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More about the IB Program
International Baccalaureate Program
Course-Specific Information
IB Theory of Knowledge
This core course is required of all IB diploma-seeking candidates. This course
is designed to facilitate critical thinking, helping students understand how
people claim to know what they know and how certain they are of that knowledge.
This course will also help a student make connections between disciplines,
surveying both some knowledge content, topics that different disciplines have
in common, how different academic subjects relate to each other, and why some
subjects claim to be more certain than others.
This is a one-year course that covers second semester junior year and first
semester senior
year. This is a moderately difficult course, with approximately one hour of
homework required per week. The principle method of instruction will be discussion.
Students will be required to complete a ten-page research paper, as well as
give several in-class presentations. Register for one semester only. Non-IB
students are welcome in the class, see Mr. Krueger (B106) for details.
Creativity, Action, Service (CAS)
CAS is an additional IB requirement that pushes students to become active
members in their community. In community service, by creating, and by being
active. For more details, see the CAS pages.
Extended Essay
This is a core requirement for all IB diplom-seeking students. Students will
research a topic of their own choosing and complete a ~15 page (4000 words)
paper. Hunter faculty will be available for help with these papers. Papers
must be referenced and topics must be approved by an IB teacher. Papers will
be due in December of the Senior year. See Mr. Krueger (B-106) for details.
IB English Language A1 HL 1
This course is the first year of study in a two-year English Language A1
program for those students in pursuit of an IB diploma. English A1 integrates
the
study of literature with writing, speaking, presenting and literary analysis
skills. The junior year will focus on American Literature as well as
two Shakespeare
plays, poetry, short stories, and non-fiction. Extensive essays writing and
stylistic literary analysis will also be included. This rigorous course
will
include the completion of several papers as well as oral exams and a final
written exam at the end of the second year of study. (See Ms. Heart C-114
for details.
Spanish B SL
This course, along with previously completed course work, will prepare students
for the examination in the International Baccalaureate Spanish Language B
Standard Level Examination. This course will also focus on increasing student
performance and skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening in the
target language (Spanish), as well as increasing student awareness and appreciation
of cultural differences that exist not only in Spanish speaking countries,
but in the United States and in students’ communities as well.
The purpose of the course is to build on the knowledge base students currently
have by scaffolding new information and ideas with existing ones. The aim
of this course is to expand student use of information so that it can be used
in a variety of locations and situations: the classroom, the home, the community,
socially, and professionally. These course objectives will fall under three
categories: Social, Academic, and Cultural. In the “Social” category
students should be able to do the following in the target language: understand
written and oral communication, communicate in a variety of formal and informal
situations, interact with others socially and professionally, and express
personal opinions and ideas orally, by means of produced text, or both. In
the “Academic” category students should be able to demonstrate
proficiency reading, writing, understanding, and responding appropriately
to daily situations in the target language. In the “Cultural” category students should be able to demonstrate cultural awareness and appreciation
of cultural differences and similarities in Spanish-speaking countries, Spanish-speaking
regions in the United States, and Spanish-speaking areas in their own communities.
In addition to course objectives, students will also have the opportunity
to explore other cultures and look at them from an international point of
view through means of technology and media. These will be accomplished through
group and individual projects and presentations.
IB French B SL
The IB program has specific requirements that must be met by all students.
Included are quarterly projects in French, presentations to the class, and
taped interviews with the teacher. A wide curriculum is presented and mastery
of written and spoken French is the constant goal. The students in this program
are dedicated and understand the importance of excellence in education and
life.
IB History of Europe HL 1
Twentieth Century World History is a yearlong course required of those IB
students who will take History at the higher level. Non-IB students are allowed
to register for the course, and may earn college credit upon its completion.
This college level course will examine the USSR under Stalin; causes, practices
and effects of war in the 20th Century; and the rise of single party states.
The course will include both European and non-European examples of war and
single party states. There will be significant historiography and writing
skills work, which will better prepare you for your exams and the required
ten page research paper (Historical Investigation) due at the end of the first
semester of the second year of the course. This is a very challenging course.
The reading and writing load will be approximately equal to that of an upper-level
college course. IB students will begin work on the Historical Investigation
during the year. Non-IB students will be expected to complete all IB requirements
as well. See Mr. Newman (B110) for more details.
IB Psychology SL
This rigorous course falls under the IB subject group: Individuals and Societies.
Students will study human behavior and experience by closely examining the
biological, cognitive, learning (behavioral), and psychodynamic perspectives.
Students will also learn research methods and conduct a compulsory experimental
study. This is a very challenging course, with multiple hours of homework
required weekly. Because this course is part of the IB Diploma Programme,
students must submit to the guidelines and directives found in current IB
and Hunter High School literature. See Mr. Coon (C-210) for more details.
IB Biology HL 1
This is the first year of the two-year IB Biology course. IB Biology Higher
Level (HL) is designed to not only give students a comprehensive body of biological
knowledge, but to also equip them with the skills necessary to actually do
biology. Many of these skills have transferable value to not only other science
fields, but to non-science disciplines as well. There is a significant emphasis
on critical thinking skills such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Emphasis
is also placed on the ethics linked to each biological topic. The course spans
two consecutive school years and includes an extensive (60 hours) lab component.
The course’s internal assessments include such items as assignments,
unit exams, papers, and lab write-ups. External assessments include the Group
4 Project, some lab write-ups, and the end-of-course papers (exams). Lab Fee:
$10.00. See Mr Tuttle (B-218) for details.
IB Biology HL 2
This is the second year of the two-year IB Biology course/ IB Biology Higher
Level (HL) is designed to not only give students a comprehensive body of biological
knowledge, but to also equip them with the skills necessary to actually do
biology. Many of these skills have transferable value to not only other science
fields, but to non-science disciplines as well. There is a significant emphasis
on critical thinking skills such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Emphasis
is also placed on the ethics linked to each biological topic. The course spans
two consecutive school years and includes an extensive (60 hours) lab component.
The course’s internal assessments include such items as assignments,
unit exams, papers, and lab write-ups. External assessments include the Group
4 Project, some lab write-ups, and the end-of-course papers (exams). Lab Fee:
$10.00. See Mr Tuttle (B-218) for details.
IB Chemistry SL
IB Chemistry Standard Level (SL) is a rigorous, second year course that will
enable students to understand many of the major concepts and principles of
chemistry and how they apply to their lives. Students will be able to construct,
analyze and evaluate research questions through the scientific method. In
addition to a continuation of physical chemistry, students will be exposed
to organic and biochemistry. The eight mandatory labs will require approximately
one hour per week in the lab outside of regular class time. Prerequisite:
Chemistry 1-2 with a “B” or better average or completion of Honors
Chemistry. Lab Fee: $10.00. See Mr. Adams (B-215) for details.
IB Math Studies SL
Mathematical Studies is a rigorous IB course designed for students whose future
plans do not include the field of Mathematics. IB curriculum and testing procedures
will be followed throughout the course. Students will be exposed to higher
level mathematical ideas as well as explore the international and cultural
aspects of mathematics. Expectations in this course are high and only IB cohort
and serious mathematics students should register. Prerequisite: IB student
and/or students who have mastered Algebra 2 with no mathematics grades lower
than a B. See Ms. Allen (C-215) for more details.
Mathematics SL
Mathematics target students who wish to study mathematics in depth. The course
will prepare students to purse their interests in fields such as engineering
and the sciences, where the knowledge of mathematics is essential. Students
will be encouraged to apply their mathematical knowledge to a variety of meaningful
problems. Students will be exposed to the international dimension of mathematics
in that they will use international vocabulary and notations, solve problems
in international units such as currency from different countries and the metric
system, and learn about mathematical discoveries in their cultural and historical
contexts. Vector geometry and statistics and probability are topics that are
not traditionally covered in an American mathematics class but are emphasized
on the international level. The school library has several books available
that students can use for reference material. These include books that can
give a historical perspective to the study of calculus as well as books specifically
about the mathematical concepts. Use of the internet will also aide the research
of the students. See Mrs. Wamsley (C-210) for more details.
IB Theater Arts SL
This one-year theater arts class will develop students’ life-long appreciation
of theater through understanding the nature of theater; an understanding that
develops by studying, researching, creating and performing. Each student will
be expected to experience theater through their senses, through their involvement,
through group process, and through the role that theater takes on in their
own culture and in other cultures. This is a rigorous academic course that
includes several hours of homework per week. Students will develop a portfolio
representing both performance and production of theater, as well as extensive
writing analysis of theater. IB exams will be given at the end of the year.
See Ms. Fields (G-203) for more details.
IB Theater Arts HL 1
This is the first year of a rigorous, two-year study of theater. The Theater
Arts Program will help students develop a life-long appreciation of theater
through understanding the nature of theater; an understanding that develops
by studying, researching, creating and performing. Each student will be expected
to experience theater through their senses, through their involvement, through
group process, and through the role that theater takes on in their own culture
and in other cultures. This is a rigorous academic course that includes several
hours of homework per week. Students will develop a portfolio representing
both performance and production of theater, as well as extensive writing analysis
of theater. IB exams will be taken at the end of the second year. See Ms.
Fields (G-203) for more details.
IB Visual Arts SL
International Baccalaureate Visual Arts SL is a rigorous and challenging one-year
course that will focus students into a study of the Nature of Art. This course
will provide students with a set of understandings, skills, and values that
will guide and nurture them for a lifetime. Students will understand that
Art provides them a means for exploring issues and ideas at the core of human
existence, concepts as varied as beauty, nature, space and war. Students will
complete a portfolio of works as well as writing responses to artistic works.
Students will be interviewed at the end of the year by an external assessor.
See Ms. Quigley (E-205) for more details.
IB Visual Arts HL 1
International Baccalaureate Visual Arts HL is the first year of a rigorous
and challenging two-year course that will focus students into a study of the
Nature of Art. This course will provide students with a set of understandings,
skills, and values that will guide and nurture them for a lifetime. Students
will understand that Art provides them a means for exploring issues and ideas
at the core of human existence, concepts as varied as beauty, nature, space
and war. Students will complete a portfolio of works as well as writing responses
to artistic works. Students will be interviewed at the end of the year by
an external assessor. See Ms. Quigley (E-205) for more details.
IB Music SL
International Baccalaureate Music SL is designed to study many aspects of
music theory and notation of musical signs and symbols. Included in the course
is music history and how composers influenced the progress of Western Hemisphere
music. Explore the history of musical instruments from ancient times to our
modern era. The program will study music from other genres and cultures of
the world. Extensive listening and critical analysis of an IB musical recording
will be presented. The course demands intensive research of musical genres
of Western Hemisphere music and a comparison of other musical cultures of
the world. A portfolio paper will be presented to an IB external assessor
for analysis and grading. This course is offered to all interested students
and is not limited to talented musicians. Students may receive a SL certificate
by taking an IB test at the end of the school year and the successful completion
of their portfolio. See Mr. Talbot (G-201) for more details.
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