much on developing lifelong historical skills as on acquiring knowledge.

Successful candidates gain valuable skills including:

an interest in and enthusiasm for learning and understanding about the past
an understanding of historical concepts such as cause and consequence, continuity and change, and similarity and difference
an appreciation of historical evidence and how to use it
a greater understanding of international issues and inter-relationships
how to present clear, logical arguments

Sociology

Cambridge IGCSE Sociology is accepted by schools universities and employers as proof of knowledge and understanding. Successful IGCSE Sociology candidates gain lifelong skills, including:

a better understanding of how we become who we are
the ability to analyse human behaviour within one’s own society, between different cultures and across different periods of time
an appreciation of the effects that choice of methodology can have on social science investigations
the ability to use sociological evidence and ideas to challenge one’s own beliefs and the beliefs of other people about issues such as equality, education, the family and crime.

Key Stage 5 (AS/A level)

Within the Humanities and Social Science department student have an option of choosing between 6 subjects. Below are descriptions of the different courses that can be chosen and the aims of each course:

Business Studies

Cambridge International A Level & AS Level Business Studies are accepted by universities and employers as proof of essential knowledge and ability.

The Business Studies syllabus enables candidates to understand and appreciate the nature and scope of business, and the role business plays in society.The syllabus covers economic, environmental, ethical, governmental, legal, social and technological issues, and encourages a critical understanding of organisations, the markets they serve and the process of adding value. Candidates examine the management of organisations and, in particular, the process of decision-making in the context of a dynamic external environment.

Economics

Success in Cambridge International A Level & AS Level Economics is accepted by universities and

employers as proof of essential knowledge and ability. Successful Cambridge International A & AS Level candidates gain lifelong skills, including:

the ability to explain and analyse economic issues and arguments
the ability to evaluate economic information and organise, present and communicate ideas and judgements clearly
a sound foundation of economic ideas including an introduction to the price system and government intervention, international trade and exchange rates, the measurement of employment and inflation and the causes and consequences of inflation.

Geography

Cambridge International A & AS Level Geography is accepted by universities and employers as proof of knowledge and understanding of geography. Successful candidates gain lifelong skills, including:

an appreciation of the need for understanding, respect and co-operation in conserving the environment and improving the quality of life both at a global scale and within the context of different cultural settings
an awareness of the usefulness of geographical analysis to understand and solve contemporary human and environmental problems
a sense of relative location, including an appreciation of the complexity and variety of natural and human environments
an understanding of the principal processes operating within physical and human geography
an understanding of the causes and effects of change on the natural and human environments
an awareness of the nature, value, limitations and importance of different approaches to analysis and explanation in geography
a concern for accuracy and objectivity in collecting, recording, processing, analysing, interpreting and reporting data in a spatial context
the ability to handle and evaluate different types and sources of information
the skills to think logically, and to present an ordered and coherent argument in a variety of ways
an excellent foundation for studies beyond A Level in geography, in further or higher education, and for professional courses.

History

Cambridge A & AS Level History gives candidates the opportunity to study the past and develop an understanding of complex historical events and processes. Candidates will gain valuable lifelong skills including:

assessing different interpretations of an argument
formulating their own ideas about a subject
presenting clear, logical arguments
evaluating historical evidence
developing an understanding of historical concepts such as cause and effect, similarity and difference and continuity and change. Cambridge Advanced Level History is one of the most recognised qualifications around the world. It is accepted as proof of academic ability and of historical knowledge and understanding for entry to universities. Every year, thousands of students with Cambridge A Level History win places at good universities worldwide.

Psychology

Cambridge International A & AS Level Psychology is accepted by universities and employers as proof of knowledge and ability. This syllabus aims to encourage an interest in and appreciation of psychology through an exploration of the ways in which psychology is conducted. This exploration includes:

a review of a number of important research studies
an opportunity to look at the ways in which psychology has been applied.

The syllabus uses a wide variety of assessment techniques that will allow students to show what they know, understand and are able to do. The emphasis is on the development of psychological skills as well as the learning of psychological knowledge

Sociology

In a rapidly changing world, Cambridge International A & AS Level Sociology offers students the opportunity not only to explore the processes that are shaping current trends, but also to develop an understanding of the complexity and diversity of human societies and their continuities with the past. The study of Sociology should stimulate awareness of contemporary social, cultural and political issues, and focus attention on the importance of examining these issues in a rigorous, reasoned and analytical way. The AS Level provides a solid grounding in the central ideas and approaches in Sociology. A Level student can choose to explore a variety of important areas of sociological enquiry including education, family, religion, and crime and deviance.

For further information on any of the Humanities or Social Science course please refer to: www.cie.org.uk

Useful Websites

The following websites are useful at Key stages 3, 4 and 5.