IB SUBJECTS GROUP 3
Group 3 Subjects:
Individuals and societies
The Group 3 courses require no specific
prior learning. No particular background in
terms of specific subjects studied for national
or international qualifications is expected or
required. The skills needed for the courses
are developed within the context of the
course itself.
BUSINESS
MANAGEMENT
(HL & SL)
This is a broad-based introductory course to
the formal academic study of business. It is
based around six concepts that underpin the
entire course: ethics, culture, globalisation,
innovation, strategy and change.
Course aims:
Pupils will need to apply these core concepts
to a range of situations. As well as learning
theory, pupils will be expected to find real-
world examples that illustrate the theory they
have learnt.
Course content:
The course covers five areas of business
activity starting with an introduction to the
world that business operates in, followed by
people in business, marketing, finance, and
operations management.
Pupils will need to write extended responses
to questions, so being able to use accurate,
technical English is important. The course
will be useful to anyone thinking of a business
course at university and of interest to anyone
with a curiosity about the practical workings
of the world around them.
.
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IB SUBJECTS GROUP 3
ECONOMICS
(HL & SL)
GEOGRAPHY
(HL & SL)
Course content and assessment:
The IB provides a broad-based introduction
to economics, covering micro and
macroeconomics in Year 12 and international
trade and development economics in Year 13.
Some facility with maths would be
advantageous, especially at HL, but is not
essential to achieve success. The ability to
interpret and analyse data in numerical,
written or graphical form is an important skill
for any economist.
Pupils will need to write detailed answers
making accurate use of complex technical
language, so the ability to express ideas in a
concise and clear manner when writing is very
important.
However, more important than this is the
ability to think independently and apply
acquired knowledge to new situations. Pupils
should have an interest in the world around
them and be willing to express their ideas and
opinions in class. Sitting quietly and soaking up
information will not be an option.
This course has proved useful to pupils
going on to pursue a wide variety of subjects
or careers. Economics is a well-respected
subject and will help those who go on to
study subjects such as law, history, politics
or business to name but a few. Ultimately, the
analytical skills learned during this course will
be of use regardless of a pupil’s future career
path.
To appreciate the importance of geography,
watch the news and you will realise that
almost every story is geographically related.
All the major global issues of the 21st Century
are geographical – climate change, the impact
of globalisation, population growth, resource
management, hazard management and
economic development, to name a few. By
studying geography, pupils will discover the
issues that affect them, and the world around
them, on a daily basis.
Geographical
themes
SL
Freshwater –
drainage basins
Urban environments
Geographical
perspectives –
global change Global interactions Fieldwork
Changing population Not studied 2500 report on a
fieldwork project
undertaken in
Shanghai
Global climate –
vulnerability and
resilience
Global resource
consumption and
security
Course aims:
Due to geography’s multi-disciplinary nature,
pupils will develop a variety of skills, including:
data collection, manipulation, presentation
and analysis skills, essay writing, giving oral
presentations, justifying viewpoints and
evaluating information from a range of
sources. These skills are applicable to a range
of university course and careers, making it a
valued and respected subject.
The aims of the geography syllabus at SL and
HL are to enable pupils to:
– Understand the interrelationships between
people, places, spaces and the environment.
– Develop a concern for human welfare and
the quality of the environment, and an
understanding of the need for planning and
sustainable management.
HL
1 hour 30 min
exam –
35% of final grade 1 hour 15 min
examination –
40% of final grade
Freshwater Urban environments
Urban environments Hazards and disasters
Geophysical hazards
Food and health
25% of final grade
Power, places and
networks
Human development
and diversity
2500 report on a
fieldwork project
undertaken in
Shanghai
Global risks and
resilience
1 hour 15 min
exam –
35% of final grade
2 hour exam –
35% of final grade
1 hour exam – 20%
of final grade
20% of final grade
Pupils do not need to have studied geography
at IGCSE level, but an interest in global issues,
along with a willingness to engage in discussion
and read around the subject, is required.
– Appreciate the relevance of geography in
analysing contemporary issues and challenges,
and develop a global perspective of diversity
and change.
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