A U T U M N 2 0 1 5 / F ocus on H umanities
Taking an Integrated Approach Humanities gives students an understanding of broad and complex issues The IB Individuals and Societies Guide, published in 2014, states that through this discipline, learners are encouraged ‘to respect and understand the world around them’ and that their learning will ‘equip them with the necessary skills to inquire into historical, contemporary, geographical, political, social, economic, religious, technological and cultural factors that have an impact on individuals, societies and environments.’ Through the units and courses in the Humanities curriculum, DC students are challenged to achieve these skills. Throughout the curriculum, the aim is to build in plenty of real-life examples, which is done in a variety of ways. In the MYP, an integrated Humanities course is taught with social justice as an overarching principle. We believe an integrated course fits better with the philosophy of the IB, in that students are not specialising too early. In this way, students keep their future options open and can specialise when they enter the DP, and then even more so at tertiary level. Through this integrated programme, students get an understanding of some of the subjects that come under the umbrella of Individuals and Societies during their MYP years. Units are designed with particular subject leanings to ensure this. For example, the Year 9 Wild Weather unit has a focus on geography. Likewise the Year 10 Globalisation and Trade unit is geared toward economics, and the Year 11 Leaders and Change unit brings history to the forefront. Teachers make these focuses clear to students as the units are presented so that
Photo by: Alex Jone
SHI JIE MAGAZINE / AUTUMN 2015
they are more aware of what each subject is like, which helps students make more informed choices as they enter the Diploma Programme. Learning from primary sources is an important aspect of the Humanities programme, and therefore guest speakers are used to share first-hand accounts of historical events and current issues. Throughout the College, guest speakers offer valuable insights on a range of topics. In the last year, for example, students have benefited from speakers such as MIT Professor Emeritus Noam Chomsky, who spoke about his views on global foreign policy as well as his pioneering work in the field of linguistics. Students also heard from a member of the Sea Shepherd organisation who spoke about ocean conservation, and from a domestic helper in Hong Kong who spoke about her efforts to pursue legal action after being mistreated by her employer. These are just some examples of the types of speakers who bring real-world examples of current events, social justice, and global policies to enhance student learning. Another important way students gain reallife exposure to areas of the curriculum is through experiential learning and field trips around Hong Kong. For example, students visit different places of worship as part of their study of major world religions, as the Year 9 classes did earlier this term. Other year groups visit the Hong Kong organisation Crossroads to participate in some of their simulations about poverty, and Year 11 students have a chance to get out into the ‘field’ to gather primary data for analysis. In addition to the robust curriculum, activities outside of the classroom provide important opportunities to reinforce the themes taught. Through competitions and CCAs, students put their knowledge into practice. For example, the Company Programme
CCA helps students apply their business knowledge as they research a product design, explore market opportunities, and advertise and sell the product. This application of concepts learned in class solidifies the concepts being taught and gives students valuable experience. Similarly, the Model United Nations CCA applies the concepts learned from units focusing on history and global issues. Competitions also provide ways for students to apply their learning, as DC students have done in the ESF Marketing Competition and the ESF Geography Quiz each year. Some students have even stretched their interests and pursued the International Global Citizens Award, through which two DC students earned a gold certificate for their commitment and engagement to become a better global citizens by considering how their lives and activities in the world affect other people and the environment, and how to personally work toward a better world. Through these components, the Humanities curriculum exposes students to a variety of subject areas and helps them to better understand the world around them. The skills developed in these courses allow students to be active participants in their world and to think critically about the many factors that have an impact on individuals, societies and environments. Cheryl Osborne Head of Humanities
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