*For Quarter grades, MYP marks (i.e. A+C, or C+D, etc) will be converted into percentages and then levels using these boundaries. (A is out of 10, B is out of 10, C is out of 10 and D is out of 8).

Humanities Grading

For ‘other’, non-IB type assignments, quizzes, tests, etc we use the normal Humanities Grade Boundaries:

This Percent Equals this Level

80 – 100 Level 7

70 – 79 Level 6

57 – 69 Level 5

44 – 56 Level 4

30 – 43 Level 3

20 – 29 Level 2

00 – 19 Level 1

IGCSE Exam Levels

The grade boundaries for the IGCSE mock exam will be as follows

A*=80% and above

A=64-79%

B=54-63%

C=44-53%

D=38-43%

E=31-37%

F=23-30%

G=15-22%

Below 15%=U

In this course, you’re lucky enough to be earning and MYP as well as an IGCSE qualification.

Click here for the MYP Assessment Rubric (Humanities)

Formative Assessment

During the course we will do a lot of activities which will reinforce the learning and help you to uncover any misunderstandings. We will use:

1. Practice sheets (as you’ve probably already discovered)
2. Activities, such as presentations and team projects
3. Mock exams. You won’t have any mock exams in your first year, but (as the IGCSE exams approach) we’ll give you a practice-exam, (which will feel very real at the time) which will help you to practice your exam technique.

Summative Assessment

MYP assessmentis based on a number of pieces of coursework (what we call “MYP Tasks’’). You’ll become for familiar with those as the course progresses. In general we will assess your Knowledge, your understanding of concepts, your skills and your ability to organize and present. For more on these skills, see the “What We’re Looking for in MYP” (below).

IGCSE Business assessment comes from a two written exam papers at the end of Year 10.

1. Paper 1 consists of short-answer questions. It normally asks for terms to be explained or suggestions to be made about particular business situations.
2. Paper 2 is a case study. Here the questions focus on the business problem or situation outline in the case study. There will be some short answer questions and some long answer questions as well. In general, this paper will require you to apply business studies concepts and interpret the information given.

What we’re looking for in MYP

A Knowledge

Knowledge is fundamental to studying humanities, and forms the base from which to explore concepts and develop skills.

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

1. know and use humanities terminology in context
2. demonstrate subject content knowledge and understanding through the use of descriptions and explanations, supported by relevant facts and examples, and may show other ways of knowing.

B Concepts

Concepts are powerful ideas that have relevance within and across the disciplines. Students should be able to develop an understanding of the following key humanities concepts over the course at increasing levels of sophistication.

Time

Students should understand the concept of “time” not simply as the measurement of years or time periods, but as a continuum of significant events of the past. Students can achieve this through the study of people, issues, events, systems, cultures, societies and environments through time.

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

1. establish a personal sense of identity in a context of time and place
2. understand different perceptions of time
3. show an understanding of people in past societies
4. demonstrate an awareness of chronology that links people, places and events through time
5. recognize and explain the similarities and differences that exist between people, places and events through time.

Place and space

The concept of “place and space” refers to a student’s awareness of how place/space is categorized, and the significance of place/space in humanities disciplines.

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

1. recognize, describe and explain patterns and relationships in space, including natural and human environments
2. recognize and explain similarities and differences between places
3. understand constraints and opportunities afforded by location
4. understand issues related to place/space on a local, national and global scale.

Change

Change necessitates an examination of the forces that shape the world. It may be viewed as positive or negative based on people’s perceptions. The concept of “change” addresses both the processes and results of change—natural and artificial, intentional and unintentional.

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

1. understand and explain short-term and long-term causes of change
2. establish and explain links between causes, processes and consequences
3. recognize and explain continuity and change
4. recognize that change is inevitable and that the rate of change is relevant to the context
5. understand that as people interact with their environment, both change
6. understand and explain how environmental, political, economic and social interactions can change levels of sustainability.

Systems

The concept of “systems” refers to the awareness that everything is connected to a system or systems. Systems provide structure and order to both natural and artificial domains.

At the end of the course, the student should be able to understand, identify and compare:

1. how systems, models and institutions operate
2. social structures and controls
3. the complex and dynamic nature of systems
4. different types of equilibrium within systems
5. systems in local, national and global societies
6. rights and responsibilities within systems
7. cooperation within and between systems.

Global awareness

The concept of “global awareness” engages students in a broader global context and encourages understanding of, and respect for, other societies and cultures. It also emphasizes the need to understand one’s own culture in order to understand others’ cultures.

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

1. explain different perceptions of places, societies and environments
2. show an understanding of how culture and perception can affect a sense of internationalism
3. show an understanding of the interdependence of societies
4. demonstrate international and intercultural awareness and understanding
5. explore issues facing the international community
6. recognize issues of equality, justice and responsibility
7. know when and how to take responsible action where relevant.

C Skills

The development of skills in humanities is critical in enabling the student to undertake research and demonstrate their understanding of knowledge and concepts. Students should be able to demonstrate the following skills during the humanities course to an increasing level of sophistication.

Technical skills

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

1. observe, select and record relevant information from a wide range of sources
2. use a variety of media and technologies to research, select, interpret and communicate data
3. use sources such as maps, graphs, tables, atlases, photographs and statistics, in a critical manner
4. represent information using maps, models and diagrams, including use of scale, graphs and tables.

Analytical skills

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

1. analyse and interpret information from a wide range of sources
2. identify key questions, problems and issues
3. critically evaluate the values and limitations of sources
4. compare and contrast events, issues, ideas, models and arguments in a range of contexts.

Decision-making skills

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

1. develop appropriate strategies to address issues
2. formulate clear, valid and sound arguments, make balanced judgments on events, and draw conclusions, including implications
3. make well-substantiated decisions and relate them to real-world contexts.

Investigative skills

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

1. test hypotheses and/or ideas and modify them where necessary
2. plan, carry out and present individual and group investigations
3. engage in fieldwork in order to complement an investigation.

D Organization and presentation

Students should be comfortable using a variety of formats to organize and present their work (including oral presentations, essays, reports, expositions) and using a variety of media and technologies. They should understand that their presentation is creating a new perspective on humanities.

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

1. communicate information that is relevant to the topic
2. organize information in a logically sequenced manner, appropriate to the format used
3. present and express information and ideas in a clear and concise manner, using appropriate language, style and visual representation
4. use referencing and a bibliography to clearly document sources of information, using appropriate conventions.

(With some of the information coming from the MYP Humanities Guide)