SOCIAL STUDIES (INTERNATIONAL

WORLD HISTORY 9 Course Number:​ 2019 Grade level: ​9 Credit Value:​ 1 Prerequisite:​ N/A This course exposes students to major themes in world history such as innovation, revolution and globalization. The first semester course focuses on the theme of innovation, with a focus on philosophical and scientific innovation in ancient Greece, political and commercial innovation in ancient Rome and China, and cultural and religious innovation in Renaissance Europe. The second semester focuses on the theme of revolution. We start by defining that concept of “revolution” and the patterns by which they unfold. We then proceed to examine the French Revolution and the process of decolonization in Africa. Students will also complete a research paper in the second semester of the course. The course will help you to develop your research and writing skills.

UNITED STATES HISTORY Course Number:​ 2020 Grade level: ​10 (advised), 11 or 12 (if required to meet Nido graduation) Credit Value:​ 1 Prerequisite:​ World History 9 This survey U.S. History course aims to give you an overview of major events in U.S. history, while linking these events to themes that are relevant to societies around the world. We will explore five main content strands: Conflict and resolution, leadership and citizenship, global connections, innovation and social progress, and ethics and ideology. During the course you will hone your research, analytical thinking, and academic writing skills in order to prepare for upper level humanities courses. We will explore a number of primary and secondary sources in each unit and you will be assessed in a variety of ways, including: Quizzes (reading, vocabulary, map), essays, simulations, debates, research projects, oral presentations, graded discussions, and rap battles.

GLOBAL POLITICS Course Number:​ 2146 Grade level: ​10-12 Credit Value:​ .5 Prerequisite:​ N/A Global Politics is an academic discipline that focuses on contemporary events and the interactions between national and international actors, including states and non-state actors, such as the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank. The study of Global Politics has become more important and more complex as our world has become more globalized and interconnected. For Nido students, Global Politics provides an opportunity for enquiry into, and reflection on, key global issues from a local, national and global perspective. Students will have opportunities to acquire and apply a range of skills:

• Gathering, synthesizing and communicating information individually and in groups • Developing and justifying a line of reasoning (in both oral and written form) The nature of Global Politics makes for a fluid class structure, allowing students to explore areas of interest, tackle pertinent current events, and explore topics creatively. Depending on student interest, the course may feature a connection to topics of sustainability with a potential for some students to travel to COP 26 in Glasgow in November 2021. (This trip would be optional and financed by the families of participating students but guided and chaperoned by the Global Politics teacher).

GLOBAL CONFLICTS Course Number:​ 2148 Grade level: ​10-12 Credit Value:​ .5 Prerequisite:​ N/A Global Conflict is an academic course of study that draws from the disciplines of history, politics, and international relations while focusing on major conflicts going on in the world today. By examining academic theories and taking a case study approach we will attempt to reach some conclusions as to the nature and causes of conflict and how these have been changing in the post-Cold War era. We will examine the impacts of conflict with particular focus on the contemporary refugee crisis. We will consider the role of international organizations such as the UN, EU, AU, NATO and NGO’S in attempting to prevent conflict, bring about peace, and deal with the aftermath of conflict. Collaboration, presentations and simulations will be the foundational components of the course.

SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY Course Number:​ 2154 Grade level: ​11-12 Credit Value:​ .5 Prerequisite:​ N/A Why do we make certain decisions? Why do we like certain people? What influence do our peers have on us? This course will provide an introduction to the theories and principles that influence how people think about, influence, and relate to one another. Topics covered will also explore attitude, personality conformity, persuasion, attraction, aggression, and prejudice. The course will use project based learning to introduce students to experimental design, and each student will get the opportunity to construct and carry out social psychological research on Nido’s campus. Learning will be stimulated with the use of diverse media, including TED Talks and podcasts.

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF HAPPINESS Course Number:​ 2156 Grade level: ​11-12 Credit Value:​ .5 Prerequisite:​ N/A What does it mean to live “the good life?” And more importantly, how can we as humans more effectively achieve the good life? This course will provide an introduction to the philosophical ideas and psychological principles that influence how people experience happiness, success, and satisfaction. From an exploration of historical theories of happiness to modern research about positive psychology, students will explore their own happiness while relating their own experiences to academic study. Students will complete a final project on how to cultivate happiness in their own lives.

APPLIED ECONOMICS Course Number:​ 2150 Grade level: ​11-12 Credit Value:​ .5 Prerequisite:​ N/A This course provides a broad view of the social science of economics. It builds on real-world economic applications to create a basic understanding of economic concepts, including a range of both macro and microeconomic concepts. The course relates economic principles and business applications through real-world situations students are familiar with. Guest speakers will be invited from the business and economic community. Students will encounter different economic systems and economic laws. They will also investigate how to think like an economist and will analyze and interpret data to understand the laws of supply and demand. Students will also be presented with economic applications in today’s world. From economics in the world of business, trade, money, banking, and finance, students will see how economics is applied both domestically and globally.

PERSONAL FINANCE Course Number:​ 2152 Grade level: ​11-12 Credit Value:​ .5 Prerequisite:​ N/A This course will examine the basic concepts and rules of personal finance. It is designed to help students understand the impact of individual choices on occupational goals and future earnings potential. Topics covered will include future income, money management, spending and credit, as well as saving and investing. Students will have the opportunity to design personal and household budgets, simulate use of checking and savings accounts, demonstrate knowledge of finance, debt, and credit management, and evaluate and understand insurance and taxes. This course will provide a foundational understanding for making informed personal financial decisions, financial literacy and wealth management.

IB ECONOMICS SL I Course Number:​ 2049 Grade level: ​11 Credit Value:​ 1 Prerequisite:​ Grade 10 social studies course This course is an introduction to economic concepts and economic reasoning surveying both micro and macroeconomics. Individuals, firms, and governments must constantly make choices, which will affect both their own economic well being and that of society as a whole. How these choices are made and how the consequences of the choices are analyzed are both central to the field of economics. In the first year of the course students will study the following topic areas: resources and markets, business economics and Macroeconomic.

IB ECONOMICS HL I Course Number:​ 2052 Grade level: ​11 Credit Value:​ 1 Prerequisite:​ Grade 10 social studies course This course is an introduction to economic concepts and economic reasoning surveying both microeconomics and macroeconomics. Individuals, firms, and governments must constantly make choices, which impact both their own economic well being and that of society as a whole. How these choices are made and the subsequent consequences are central to the field of economics. In the first year of the course students will study supply & demand, elasticities, market failure, employment, inflation, income equality and economic growth. For each topic a focus will be placed on analysis, evaluative writing and diagram construction.

IB HISTORY HLI Course Number:​ 2048 Grade level: ​11 Credit Value:​ 1 Prerequisite:​ Grade 10 social studies course This course is the first year of a two-year course that introduces students to major themes in 20th century world history. The course begins with The Move to Global War, an examination of Japanese, Italian and German expansion in the 1930s. We continue with a study of the rise to power and rule of authoritarian leaders, with special focus on Mao Zedong and Fidel Castro. The course concludes with a survey of the Cold War. Throughout the first year of the course there is an emphasis on source evaluation and essay writing skills.

IB ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS AND SOCIETY SLI Course Number:​ 4305 Grade level: ​11 Credit Value:​ 1 Prerequisite:​ Grade 10 Science & Social Studies courses This course is the first year of a two-year course following the IB Environmental Systems and Society Syllabus which prepares students to take the IB ESS SL exam in May of the second year. This course intends to give students a sound, knowledge-based understanding of the interrelationships between ecosystems and societies, focusing on the scientific, ethical and socio-political aspects of environmental issues. The topics addressed include systems and models, ecosystems, human populations, resource use, pollution management, global warming and environmental value systems. Practical work constitutes about 25% of this course and of its assessment. Note:​ This is a transdisciplinary course. Students taking this course will satisfy the group 3 and 4 IB requirements and may choose another subject from any of the 6 groups to complete their sixth subject for the IB Diploma. For the Nido diploma, one year of science and one year of social studies credit will be awarded; for the national plan diploma two years of science will be awarded.

IB ECONOMICS SLII Course Number:​ 2151 Credit Value:​ 1

Grade level: ​12 Prerequisite:​ IB Economics Year 1

This course is a continuation of IB Economics I. In the second year of the course, students will study free trade, protectionism, exchange rates and topics in international development.

IB ECONOMICS HL II Course Number:​ 2053 Grade level: ​12 Credit Value:​ 1 Prerequisite:​ IB Economics Year 1 Economics HL is a challenging course that requires excellent qualitative and quantitative skills. The course should be selected by students who are genuinely interested in economics as an academic discipline. Students will study the same topics as SL but will delve deeper into each, including some mathematical reasoning. Theory of the Firm, a more advanced microeconomic unit, is also added. This course requires summer work.

IB HISTORY HL II Course Number:​ 2043 Grade level: ​12 Credit Value:​ 1 Prerequisite:​ IB History Year I This course is a continuation of IB History HL I and focuses on major themes in the 20th century in the Americas. Students will examine the Cold War as it played out in the Americas, with a focus on US foreign policy in the region. The class will also survey social movements in the Americas, with a focus on the African American Civil Rights Movement. The course concludes with an examination of political developments in the Americas, with a focus on the phenomenon of populism, threats to democracy, and the nature of dictatorship in the region. Students will have many opportunities to investigate the history of Chile and the experiences of their families through the turbulent events of the 20th century.

IB ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS AND SOCIETY SLII Course Number:​ 4310 Grade level: ​11-12 Credit Value:​ 1 Prerequisite:​ IB Environmental Systems and Society SLI This course will complete the IB syllabus. The topics studied include environmental value systems, ecology and conservation of biodiversity. Practical work constitutes about 25% of this course and of its assessment. Note:​ This is a transdisciplinary course. Students taking this course will satisfy the group 3 and 4 IB requirements and may choose another subject from any of the 6 groups to complete their sixth subject for the IB Diploma. For the Nido diploma, one year of science and one year of social studies credit will be awarded; for the national plan diploma two years of science will be awarded.