The Six Academic Areas
THE SIX ACADEMIC AREAS
The IB Diploma Programme is a rigorous but broad and balanced curriculum in which students study languages (mother tongue plus a foreign language), social science, experimental science, mathematics, and usually an arts subject. In addition, American Youth Academy offers an extra language acquisition course, Spanish ab initio, as a substitute for an arts subject. Students who intend to earn the IB Diploma must take three Higher Level (HL) courses and complete CAS, TOK, and an Extended Essay (EE). For more information, please visit AYA’s Frequently Asked Questions.
Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
IB HL English
In group 1, students experienced in using a language in an academic context are prepared for this course. It is also recognized that students have language backgrounds that vary significantly. For one student, the target language may be their only proficient language, while another may have a complex language profile and competence in more than one language. IB HL English is not a language-acquisition course. It is assumed that students are highly competent in the target language, whether or not it is their mother tongue.
Group 2: Language Acquisition
IB Arabic ab initio
IB SL Arabic Language Acquisition
In group 2, the main emphasis of the modern language courses is on the acquisition and use of language in a range of contexts and for different purposes while, at the same time, promoting an understanding of another culture through the study of its language.
Group 3: Individuals and Societies
IB HL History
In group 3, History HL develops a critical appreciation of human experience, behavior, and the variety of physical, economic, and social environments that people inhabit within the history of social and cultural institutions.
Group 4: Experimental Sciences
IB SL Physics
In group 4, Physics SL is the most fundamental of the experimental sciences, as it seeks to explain the universe from the smallest particles to the vast distances between galaxies. However, despite the exciting and extraordinary development of ideas throughout the history of physics, observations remain essential to the very core of the subject. Therefore, models are developed to understand words, which can become theories attempting to explain the observations.
Group 5: Mathematics and Computer Science
IB HL Math
IB SL Math Studies
In group 5, students will develop mathematical knowledge, concepts, and principles. In addition, they will develop logical, critical, and creative thinking. They expect to employ and refine their powers of abstraction and generalization. Students are also encouraged to appreciate the international dimensions of mathematics and the diversity of its cultural and historical perspectives.