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IB DP- History

History is a dynamic, contested, evidence-based discipline that involves an exciting engagement with the past. History is an exploratory subject that fosters a sense of inquiry. It is also an interpretive discipline, allowing opportunity for engagement with multiple perspectives and opinions. Studying history develops an understanding of the past, which leads to a deeper understanding of the nature of humans and of the world today.

The DP history course is a world history course based on a comparative and multi-perspective approach to history. It involves the study of a va-riety of types of history, including political, economic, social and cultural, and provides a balance of structure and flexibility. The course emphasizes the importance of encouraging students to think historically and to develop historical skills as well as gaining factual knowledge. It puts a premium on developing the skills of critical think-ing, and on developing an understanding of multiple interpretations of history. In this way, the course involves a challenging and demanding critical exploration of the past. Teachers explicitly teach thinking and re-search skills such as comprehension, text analysis, transfer, and use of primary sources.

There are six key concepts that have particular prominence throughout the DP history course:

  • Change
  • Continuity
  • Causation
  • Consequence
  • Significance
  • Perspectives.

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Aims of the Course

The aims of the DP history course are to enable students to-

  • Develop an understanding of, and continuing interest in, the past
  • Encourage students to engage with multiple perspectives and to appreciate the complex nature of historical concepts, issues, events and developments
  • Promote international-mindedness through the study of history from more than one region of the world
  • Develop an understanding of history as a discipline and to develop historical consciousness including a sense of chronology and context, and an understanding of different historical perspectives
  • Develop key historical skills, including engaging effectively with sources
  • Increase students’ understanding of themselves and of contemporary society by encouraging reflection on the past.

Curriculum Model Overview

Prescribed subjects
One of the following, using two case studies, each taken from a different region of the world:

  1. Military leaders
  2. Conquest and its impact
  3. The move to global war
  4. Rights and protest
  5. Conflict and intervention
    Recommended teaching hours- 40/SL, 40/HL

World history topics
Two of the following, using topic examples from more than one region of the world:

  1. Society and economy (750–1400)
  2. Causes and effects of wars (750–1500)
  3. Dynasties and rulers (750–1500)
  4. Societies in transition (1400–1700)
  5. Early Modern states (1450–1789)
  6. Causes and effects of Early Modern wars (1500–1750)
  7. Origins, development and impact of industrialization (1750–2005)
  8. Independence movements (1800–2000)
  9. Emergence and development of democratic states (1848–2000)
  10. Authoritarian states (20th century)
  11. Causes and effects of 20th-century wars
  12. The Cold War: Superpower tensions and rivalries (20th century)
    Recommended teaching hours- 90/SL, 90/HL

HL options: Depth studies
One of the following:

  1. History of Africa and the Middle East
  2. History of the Americas
  3. History of Asia and Oceania
  4. History of Europe
    Recommended teaching hours- 90/HL

Internal assessment
Historical investigation- 20/SL, 20/HL

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Assessment Model

There are four assessment objectives for the DP history course, according to the official study brief. Having followed the course at higher level (HL), students will be expected to meet the following objectives.

Assessment objective 1: Knowledge and understanding

  • Demonstrate detailed, relevant and accurate historical knowledge.
  • Demonstrate understanding of historical concepts and context.
  • Demonstrate understanding of historical sources.

Assessment objective 2: Application and analysis

  • Formulate clear and coherent arguments.
  • Use relevant historical knowledge to effectively support analysis.
  • Analyse and interpret a variety of sources.

Assessment objective 3: Synthesis and evaluation

  • Integrate evidence and analysis to produce a coherent response.
  • Evaluate different perspectives on historical issues and events, and integrate this evaluation effectively into a response.
  • Evaluate sources as historical evidence, recognizing their value and limitations.
  • Synthesize information from a selection of relevant sources.

Assessment objective 4: Use and application of appropriate skills

  • Structure and develop focused essays that respond effectively to the demands of a question.
  • Reflect on the methods used by, and challenges facing, the historian.
  • Formulate an appropriate, focused question to guide a historical inquiry.
  • Demonstrate evidence of research skills, organization, reference and selection of appropriate sources.

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IB DP- History
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