Aims & Objectives

Course Aims

• Encourage the systematic and critical study of: human experience and behaviour; physical, economic and social environments; and the history and development of social and cultural institutions

• Develop in the student the capacity to identify, to analyse critically and to evaluate theories, concepts and arguments about the nature and activities of the individual and society

• Enable the student to collect, describe and analyse data used in studies of society, to test hypotheses, and to interpret complex data and source material

• Promote the appreciation of the way in which learning is relevant both to the culture in which the student lives, and the culture of other societies

• Develop an awareness in the student that human attitudes and beliefs are widely diverse and that the study of society requires an appreciation of such diversity

• Enable the student to recognize that the content and methodologies of the individuals and societies subjects are contestable and that their study requires the toleration of uncertainty

• Develop an inquiring and intellectually curious way of thinking

• Formulate arguments in a sound and purposeful way

• Examine critically their own experiences and their ideological and cultural perspectives

• Appreciate the diversity of approaches within philosophical thinking

• Apply their philosophical knowledge and skills to the world around them

Assessment Objectives

Knowledge and understanding

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of philosophical concepts, issues and arguments

• identify the philosophical issues present in both philosophical and non-philosophical stimuli

• at HL only, demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the nature, function, meaning and methodology of philosophical activity

Application and analysis

• analyse philosophical concepts, issues and arguments

• analyse the philosophical issues present in both philosophical and non-philosophical stimuli

• explain and analyse different approaches to philosophical issues, making use of relevant supporting evidence/examples

• at HL only, analyse the nature, function, meaning and methodology of philosophical activity

Synthesis and evaluation

• evaluate philosophical concepts, issues and arguments

• construct and develop relevant, balanced and focused arguments

• discuss and evaluate different interpretations or points of view

• at HL only, evaluate the nature, function, meaning and methodology of philosophical activity

• at HL only, compare and contrast their personal experience of philosophical activity with the issues regarding philosophical activity raised in an unseen text

Selection, use and application of appropriate skills and techniques

• demonstrate the ability to produce clear and well-structured written responses

• demonstrate appropriate and precise use of philosophical vocabulary

• in the internal assessment task, demonstrate evidence of research skills, organization and referencing