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High School Course Catalog 2013 - 2014

Yokohama International School

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Table of Contents

Our Mission and Values 1

Message from the Counselor and Academic Advisor 2

Important Course Selection Dates to Remember 3

YIS Graduation Requirements 3

Academic Programs

Grades 9 & 10 (IBMYP & IGCSE) 4

Grades 11 & 12 (IBDP) 4

2012-2013 Course Descriptions

English 7

Mathematics 8

Modern Languages 10

Science 13

Social Sciences 15

Arts 16

Physical Education 19

Technology 20

Online Learning Program 21

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Our Mission

Our mission is to provide the highest-quality balanced education to internationally minded students in an inquiring and supportive

environment. We seek to inspire students and to provide them with the academic and social skills that will enable them to fulfill their

human potential as responsible global citizens.

Our Values

We shall be mindful of the needs and rights of others.

We shall be honest in our dealings.

We shall be peaceful in our intentions.

We shall be responsible in our actions.

We shall be supportive of each other.

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“Our lives are the sum total of the choices we have made.” (Albert Camus)

Dear Students:

In the following pages you will find useful information about the courses YIS offers at the high school level. We have tried to organize the information in a coherent and concise way in order to make it easier to browse through and make the best decisions for your program of studies. Remember to carefully think about the following factors when selecting courses:

• WillyoudowellinahigherlevelIBcourseinthissubject?

• Willthesesubjectsprepareyouforyourfuturegoals?

• DothesubjectsyouwanttotakesatisfytheprerequisitesfortheIBdiploma?

• Dothesubjectsyouwanttotakesatisfytheprerequisitesforspecificuniversityentry requirementsandmajors?

• ArethereanyconflictswithYISgraduationrequirements?

• Willyoubehappytakingthesecourses?

• Areyougivingupacertainsubjectthatyoumayregretlater?

• Whatareyourinterests?

Youshouldalsorememberthatyoumightnotbeabletotakeallofthesubjectsthatyouareinterestedin.Thismaybebecauseoftimetableissues,becausetheteacherinthatsubjectfeelsthatyouwillexcelmoreinanothersubject,orbecauseclasseshavebecomeover-subscribed.

Ifyouarenotsureaboutwhichsubjectstotake,orwhetherornotyouwilldowellinaparticularsubject,thebestpeopletospeaktoarethesubjectteachers,theacademicadvisorand/ortheIBdiplomacoordinator.You should also take this opportunity to discuss your future goals with your parents, and to ask their advice if you are not sure which courses are the “best” for you.

A Note on PrerequisitesDependingonyourfuturegoals,youwillneedtobegintakingcertaincoursesinhighschool.Forexample,if you plan to become a doctor, you should be taking as many science and math courses as you can manage.

Makesureyouaretakingtheprerequisitesfortheuniversityand/ordepartment/courseyouareapplyingto. Check with the university if you aren’t sure which classes you should be taking now. If you are planning togotoaBritishorCanadianuniversity,beespeciallycarefulaboutprerequisites,inparticularifyouwishtoenter a scientific field.

Themost importantthingtorememberaboutprerequisitesrightnow,though, is thattheyexist inhighschool,too!Forexample,makesureyouknowwhattheprerequisitesareforeachsubjectsothatyoudon’tfind out at the end of 10th grade that you can’t take the class you wanted to in 11th grade because you haven’t taken the introductory course in 10th grade.

May you choose wisely!

Monna McDiarmid CounselorandAcademicAdvisor November 2012

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Important Course Selection Dates to Remember

For Current YIS Students

Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012 Course selection presentation for grade 10 students (9:10 - 10:00 am)

Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012 Courseselectionpresentationforgrade10parents/students (6:30 - 8:30 pm)

Friday, Nov. 30, 2012 Last date by which all grade 10 students should enter preliminary “wish list” for courses

Monday, Dec. 3, 2012 Course selection presentation for grade 8 students (9:10 - 10:00 am)

Monday, Dec. 10, 2012 Last date by which all grade 8 students should enter course selection data for arts and language courses

Week of Jan. 14-18, 2013 TeachersinputIBDPplacementrecommendationsintothedatabasesys tem and inform students

Please note:Asapartofthecourseselectionprocess,allstudentsingrade10willmeetindividuallywithMs. McDiarmid. Mr. Redlich will also be available for consultation.

For Students Joining YIS in the 2013-2014 Academic YearStudentswhoareconfirmedtobejoiningYISinAugust2013orlaterinthe2013-2014academicyeararestronglyencouragedtocontactMs.McDiarmidbyemail(mcdiarmidm@yis.ac.jp)todiscusscourseselection.

YIS Graduation Requirements

InordertobeawardedaYISHighSchoolDiploma,studentsmustfulfillthegraduationrequirementslistedbelowregardlessofanyexternalexaminationstaken.

First, students must have at least the following number of course credits:

EnglishMathematicsModern LanguagesScienceSocial SciencesPhysicalEducationArtsTheory of KnowledgeTechnology One (1) credit is awarded for a course in which the student receives a passing grade and which meets four or more times a week for a full year of study. It should be noted that students who attend grades 9-12 at YIS typically earn at least two more credits than the number mandated for the YIS High School Diploma. StudentstransferringtoYISmid-waythroughgrade9orlatermayreceivecreditforequivalentcoursesatotherschoolsorhavecertainrequirementswaivedwiththeapprovaloftheheadofacademics.

Inadditiontothecoursecreditslistedabove,itisrequiredforgraduationthatstudents:

• Fulfillacommunityservicerequirementdemonstratingasustainedlevelofcommitmentover grades 11 and 12• Completeaseniorresearchpaper(onanacademictopicofthestudent’schoice)bytheendof thefirstsemesteringrade12.(Note:TheExtendedEssayoftheIBDPsatisfiesthisrequirement.)

4 credits3 credits3 credits3 credits3 credits3 credits2 credits1 credit1 credit

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Grades 9 and 10 Academic Programs

International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IBMYP)International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE)

YIS is currently in the process of transitioning the framework of our curriculum in grades 9-10 from the IGCSE totheIBMiddleYearsProgram.Asapartofthisprocess,weareexcitedingrade9tobeofferingarangeofMYPcoursesforthe2013-14academicyear.Inthesecoursestheintentionisthatstudentsshouldlearnhowto learn, how to analyze, how to reach considered conclusions about people, their languages and literature, theirways insocietyandthescientific forces in theirenvironment.TheMiddleYearsProgramallowstheschooltodesignaskills-basedcurriculumandexamcontenttobestfitandpreparestudentsfortheInterna-tionalBaccalaureateDiplomaProgram.

In 2013-14, for grade 10 students who elected to take the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) starting in grade 9, the YIS courses listed below will prepare them to take the IGCSE examinationsattheendofgrade10.

English Japanese* Geography Science Mathematics French Spanish

*The examination for Japanese (at the foreign level) is arranged through Edexcel and thus is a GCSE exam.

Grades 11 and 12 Academic Program

International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP)

TheIBDiplomaProgramwascreatedin1968.Itisatwo-yearpre-universitycourseofstudythatleadstotheawardofanIBDiploma.Itisatrulyinternationalcurriculumavailabletostudentsintheirlasttwoyearsofhighschool,anditgivesIBDiplomaholdersaccesstotheworld’sleadinguniversities.

Althoughnotaneliteprogram,theIBDPdoesrewardstudentswhomakeaconsistenteffortoverthetwoyearsofstudy.Itisnotonlythecontentthatisimportantbuttheprocesstoo.StudentscompletingtheIBDPareverywellequippedforlifeatuniversity.

WhileeachcomponentoftheIBDPhasspecificaimsandassessmentobjectives,thedistinctiveaimsoftheprogram as a whole are to:

•Provideaninternationallyacceptedqualificationforentryintohighereducation;

•Promoteinternationalunderstanding;

•Educatethewholeperson,emphasizingintellectual,personal,emotional,andsocialgrowth;

•Developinquiryandthinkingskillsandthecapacitytoreflectuponandtoevaluateactionscritically.

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Requirements for the IB Diploma

Allcandidatesmusttakesixsubjects,threeathigherlevelandthreeatstandardlevel.Onesubjectmustbechosenfromeachofthefirstfivegroups.Thesixthsubjectcanbefromgroup6orasecondsubjectfromgroups 1, 2, 3, or 4 can be chosen.

IBDP Course Offerings at YIS

Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4 Group 5 Group 6

Language A* Second Language

Individuals and Societies

Experimental Sciences

Mathematics The Arts

English Lit HLEnglish Lit SL

English L&L HLEnglish L&L SL

Japanese L&L HLJapanese L&L SL

German L&L HLGerman L&L SL

Language B

Japanese HL Japanese SL

French HL French SL

Spanish HL Spanish SL

German HL German SL

Ab Initio

Japanese SL

Spanish SL (online)

Mandarin SL (online)

History HLHistory SL

Geography HLGeography SL

Economics SLEconomics HL (both also avail-able online)

ITGS HL (online)ITGS SL (online)

Business &Management SL (online)

Philosophy SL(online)

Psychology SL(online)

Biology HLBiology SL

Physics HLPhysics SL

Chemistry HLChemistry SL

Mathematics HL

Mathematics SL

Mathematical Studies SL

Visual Arts HLVisual Arts SL

Theatre HLTheatre SL

Music HLMusic SL

Dance HLDance SL

Film SL (online)

**Environmental Systems and Societies SL

HL = higher level SL = standard level ITGS = Information Technology in a Global Society L&L = Language and Literature Lit = Literature

* Students must take English in group 1 to meet YIS graduation requirements. Should students wish to take two group 1 courses, Japanese and German Language and Literature are on offer, and a bilingual diploma will be awarded. In addition, to encourage mother-tongue languages, it is possible for students to study their mother tongue language as a school-supported self-taught subject (SL only). In such cases, two group 1 subjects would be studied and a bilingual diploma will be awarded. For more information, please contact the high school vice principal.

**Environmental Systems and Societies is an interdisciplinary subject that covers the requirements of both groups 3 and 4. Taking Environmental Systems and Societies allows students to take two subjects from any of groups 2, 3, 4, or 6 should they wish.

Please note: All courses are subject to maximum and minimum enrolment. YIS reserves the right to alter courses available. The decision to run, cancel, or move a class will be made with the best inter-ests of all students in mind.

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Core Curriculum Requirements for IB Diploma Program Students

Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

TOK is a course comprisedof100hoursover three semesters.Thecourseaims toexaminecritically thetypes, nature, and limitations of different ways of knowing and different areas of knowledge. In the process, students consider the role of language, reason, emotion, and perception in the pursuit of certainty and truth.Inaddition,studentscomparesystemsofknowledgeandexploretheassumptionsandvaluejudg-ments inherent within them.

StudentsareencouragedtoexploreTOKwithinthecontextoftheirownlearningandlivesandtoconsiderthe impactof culturaldifferencesonknowledge issues.Textsandexamplescome fromawide rangeofcultural perspectives and knowledge areas, including the physical and social sciences, mathematics, the arts, politics, religion, and ethics.

Students are assessed by means of a written assignment and an oral presentation. Up to three bonus points canbeawardedonthebasisofthiswrittenworkincombinationwiththeextendedessay.

Extended Essay

TheIBdefinestheextendedessayas“anin-depthstudyofalimitedtopicwithinasubject.”The4,000-wordessay is meant to provide students with the opportunity to conduct independent research at an introduc-torylevel.Ingeneral,theskillsrequiredtoproduceasuccessfulessayarethosethestudenthasbeenusingin the relevant course.

Studentsshouldchoosetoworkinanareatheyfindinteresting.Forexample,astudentwhochooseshistorymust be interested in working with primary sources. Those selecting a science topic are strongly advised to undertakeexperimentallybasedinvestigationsratherthanlibrary-basedsurveys.InLanguageA,studentsshould be interested in the independent critical analysis of literary works. Under most circumstances, stu-dentsareencouragedtoconfinetheirchoicestothesubjectstheyarestudying.

Whenstudentshavechosenthesubjectareaoftheextendedessay,theybegintodiscusstheirproposedtopicwiththeirsupervisor.Thestudentmustsubmitadetailedplan,includingaspecificresearchquestionfordiscussion.Asan independentpieceof research, it is critical that thestudent takesa self-disciplinedapproachandadherestodeadlines.TheextendedessayissubmittedduringOctoberseminarweekingrade12.

Creativity, Action, Service (CAS)

CASisafundamentalpartoftheIBDiplomaProgramatYIS.AlongwithTOKandtheextendedessay,CASisoneof thethreecoreelements ineverystudent’s IBDPexperience.Creativity is interpretedbroadly toinclude a wide range of arts activities, as well as the creativity students demonstrate in designing and imple-mentingserviceprojects.Actioncanincludenotonlyparticipationinindividualandteamsportsbutalsotakingpartinexpeditionsandinlocalorinternationalprojects.Serviceencompassesahostofcommunityandsocialserviceactivities.Someexamplesincludehelpingchildrenwithspecialneeds,visitinghospitalsandworkingwithrefugeesorhomelesspeople.StudentsareexpectedtobeinvolvedinCASactivitiesfortheequivalentofatleasttwotothreehourseachweekduringthetwoyearsoftheprogram.

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2012-2013 Course Descriptions

Please note: Unless otherwise stated, all courses are worth one credit.

ENGLISH

Grade 9

English for Academic Purposes 9TheEAPcourseingrades9and10aimstodevelopinstudentsthenecessaryskillsandknowledgetosuc-cessfullyaccesstheacademiccontentrelatedtotheirspecificsubjectsofstudy.TheEAPcourseforgrade9willbuilduponthelinguisticknowledgeandskillspreviouslyacquiredinEAL.Studentswill interpretavarietyoftextsfromkeylinguisticgenresusingdifferentreadingskillsandstrategies,employspeakingskillstoexpresstheirownviewsonarangeoftopics,andacquiretheskillsandstrategiesofthewritingprocesstoproducedifferentwritinggenresthatrelatetotheschoolcurriculum.AssessmenttasksarederivedfromtheIGCSEexternallysetcourserequirementsandtheYISEAPassessmenttasksthatwillincludelistening,speaking, reading, and writing.

English Grade 9 The English program in grade 9 focuses on the development of reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills such as reading and listening for meaning and for information, analyzing style and effect, evaluating, extractingandsynthesizinginformationforaspecificpurpose,writingandspeakingforaspecificpurposeandforaspecificaudience,andcriticalappreciationandanalysis.Theliteraturestudiedincludesthemajorgenres–novels,drama(includingShakespeare),poetry,shortstories,andnon-fiction. Assessmenttasksduring the course include both oral and written assignments on the body of knowledge and the skills taught.

Grade 10

English for Academic Purposes 10TheEAPcourseingrades9and10aimstodevelopinstudentsthenecessaryskillsandknowledgetosuc-cessfullyaccesstheacademiccontentrelatedtotheirspecificsubjectsofstudy.Studentswill interpretavarietyoftextsfromkeylinguisticgenresusingdifferentreadingskillsandstrategies,employspeakingskillstoexpresstheirownviewsonarangeoftopics,andacquiretheskillsandstrategiesofthewritingprocesstoproducedifferentwritinggenresthatrelatetotheschoolcurriculum.AssessmenttasksarederivedfromtheIGCSEexternallysetcourserequirementsandtheYISEAPassessmenttasksthatwillincludelistening,speaking, reading, and writing.

English Grade 10The English program in grade 10 continues the development of the reading, writing, speaking, and listening skillsaswellasthecreative,critical,andanalyticalskillstaughtingrade9.Studentswillexpandtheirexperi-enceandknowledgeofthemajorgenres–novels,drama(includingShakespeare),poetry,shortstories,andnon-fiction.Assessmenttasks,bothoralandwritten,willincludecreative,analytical,critical,andempatheticassignments as well as speaking and writing for different purposes and audiences. Students are well pre-paredfortheIBDPEnglishA1LiteratureandLanguageandLiteraturecourses.

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Grades 11 & 12

IB English A: Literature (HL and SL)Credits: 2Studentsmustreadindependently,carryoutinterpretationandanalysisofanauthor’sstyle,andexpressa thoughtful, personal response. Students must write and speak in a well-organized and convincing way, showing an appreciation of each author’s choices. They will use formal language and show a mastery of literarytermsandacriticalawarenessoftheireffects.AssessmenttasksarederivedfromtheIBDPexternallysetcourse requirements thatwill includebothoralandwrittenassignments.Theseareassessedagainsttask-specificcriteria:e.g.,knowledgeandunderstandingof the text;appreciationof thewriter’schoices,organizationandpresentation;appreciationoftheliteraryconventionsofthegenre;interpretationofthetext;organizationandpresentation;formaluseoflanguage;andmore.

IB English A: Language and Literature (HL and SL)Credits: 2Students must read independently, carry out interpretation and analysis of an author’s style, as well as cul-turalandsocialinfluences,andexpressathoughtful,personalresponse.Studentsmustwriteandspeakina well-organized and convincing way, showing an appreciation of each author’s choices and the possible influenceson,andeffectof,thesechoices.Theywilluseformallanguage.Theaimofthecourseistofosteranunderstandingofhowlanguage,culture,andcontextdeterminethewaysinwhichmeaningisconstructedintexts,includingliterarytexts.AssessmenttasksarederivedfromtheIBDPexternallysetcourserequire-ments that will include both oral and written assignments. These are assessed against task-specific criteria: e.g.,knowledgeandunderstanding,responsetothequestion,organizationandpresentation,understand-ingoftheuseofstylisticfeatures,interpretationofthetext,organizationanddevelopment,formaluseoflanguage, and more.

MATHEMATICS

Grade 9

Standard Mathematics Grade 9This course, together with its corresponding course in grade 10, should be seen as a two-year course whose purposeistopreparestudentsforeithertheIBDPMathematicalStudiesorStandardLevelcoursesingrades11and12.Thiscourseis lesstechnicalandlessacademicallychallengingthantheextendedlevelcourseingrade9andisdeliveredataslowerpace;however,itremainsdemanding,focusingondevelopingthestudents’ basic skills and confidence. The course includes units on algebra, number, trigonometry, functions, vectors,andsettheory. Investigativemathematics isacompulsorypartof thecourse.Agraphicdisplaycalculatorisarequirement.

Extended Mathematics Grade 9TThis course represents the first half of a two-year course for students who have a good level of mathemati-calinterestandaptitude.Thepurposeofthecourse,togetherwiththeequivalentcourseingrade10,istopreparestudentsforeitheroftheIBDPcoursesStandardLevelorHigherLevelMathematics.Moretechnol-ogy is used in this course than the Standard Grade 9 course, and the academic challenge is significantly higher. This course focuses on developing the students’ analytical skills and covers a wide range of content including algebra, number, geometry, trigonometry, functions, vectors, set theory, and probability. Investi-gativemathematicsisacompulsorypartofthecourse.Agraphicdisplaycalculatorisarequirement.

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Grade 10

Standard Mathematics Grade 10Thiscourseisthesecondhalfofatwo-yearcourseforstudentswhomayfindmathematicsquitedifficult,anditaimstopreparestudentsforIBDPMathematicalStudiesingrades11and12.Thiscourseissomewhateasierthantheextendedcourseingrade10,anditisdeliveredataslowerpace;however,itremainsaca-demic and demanding. The course includes units of work on functions, statistics, finance, geometry, prob-abilityandmensuration. Investigativemathematics isacompulsorypartofthecourse.Agraphicdisplaycalculatorisarequirement.StudentswillnotbeabletotaketheIGCSECoreMathematicsexaminationsatthe end of the year.

Extended Mathematics Grade 10This course represents the second half of a two-year course for students who have a good level of math-ematical interest and aptitude. This course focuses on developing the students’ analytical skills and covers a wide range of content including algebra, functions, trigonometry, symmetry, transformational geometry, logarithms, statistics,mensurationandprobability. Both Investigativemathematics is a compulsorypartofthecourse.Agraphicdisplaycalculatorisarequirementinthiscourse.StudentsenrolledinthiscoursefollowaframeworkwrittentobeinlinewiththeIBMiddleYearsProgramme(MYP)ExtendedMathematicscurriculum. Students who opt for this course will not take IGCSE at the end of the year. This course prepares studentsfortheIBDPstandardlevelandhigherlevelmathematicscourses.

Extended IGCSE Mathematics Grade 10 This course represents the second half of a two-year course for students who have a good level of math-ematical interest and aptitude. This course focuses on developing the students’ analytical skills and covers a wide range of content including algebra, functions, trigonometry, symmetry, transformational geometry, logarithms, statistics,mensuration and probability. Both investigativemathematics andmodeling are acompulsorypartofthecourse.Agraphicdisplaycalculatorisarequirementinthiscourse.StudentsenrolledinthiscoursefollowtheCambridgeUniversityIGCSEsyllabusandwilltaketheIGCSEexaminationattheendoftheyear.ThiscoursepreparesstudentsfortheIBDPstandardlevelandhigherlevelmathematicscourses.

Pure and Exploratory Extended Mathematics Grade 10This course represents the second half of a two-year course for students who have a good level of math-ematical interest and aptitude. The aim of this course is to offer students opportunities to engage in a more investigationalandmodelling-basedmathematicalexperienceratherthanthemoretraditionalcontentandskills oriented course. The topics covered include algebra, functions, statistics, trigonometry, and probability logarithmsandtruth;however,theapproachwillbemoreinvestigativeandopen-ended,allowingscopeforstudentstoundertakeprojectsinreal-lifesituations,crossingtraditionalsubjectareaboundarieswhileintegratingITintheprocess.Agraphicdisplaycalculatorisarequirementinthiscourse.StudentswhooptforthiscoursewillnotbeabletotaketheIGCSEexamination.ThiscoursepreparesstudentsfortheIBDPstandard level and higher level mathematics courses.

Grades 11 & 12

IB Mathematical Studies (SL only)Credits: 2This two-year course is aimed at preparing students for university courses that perhaps will not involve any furthermathematics(forexample,languagesandarts).ThereisnominimumentryrequirementforMath-

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ematical Studies. The course covers some foundation work in number and algebra as well as topics covering descriptive statistics, logic, sets and probability, statistical applications, geometry and trigonometry, math-ematical models, and an introduction to differential calculus. Students taking this course need to complete amathematicalproject,whichcountsfor20percentofthefinalgrade;however,thescopeofthisprojectcanbeverywide,allowingthestudentstofocusonanareaofinteresttothem.Agraphicdisplaycalculatorisarequirementinthiscourse.

IB Standard Level MathematicsCredits: 2This two-year course is aimed at preparing students for university level courses that may involve some math-ematics(forexample,socialsciences).Studentsenteringthiscourseshouldhavewell-developedskills inmathematics as the course is technical and demanding. The course covers a subset of the higher level con-tent and includes algebra, trigonometry, functions, calculus, statistics and probability, and vectors. In ad-dition,awrittenpieceofwork,knownasanexploration,needstobecompletedduringthecourse,asthiscountsfor20percentofthefinalIBDPgrade.Agraphicdisplaycalculatorisarequirementinthiscourse.

IB Higher Level MathematicsCredits: 2This two-year course is aimed at preparing students for courses at university level that will have a high math-ematicalcontent(forexample,engineering).Studentswhoenrollinthiscoursemusthaveahighlevelofmathematicalcompetency.Thecourseincludesalgebra,complexnumbers,trigonometry,functions,calcu-lus,statisticsandprobabilityandvectors.Anoptionaltopicmustalsobetakeningrade12,andthisallowsthe students the opportunity to delve more deeply into the chosen area. In addition, a written piece of work, knownasanexploration,mustbecompletedduringthecourse,asthiscountsfor20percentofthefinalIBDPgrade.Agraphicdisplaycalculatorisarequirementinthiscourse.

MODERN LANGUAGES

Grade 9

Japanese Foreign Level – Beginners Grade 9The four language skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) will be developed around the main themes ofeverydayactivitiesandpersonalandsociallife.Bytheendofthetwo-yearcoursestudentsshouldbeabletoexpressthemselvesinsimplesentencesaboutafamiliartheme,readandwriteHiragana,Katakana,andsomeKanji,engageinshortconversationsaroundarangeoffamiliarthemes,andwriteshortinformativepassages. The four language skills will be assessed through a variety of tasks using specific rubrics.

Japanese Foreign Level – Intermediate Grade 9The four language skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) will be developed around the main themes of everyday activities and personal and social life. Students will learn to write informative passages aboutafamiliarthemeandreadandwriteHiragana,Katakana,andanextensiveamountofKanji.Studentswill participate in simple group discussions related to social and teenage life and share their thoughts in writing. The four language skills will be assessed through a variety of tasks using specific rubrics.

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Japanese Foreign Level – Advanced Grade 9This course is designed for students who show a high level of competence in Japanese. The four language skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) will be developed around the main themes of everyday ac-tivities, personal and social life, and the international world. This course is meant to allow students to use the languagewithincreasingproficiency,includingtheuseofanextensiverangeofKanji.Studentslearntousethe spoken and written language effectively for purposes of practical communication in oral presentations and in writing. The four language skills will be assessed through a variety of tasks using specific rubrics. If interested,studentscansittheGCSEexaminationattheendofgrade10.

Spanish as a Foreign Language Grade 9 (beginners, beginners/intermediate)The four language skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) will be developed around the main themesofeverydayactivitiesandpersonalandsociallife.Bytheendofthecoursestudentsshouldbeabletoexpressthemselvesinsimplesentencesaboutafamiliartheme,engageinshortconversationsarounda range of familiar themes, and write short informative passages. The four language skills will be assessed through a variety of tasks using specific rubrics. Students who enroll in this course and continue in grade 10 willbeabletotaketheonlineAbInitioSpanishcoursein11thgrade.

French, Spanish as a Foreign Language Grade 9 Prerequisite: 2-3 years previous studyThe four language skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) will be developed around the main themes of everyday activities, personal and social life, and the international world. This course is meant to extendstudents’knowledgeofpastandfuturetenses,allowingthemtousethelanguagewithincreasingproficiency. Students learn to use the spoken and written language effectively for purposes of practical com-munication in oral presentations and in writing. The four language skills will be assessed through a variety oftasksusingspecificrubrics.Ifinterested,studentscansittheIGCSEexaminationattheendofgrade10.

Japanese Native Level Grade 9Theobjectiveof thiscourse is toprovidestudentswiththe linguisticskillsnecessarytoreadandunder-stand a wide range of materials covering literature, culture, society, and issues pertaining to man and envi-ronment.Themesincludethefollowing:readingnewspapersandexpressingopinionsaboutsocialissues;learningidiomaticphrasesincludingproverbs,adages,andsayings,four-kanjicompoundwords,grammar,andhonorificforms;andwritingopinionsonsocialissues.Emphasisisplaceduponreadingandwriting.As-sessment will be made through a variety of assessment tasks using specific rubrics.

Grade 10

Japanese Foreign Level –Intermediate Grade 10 The four language skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) will be developed around the main themes of everyday activities and personal and social life. The students will learn to write informative pas-sagesaboutafamiliarthemeandreadandwriteHiragana,Katakana,andanextensiveamountofKanji.Stu-dents will participate in simple group discussions related to social and teenage life and share their thoughts in writing. The four language skills will be assessed through a variety of tasks using specific rubrics.

Japanese Foreign Level – Advanced Grade 10This course is designed for students who show a high level of competence in Japanese. The four language skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) will be developed around the main themes of everyday activities, personal and social life, and the international world. This course is meant to allow the students to usethelanguagewithincreasingproficiency,includingtheuseofanextensiverangeofKanji.Thestudentslearn to use the spoken and written language effectively for purposes of practical communication in oral

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presentations and in writing. The four language skills will be assessed through a variety of tasks using spe-cificrubrics.Ifinterested,studentscansittheGCSEexaminationattheendofgrade10.

Spanish as a Foreign Language Grade 10 (beginners, beginners/intermediate)The four language skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) will be developed around the main themesofeverydayactivitiesandpersonalandsociallife.Bytheendofthecoursestudentsshouldbeabletoexpressthemselvesinsimplesentencesaboutafamiliartheme,engageinshortconversationsarounda range of familiar themes, and write short informative passages. The four language skills will be assessed through a variety of tasks using specific rubrics. Students who enroll in this course will be able to take the onlineAbInitioSpanishcoursein11thgrade.

French, Spanish as a Foreign Language Grade 10The four language skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) will be developed around the main themes of everyday activities, personal and social life, the world around us, and the international world. This courseismeanttoconsolidateandextendthestudents’knowledgeofpastandfuturetenses,allowingthemtousethelanguagewithincreasingproficiency.Bytheendofthecoursethestudentsshouldbeabletousethe spoken and written language effectively for purposes of practical communication in oral presentations and in writing, and they will have developed the four language skills to a level that will allow them to sit the IGCSEexamination.Thefourlanguageskillswillbeassessedthroughavarietyoftasksusingspecificrubrics.

Japanese Native Level Grade 10Theobjectiveofthiscourseistoprovidethestudentswiththelinguisticskillsnecessarytoreadandunder-stand a wide range of materials covering literature, culture, society, and issues pertaining to man and envi-ronment.Themesincludethefollowing:readingnewspapersandexpressingopinionsaboutsocialissues;learningidiomaticphrasesincludingproverbs,adages,andsayings,four-kanjicompoundwords,grammar,andhonorificforms;andwritingopinionsonsocialissues.Attheendofthecoursestudentswillhavedevel-opedtheabilitytoanalyzelongerandmoredifficulttextsaswellastheskillstocommunicatemorecomplexideastoalevelthatwillallowthemtositfortheIGCSEexamination.Emphasisisplaceduponreadingandwriting.Assessmentwillbemadethroughavarietyoftasksusingspecificrubrics.

Grades 11 & 12

IB Japanese Ab Initio (SL only)Credits: 2The Japanese language ab initio course is a language learning course for beginners, designed to be followed overtwoyearsbystudentswhohavelittleornopreviousexperienceoflearningthetargetlanguage.Themain focusof thecourse isontheacquisitionof languagerequired forpurposesandsituationsusual ineveryday social interaction. The course aims to develop the four language skills and a basic awareness of the culture through the study of the core syllabus. The syllabus contains the following themes: the individual, educationandwork,townandservices,theenvironment,health,etc.Attheendofthecoursestudentswillhave developed an ability to communicate effectively in a limited range of situations.

IB Language B: French, Spanish, German, Japanese (HL and SL)Credits: 2Mostlyavailableatbothhigherandstandardlevels,theLanguageBcoursesoccupythemiddlegroundofthe group 2 modern languages spectrum and are language-learning courses for students with some previ-ousexperienceoflearningthetargetlanguage.Themainfocusofthesecoursesisonlanguageacquisitionandthedevelopmentofskillsconsiderablybeyondthoseexpectedofanabinitiocandidate,uptoafairly

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sophisticateddegreeathigher level. LanguageBcoursesgive students theopportunity to reachahighdegreeofcompetenceinalanguageandexploretheculture(s)usingthelanguage.Thecoursesprovideanintegratedstudyofgrammar,literatureandculturalaspects.Attheendofthesecoursesstudentswillhavedeveloped an ability to communicate clearly and effectively in a range of situations. Students in the higher levelcourseswilldemonstratetheabilitytocommunicatemorecomplexideasandtheabilitytoanalyzelongerandmoredifficulttexts.Theywillalsoengageinanin-depthstudyofafewliterarytexts.

IB Language A: Japanese, German Language and Literature (HL and SL)Credits: 2LanguageA: LanguageandLiterature is a course focusingondevelopinganunderstandingof thecon-structed nature of meanings generated by language. Two parts of the course relate to the study of language and two to the study of literature. This course is designed for students with a very high level of proficiency in thetargetlanguage.TheLanguageAcourses(SLandHL)focusonrefiningstudents’languageskillsthroughanalysisofliterarytextsandarticlesrelatedtoculturaltopics.Studentswilllearntorecognizeandanalyzeaspects of style and register and to incorporate these aspects in their own writing. The students will need to use the target language accurately and show a high level of proficiency.

SCIENCE

Grade 9

Science 9 The course comprises a range of topics taught in chemistry, biology, and physics. The focus for learning will be on knowledge and understanding, reasoning, and attitudes in science. The course provides students with op-portunitiestodeveloptheskillsassociatedwithbothconceptualandexperimentalaspectsofthesubjects.Italsoaims to make students aware of the responsibilities of practicing scientists in the discipline. Formative and summative assessments are used throughout the course, composed of class activities including lab work andhomework.Topictestsaregivenregularlytoreinforcestudyandexamskills.

Grade 10

Science 10The course continues with the study of a range of topics taught in chemistry, biology, and physics. The fo-cus for learning will be on knowledge and understanding, reasoning, and attitudes in science. The course providesstudentswithopportunitiestodeveloptheskillsassociatedwithbothconceptualandexperimen-talaspectsofthesubjects.Italsoaimstomakestudentsawareoftheresponsibilitiesofpracticingscientistsin the discipline. Formative and summative assessments are used throughout the course, composed of class activities including labworkandhomework.Topic testsaregiven regularly to reinforcestudyandexamskills.StudentswhocompletethiscoursewillbewellpreparedforanyoftheIBDPsciencecourses.

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Grades 11 & 12

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (SL only)Credits: 2ThemajortopicscoveredintheEnvironmentalSystemsandSocietiescourseincludethestructureandfunc-tionof ecosystems,populationdynamics,biodiversity, andhumanuseof resources. Pollution, includingglobalwarming,isanemphasis.Thiscoursecountsasagroup3or4subject.Studentswillbeencouragedtodeveloptheirknowledgeoftheconceptsandtheskillsrequiredforexperimentalworkinthesubject.Duringthecourse,studentsareexpectedtodesignandcarryoutawiderangeofexperiments,dataanaly-sisexercisesandcasestudies.Theinternalassessmentcomponentconsistsofexperimentalworkcomplet-ed during the course. Formative and summative tasks will involve the design, analysis, and evaluation of experimentalwork.Studentsarealsoassessedusingarangeofsubject-relatedtasksandIBDPexaminationmaterial throughout the course.

IB Biology (HL and SL)Credits: 2ThemajortopicscoveredintheBiologycourseincludeaspectsofcellbiology,biochemistry,ecology,hu-man health, and physiology. Students will be encouraged to develop their knowledge of the concepts and theskillsrequiredforexperimentalworkinthesubject.Duringthecourse,studentsareexpectedtodesignandcarryoutawiderangeofexperiments,dataanalysisexercises,andextendedwritingtasks.Theinternalassessmentcomponentconsistsofexperimentalworkcompletedduringthecourse.Formativeandsumma-tivetaskswillinvolvethedesign,analysis,andevaluationofexperimentalwork.Studentsarealsoassessedusingarangeofsubject-relatedtasksandIBDPexaminationmaterialthroughoutthecourse.

IB Chemistry (HL and SL)Credits: 2ThemajortopicscoveredintheChemistrycourseincludethermodynamics,kinetics,equilibrium,electro-chemistry, and organic chemistry, with option topics of food chemistry, medicines and drugs, and human biochemistry. Students will be encouraged to develop their knowledge of the concepts and the skills re-quiredforexperimentalworkinthesubject.Duringthecourse,studentsareexpectedtodesignandcarryoutawiderangeofexperiments,dataanalysisexercises,andextendedwritingtasks.Theinternalassess-mentcomponentconsistsofexperimentalworkcompletedduringthecourse.Formativeandsummativetaskswillinvolvethedesign,analysis,andevaluationofexperimentalwork.StudentsarealsoassessedusingarangeofsubjectrelatedtasksandIBDPexaminationmaterialthroughoutthecourse.

IB Physics (HL and SL) Credits: 2ThemajortopicscoveredinthePhysicscourseincludemeasurement,mechanics,thermalphysics,waves,electricity, astrophysics, climate change, and atomic and nuclear physics. Students will be encouraged to de-veloptheirknowledgeoftheconceptsandtheskillsrequiredforexperimentalworkinthesubject.Duringthecourse,studentsareexpectedtodesignandcarryoutawiderangeofexperiments,dataanalysisexer-cises,andextendedwritingtasks.Theinternalassessmentcomponentconsistsofexperimentalworkcom-pleted during the course. Formative and summative tasks will involve the design, analysis and evaluation of experimentalwork.StudentsarealsoassessedusingarangeofsubjectrelatedtasksandIBDPexaminationmaterial throughout the course.

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SOCIAL SCIENCES

Grade 9

Individuals & Societies Grade 9Individuals & Societies is a two year interdisciplinary course, created by YIS for our students, which intro-duces and develops students’ understanding of and skills in a range of social sciences, notably history, ge-ography, government, economics, and business. of and skills in a range of social sciences, notably history, geography,government,economics,andbusiness.ThecourseisMYPinitsoutlookanddesign,examiningabroadrangeofkeyquestions:Do leadersmakehistoryordoeshistorymake leaders?Whogoverns? Ishumanconsumptionsustainable?Peopleversusprofit?Istheworldgettingsmaller?Development,nation-alism, globalization, and systems are the course’s core overriding concepts. The course is designed to be academicallyrigorousandprovidestudentswithanexcellentintroductiontoandgroundinginthegroup3IBDPcourses:History,Geography,andEconomics.

Grade 10

Individuals & Societies Grade 10Individuals&Societiesisanexcitinginterdisciplinarycourse,createdbyYISandnewinAugust2011,whichintroduces and develops students’ understanding of and skills in a range of social sciences, notably history, geography,government,economics,andbusiness.ThecourseisMYPinitsoutlookanddesign,examiningabroadrangeofkeyquestions:Do leadersmakehistoryordoeshistorymake leaders?Whogoverns? Ishumanconsumptionsustainable?Peopleversusprofit?Istheworldgettingsmaller?Development,nation-alism, globalization, and systems are the course’s core overriding concepts. The course is designed to be academicallyrigorousandprovidestudentswithanexcellentintroductiontoandgroundinginthegroup3IBDPcourses:History,Geography,andEconomics.

Grades 11 & 12

IB Geography (HL and SL)Credits: 2TheIBGeographycurriculumcoversanumberoftopicsinthreemainareas:patternsandchange,optionalthemes,andglobalinteractions.Allstudentscoverthefirsttwoareas,whiletheglobalinteractionssectionisonlyforstudentstakinggeographyatthehigherlevel.Throughthecurriculumcontentthissubjectaimstoenable students to develop an understanding of the interrelationships between people, places, spaces, and theenvironment,developaconcernforhumanwelfareandthequalityoftheenvironment,appreciatetherelevance of geography in analyzing contemporary issues and challenges, and develop a global perspective ofdiversityandchange.Therearefourassessmentobjectivesforthiscourse:demonstrateknowledgeandunderstanding of specified content, demonstrate application and analysis of knowledge and understand-ing, demonstrate synthesis and evaluation, and select, use, and apply a variety of appropriate skills and techniques.Allstudentswillwritetwoexaminationsandsubmitonefieldworkreport.Higherlevelstudentswillwriteathirdexamination.

IB History (HL and SL)Credits: 2ThismodernworldhistorycourseexaminescommunismincrisisinbothChinaandtheUSSR,theColdWar,authoritarian rulers such as Stalin, Hitler and Mao, causes, practices and effects of the two world wars and

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otherproxywars,whilefocusingindepthonthetransformationsofChinaandJapan.Higherorderthinkingskills are developed through engaging classroom activities. The course aims to promote an understanding of history through an understanding of the impact of historical developments at national, regional, and international levels, and to develop an awareness of one’s own historical identity through the study of the historicalexperiencesofdifferentcultures.IBDPassessmentismadeupoftwoexampapersforstandardlevelstudentsandthreeexampapersforhigherlevelstudents,aswellasaninternalassessment.Externallysetandmarkedexamsrequirestudentstoundertakesourceanalysisaswellascomposestructuredandextendedresponsesbasedonthevarioustopicsstudiedoverthetwo-yearcourse.Theinternalassessmenttakes the form of an historical investigation.

IB Economics (HL and SL)Credits: 2Economics is a dynamic social science dealing with concepts such as scarcity, resource allocation, ethics, decision-making,environmentalsustainability,andglobalization.Allstudentswillstudytheoriesfromthefourmainpillarsofthesubject:microeconomics,macroeconomics,internationaleconomics,anddevelop-menteconomics.Higher levelstudentscoverextensiontopicswithaddeddepthandbreadth, includingtheory of the firm, game theory, and absolute and comparative advantage. However, all these are not stud-iedinavacuum;rathertheyareappliedtorealworldissues.Thecourseencouragesstudentstodevelopatrulyinternationalperspectivewhileraisingawarenessoftheirownresponsibilitiesasglobalcitizens.As-sessmentismadeupoftwoexampapersforstandardlevelstudentsandthreeforhigherlevelstudents.Theexamsrequirestudentstocompletedataresponsequestionsandwriteextendedresponses.Inaddition,allstudentswillcompleteaportfolioofinternalassessments.Whilenotaprerequisite,astrongmathematicsbackground can make elements of the higher level course more accessible.

ARTS

Grade 9

Visual Arts Grade 9This course aims to develop students’ critical thinking skills and a more proactive role in their own learning. Studentslearntoexpressopinionsandanalyzethecharacteristicsoftheirownartworkandthatofothersusingsubject-specificvocabularyintheirdevelopmentalworkbook.Studentswillproduceavarietyofworkin different media, including observational drawing and digital graphic design. Students in this course will haveampleopportunity forexploring theory,discussion,presentations,and feedback.Theywillpresenttheir own work to their peers and will engage in ongoing meaningful critical discourse. Students maintain a record of all completed work on their blogs, which can include planning, peer presentations, and assess-mentexercises.

Music Grade 9This course is designed to introduce students to various aspects of the music curriculum. The emphasis of thiscourseisonpracticalmusicmakingandcreativity;itinvolveslistening,performing,andcomposing.Astudy of a wide variety of musical styles and genres enables students to learn how to further their apprecia-tionandenjoymentofmusic.Basicmusictheoryandmusicaltermsaretaught,aswellasmoreadvancedmusical knowledgeappropriate to each topic covered. All topics involve composition tasks indifferentstyles,andstudentsareencouragedtodeveloptheirpersonalcreativeskillsasmuchaspossible.Arecord

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oftheirstudy,research,andreflectionismaintainedinthedevelopmentalworkbook.Allstudents,whethercompletebeginnersorexperiencedmusicians,aregiventheopportunitytodevelopinstrumental,vocal,and choral skills through individual and group performances. Students participate in regular classroom per-formances and perform in public concerts and at special school occasions.

Japanese Music Grade 9This course is designed for students interested in learning a traditional Japanese musical instrument (13-string koto, 17-string koto or shamisen). Students work on solo and ensemble musical compositions aswellasfocusonJapanesemusictheory.Toprovidebalance,studentsalsoexplorewesterntheory,musichistoryandotherworldmusics.Acompositionprojectisanotherimportantpartofthecourse.Allstudentsareexpectedtoparticipateinregularlyscheduledconcerts.Studentswhohavenothadpreviousexperienceon a Japanese instrument are recommended to supplement their class lessons with additional study after school.

Drama Grade 9Thiscourseisessentiallypractical,butthestudentwillbeexpectedtokeepanonlinejournaloftheirex-plorationofdramainclass.Studentswillcreatedevisedworkforperformanceandworkfromplaytexts,practicallyunderstandingdramaconcepts suchas status, tension, focus; and seeinghowmeaningandatmospherecanbepresentedtoanaudience.Theclasswillalsoexploretechnicalandpracticalelementsof theater such as lighting, make-up, prop making, and set design, although the emphasis is on the de-velopmentofwell-roundeddramapractitioners,bothonandoffstage.Assessmentrequirementsincludepracticalcoursework,suchasimprovisedscenework,technicaltheatreplans,writtenresearchprojectsandproduction of a one act play.

Grade 10

Visual Arts Grade 10This course aims to develop students’ creative and critical thinking skills to a more advanced level to al-low them to take responsibility for their own learning. Students will learn how to develop personal art and design work through an intensive creative process of research and idea in their developmental workbook. Duringthisprocesstheywillexpressopinionsandanalyzethecharacteristicsofartworkandtheirideasus-ingsubject-specificvocabulary.Studentswillalsoworkonfiguredrawingadoptingavarietyofmediaandapproaches. Students present their work to their peers and engage in regular meaningful critical discourse. Arecordofallcompletedworkismaintainedonstudentblogs.

Music Grade 10This course is designed to further build on students’ knowledge, understanding, and skills in the music cur-riculumandfurtherpreparethemtotakeIBDPMusicingrade11.Theemphasisofthiscourseisonpracticalmusicmakingandcreativity;itinvolveslistening,performing,theory,analysis,worldmusic,andcomposing.Astudyofawidevarietyofmusicalstylesandgenresenablesstudentstolearnhowtofurthertheirappre-ciationandenjoymentofmusic.Musictheoryandmusicaltermsaretaught,aswellasmoreadvancedmusi-calknowledgeappropriatetoeachtopiccovered.Alltopicsinvolvevariouscompositiontasksindifferentstyles,andstudentsareencouragedtodeveloptheirpersonalcreativeskillsasmuchaspossible.Arecordoftheirstudy,researchandreflectionismaintainedinthedevelopmentalworkbook.Allstudents,whethercompletebeginnersorexperiencedmusicians,aregiventheopportunitytodevelopasaperformerthroughindividual and group performances. Students participate in regular classroom performances and perform in public concerts and at special school occasions.

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Japanese Music Grade 10Thiscourse isdesignedfortheseriousmusicstudentwho is lookingto improvehis/herskillsonaJapa-nesemusicalinstrumentinpreparationforIBDPMusic.Inthisperformance-drivenensembleclass,studentswork on advanced solo and ensemble compositions. This class also focuses on Japanese music theory and composition.Toprovidebalance,studentsexplorewesterntheory,musichistoryandotherworldmusics.Acompositionprojectandworkinmusicanalysisareotherimportantpartsofthecourse.Allstudentsareexpectedtoparticipateinregularlyscheduledconcerts.Studentswhohavenothadpreviousexperienceona Japanese instrument are strongly recommended to supplement their class lessons with additional study

after school.

Drama Grade 10Thiscourseinvestigateswaysofcreatingdevisedworkforperformance;workingfromtext;writingevalua-tionsaboutthecreativeprocess;understandingdramaticconceptssuchasstatus,tensionandfocus;beingawareoftheatricalstyles,socialissuesandmixedmedia,e.g.,aphotoasstimuliforplotdevelopment;us-ingsuitableapproachesinrehearsaltointerpretingthestimuli;knowingtherationaleforaestheticchoicesyouhavemade;andseeinghowmeaningandatmospherecanbepresentedtoanaudience.Assessmentrequirementsincludepracticalcourseworksuchasmajorgroupdevisedandmonologueperformancesanddirectorial seminars based on practical work done in class.

Grades 11 & 12

IB Visual Arts (HL and SL)Credits: 2This course aims to develop students’ understanding and appreciation of art from local and other cultural sources. Critical thinking skills are developed to an advanced level, suitable for college. This is achieved by equippingstudentstotakeresponsibilityforandplayaproactiveroleintheirownlearning.Studentsre-searchvariousartistsandculturesinreferencetotheirownideasandexplorehowtosynthesizetheseinflu-ences with their own ideas. They develop their own work with personal relevance in the investigation work-book. This course is student led, as students choose their own topics, research, and media, and engage in regularcriticaldiscourse.Studentsexperimentandproduceavarietyofworkindifferentmedia,continuallyattemptingtoimproveandvarytheirapproachandtheirtechnicallevelinmediathroughexperimentationandpractice.Allworkisrecordedintheirownpersonaldigitalportfolio.Thefinalexaminationisarecordedinterviewconductedbytheteacherinfrontofanexhibitionofthestudent’sstudiowork.Overallassessmentis based on both investigative and studio work.

IB Music (HL and SL)Credits: 2Studentsshouldbepreparedforarigorousyetexcitingcoursecoveringmusictheory,musichistory,worldmusic,analysisandperformance.Avariedrangeofactivitieswillbeintroducedtoencouragestudentstoengage with music from different times, places, and cultures, critically appraise music and use appropriate musicalterminology,developtechniquesforcomparativeanalysis,developinvestigativeandthinkingskills,learn to create music, learn to perform music, work both independently and collaboratively, and develop reflectiontechniquestohelpthemimprovetheirperformanceovertime.Thiscoursehasrigorousstandardswithbothinternalandexternalassessment.Externalassessmentsincludeamusicallinksinvestigationandwritten listening paper. Internal assessments evaluate creating and performance and are then monitored externally.Studentsconsideringthiscourseathigherlevelshouldhaveseveralyearsofperformanceexperi-ence (vocal or instrumental) and a good understanding of music theory.

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IB Theater (HL and SL)Credits: 2The essence of this course is to participate in a wide range of theater activities, such as improvisation, set makessence of this course is to participate in a wide range of theater activities, such as improvisation, techni-calproduction,andactingtechniques.Studentswillbecomefamiliarwithformsoftheaterfromtheirownandotherculturesandwillkeepajournaltoexploreandexperimentindividuallyandcollaboratively.Theywillalsoexploredifferenttheatertraditions,suchasCommediadellArte(Italy),WayangKulit(Indonesia)andMasquerade(Africa).Thisisanacademiccourse,where,inadditiontopracticalandtechnicalwork(inper-formance),scholasticskillssuchaswritingacritique,pitchingadirectorialvision,andreflectingondramaticachievementswillrequirethatstudentsbecomecriticaltheaterpractitioners.Internalassessmentsincludeavarietyofpracticalexperiencesineachfacetoftheater,e.g.,acting,lighting,etc.,andwrittenprojectsandvisual plans.

IB Dance (SL)Credits: 2Danceisauniquemediumforlearningaboutone’sselfandtheworld.Itisoneessentialcomponentofartistic,aestheticandculturaleducation,anddevelopscreativepotentialthroughphysicalexpression.TheIBDancecurriculumaimsforaholisticapproachtodance,andembracesavarietyoftraditionsanddancecultures.CompositionandAnalysis,PerformanceandawrittenWorldDanceInvestigationarethecom-ponents of this course. The course is constructed so that all students are given opportunities to study a varietyofworlddancetraditionsthroughexposuretophysicalpracticeandobservationaswellaswritteninvestigation.Examiningdancefrombothfamiliarandunfamiliarculturesand/ortraditionsdevelopscom-parative thinking skills and deepens understanding of one‘s own culture(s) as well as those of others.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Grades 9 & 10

Physical Education Grades 9-10

Buildinguponthefundamentalstaught inthemiddleschoolPEprogram,theaimofthehighschoolPEprogram at YIS is to develop a combination of transferable skills promoting physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development, and to encourage present and future choices that contribute to long-term healthy livingandfitnessforlife.Anadvancedemphasisisplaceduponrecognizedsportsandtheirrulesandatheo-retical analysis of physical education concepts. The development of a student’s well-being is implicitly and explicitlyaddressedthroughavarietyofareasofthecurriculumandareasofinteraction,underpinnedbytheIBOstudentlearnerprofile.Studentsingrades9and10have2doubleperiodsaweek.Contentincludesoutdoor and indoor invasion games, movement composition, track and field, net games, individual pursuits, and striking and fielding games. This content aims to develop student locomotor, gross and fine motor skills,hand-eye/foot-eyecoordination,andhealthrelatedfitnessskillsinanappliedsettingthroughgames,sportandphysicalchallenges.ThePEprogramalsocontributestoastudent’spersonalandsocialeducation,providingopportunitiesforcooperation,self-reflection,teamwork,decision-makingandproblemsolving.AvarietyofassessmenttechniquesareusedtoevaluatestudentdevelopmentinPE,suchasvideoanalysis,teacher observation and peer assessment. Student blogs will serve as an ongoing ‘Electronic Sportfolio’, in-corporatingreflectionsandaudio-visualwork.Inaddition,studentsingrades9and10willhaveoneperiodofPersonal,SocialandHealthEducation(PSHE)perweekattachedtotheirPEclass.PSHEisavaluesbasedcore element addressing a wide range of topics including interpersonal relationships, personal safety, and injuryprevention,nutrition,substanceabuse,andhumangrowthanddevelopment.

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Grades 11 & 12

Physical Education Grades 11-12ThecourseisdesignedtoprovideaphysicaloutlettohelpcopewiththerigorsoftheacademicIBcurricu-lum. Much research suggests that students who participate in regular physical activity are better able to copewithanxietyandstressandevenimproveacademicperformance.Studentsaregiventheopportunityto choose a variety of electives such as soccer, basketball, pilates, yoga, and table tennis. Their performance is not assessed, but attendance is mandatory to achieve a pass grade on their transcript.

TECHNOLOGY

Grade 9

Technology Grade 9Thegrade9DesignTechnologycourseisdesignedtoallowstudentstoexplorethecreativeusesoftech-nology,withinthestructureofthedesigncycle.Althoughtheemphasisofclassworkisonprocessoverproduct,thecoursetakesonanumberofpracticaldesignprojectsandusesthedesigncycletoworkthrough them. Students are encouraged to investigate different applications and issues of technology and design within society.

Grade 10

Technology Grade 10Thegrade10DesignTechnologycourseisdesignedtoallowstudentstofurtherexplorethecreativeandcriticalusesoftechnology,withinthestructureofthedesigncycle.Althoughtheemphasisofclassworkisonprocessoverproduct,thecoursetakesonanumberofpracticaldesignprojectsandusesthedesigncycle to work through them. Students are encouraged to investigate different applications and issues of technology and design within their individual lives and within society.

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Online Learning Program

In the 2013-14 academic year, YIS will offer a limited number of grade 11 and 12 students the option of tak-ingoneoftheirIBcoursesonline.Thesecoursesprovidestudentswithanopportunitytolearninatrulyglobalclassroom,asteachersandclassmatesarefromotherIBschoolsaroundtheworld,andextendtheoptions available to students.

Enrollment Limitations and Selection Criteria

Enrollment in the online courses is limited. Decisions on who can opt for online learning will be made on a case-by-casebasis,withthefollowingconditions,butnotexclusively,takenintoaccount:

•ThedesiredcourseisofferedatYISbutisoversubscribed.

•ThecourseisneededforgraduationoracollegeprerequisiteandisnotofferedbyYIS.

•ThestudenthasdifficultyfindingathirdhigherlevelcourseamongYIScourseoptions.

•Thestudent’steachersandtutorshavedeterminedthatheorsheisabletotakeonthechallengeof independent online work.

Please Note:Astudentmayonlytakeoneonlinecourse.Parentsmustsignaconsentformtoauthorizeonline learning.

CreditsYISwillacceptcreditsearnedthroughonlinelearningandcountthemtowardsgraduation.AnonlinereportwillbeseparatefromtheoneissuedbyYISandmaybereportedatdifferenttimesthantheYISreports;how-ever, all online courses will appear on the student’s YIS transcript. For transcript purposes, online term one and two will count toward the YIS semester one transcript and online term three and four will count toward the YIS semester two transcript.

CostThe cost of these courses will be covered by YIS. Funding considerations may be reviewed for online

offerings in the future.

Online IBDP Courses Available

IB Business & Management SLCredits: 2TheBusinessandManagementSLcourseaimstohelpstudentsunderstandthe implicationsofbusinessactivity in a global market. It is designed to give students an international perspective on business and to promote their appreciation of cultural diversity in the business environment. The ideals of international co-operation and responsible citizenship are at the heart of the course, which encourages the appreciation of ethical concerns and issues of social responsibility in the global business environment. Students should be able to make sense of the forces and circumstances that drive and restrain change in an interdependent and multicultural world. The course will contribute to students’ development as critical and effective participants in local and world affairs.

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IB Economics (HL and SL)Credits: 2 Economics is a dynamic social science, forming part of the study of individuals and societies. The study of economicshasmanyfacets,andthisisreflectedinthebroadscopeofSLandHLcourses.Atitscore,eco-nomics is concerned with the concept of scarcity and problems of resource allocation. Students will analyze howmarketsfunctionandthewaysinwhichmarketfactorsandgovernmentpoliciesinfluenceunemploy-ment,inflation,andeconomicgrowth.Theywillalsoconsidereconomictheoryinthecontextsofmicroeco-nomics, macroeconomics, international, and developmental economics. The scientific approach character-izes the standard methodology of economics, featuring a progression from problem identification, through hypothesis formulation and testing, and arriving finally at a conclusion.

The HL course in economics differs from the SL course in terms of the hours devoted to teaching (240 hours forHLcomparedto150hoursforSL)andtheextradepthandbreadthofstudyrequiredforHLthroughtheinclusionof“extensiontopics.”

Thesecoursesalsodifferwithregardtothenumberofexternalassessmentcomponents(threeexaminationpapersforHL,twoexaminationpapersforSL)andtheweightingoftheexaminationquestions.

IB Film SLCredits: 2 Film is both a powerful communication medium and an art form. The IB film course aims to developstudents’ skills so they become adept both in interpreting others’ work and in creating their own films.Throughthestudyandanalysisoffilmtextsandexercisesinfilmmaking,theIBfilmcourseexploresfilmtheory and history. The course will develop students’ critical abilities, enabling them to appreciate the mul-tiplicity of cultural and historical perspectives in film.

Students are encouraged to develop the professional and technical skills (including organizational skills) neededtoexpressthemselvescreativelyinfilm.TheIBfilmcourseemphasisestheimportanceofworkingindividually and as a member of a group.

AtthecoreofIBfilmisaconcernwithclarityofunderstanding,criticalthinking,reflectiveanalysis,effectiveinvolvement and imaginative synthesis achieved through practical engagement in the art and craft of film.

IB Information Technology in a Global Society (HL and SL)Credits: 2 This course involves the study and evaluation of the impact of information technology (IT) on individuals andsociety.Thecourseexplorestheadvantagesanddisadvantagesof“digitalculture”andprovidesaframe-workforthestudenttomakeinformedjudgementsanddecisionsabouttheuseofITwithincontemporarysocialcontexts.ITGSoffersstudentsanopportunityforsystematicstudyofarangeoftechnological,social,and ethical issues which fall outside the scope of any single discipline.

The course develops students’ understanding of the capabilities of current and emerging IT systems and the impact of these systems on a range of stakeholders. Students are encouraged to apply their knowledge ofexistingITsystemstovariousscenariosandtomakeinformedjudgementsabouttheeffectsofITdevel-opmentsonthesescenarios.Furthermore,studentsarerequiredtousetheirknowledgeofITsystemsandpracticalITskillstojustifyITsolutionsforaspecifiedclientorend-user.

Inhigherlevel,studentsstudytwoextensiontopics:“ITsystemsinorganizations”and“robotics,artificialin-telligenceandexpertsystems.”Thecoursehasanadditionalexternallyassessedcomponentthatcomprisesapreviouslyseencasestudybasedonafictitiousorganization;thisallowsstudentstoresearchvariousas-pectsofthesubject,whichmayincludenewtechnicalconceptsandadditionalsubjectcontent,ingreaterdepth.

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IB Mandarin Ab Initio SL, IB Spanish Ab Initio SLCredits: 2 The ab initio course is a language learning course for beginners, designed to be followed over two years by studentswhohavelittleornopreviousexperienceoflearningthetargetlanguage.Themainfocusofthecoursesisontheacquisitionoflanguagerequiredforpurposesandsituationsusualineverydaysocialinter-action. The ab initio language courses aim to develop the four language skills and a basic awareness of the culture through the study of the core syllabus. The syllabus contains the following themes: the individual, educationandwork,townandservices,theenvironment,health,etc.Attheendofthesecoursesstudentswill have developed an ability to communicate effectively in a limited range of situations.

IB Philosophy SLCredits: 2 TheemphasisoftheIBPhilosophycourseisverymuchondoingphilosophy.Studentsdeveloptheirskillsthroughthestudyofphilosophicalthemesandtheclosereadingofphilosophicaltexts.Theyalsolearntoapplytheirphilosophicalknowledgeandskillstoreal-lifeexamplesorsituationsandhownon-philosophicalmaterialcanbetreatedinaphilosophicalway.Philosophicalquestionsareexploredthroughanexaminationofthemesandtexts.Studentslearnthroughtools,suchascriticalandsystematicthinking,carefulanalysisand evaluation, and construction of arguments. Students are challenged to develop their own philosophical voice and independence of thought.

IBPhilosophyaimstobringthesubjectofphilosophyalive,gainingasenseofitsrichnessandpracticalvalueindailylifeandexpandingourappreciationofourselvesandtheworldaroundus.Itteachesusnotwhattothink,buthowtothink.Byparticipatinginthegreatphilosophicaldebates,studentswilldeveloptheirskillsofrigorousreasoning;bystudy,analysisandcriticismofthegreatworksofphilosophy,ancientandmodern,studentswilldeveloptheircapacitytomakereasonedjudgmentsforthemselves.

IB Psychology SL Credits: 2IBPsychologyadoptsanintegrativeapproach-lookingattheinteractionbetweenbiological,cognitive,andsocioculturalinfluencesonhumanbehavior.Itenablesstudentstoachievegreaterunderstandingofthem-selves and to appreciate the diversity of human behavior. The ethical concerns raised by the methodology and application of psychological research are key considerations.

The course takes a holistic approach which fosters intercultural understanding and respect. In the core of the course, the biological level of analysis demonstrates what all humans share, whereas the cognitive and sociocultural levelsof analysis reveal the immensediversityof influences thatproducehumanbehaviorandmentalprocesses.Culturaldiversityisexploredandstudentsareencouragedtodevelopempathyforthe feelings, needs, and lives of others within and outside their own culture. This empathy contributes to an international understanding.

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YokohamaInternationalSchool

258 Yamate-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, 231-0862 Japan

Phone:+81-(0)45-622-0084Fax:+81-(0)45-621-0379

www.yis.ac.jpyis@yis.ac.jp