Humanities

Departmental Statement

Students will develop an understanding of our world and their place, rights and responsibilities in it through the study of Humanities courses. In each grade, from G6-10, students will broaden their knowledge and understanding of historical interpretations and skills, geographical and economic features, sociological issues, political structures, cultural beliefs and scientific/technological developments through a tri-regional focus of Asia, America and Europe in order to study the growing inter-connectedness of our world.

During the Middle School, students will find out about the major societies and changes in and impact on Asia, Europe and America during Ancient times, the Middle Ages and Early Modern periods of global history. In the High School, students will have the opportunity to improve their skills in social studies whilst developing an awareness of the modern world. Ultimately, students can choose to take AP World History, or an exit course in Global studies or American studies that tests the development of the student’s ability in social studies whilst preparing them for life outside of Hong Kong.

Course Selection

To graduate with a High School Diploma from A.I.S., a minimum of 3 credits in Humanities are required.  One of which should be from a Grade 11 or Grade 12 level course. A credit in American Studies is recommended for students wishing to attend an American university.

Mapping the Humanities Program

Course Description

This course examines the key social movements that occurred at the turn of the 20th Century.  We continue the triple focus of Asia, Europe and America looking at revolution, economic crisis, social change and reasons for World War One, and the technological changes that took place during the war. Students will conduct a depth study into Chinese culture and belief systems, comparing it with other religions. Geographically, students will develop their understanding of what makes our earth looks the way it does and how humans have changed it over time. Students will continue to develop humanities skills by using sources, both primary and secondary to access content and improve critical thinking. Students will be required to complete independent research tasks to enable them to engage in class discussions.

Learner Outcomes

Students should:

• Acquire skills to comprehend, interpret, evaluate and use historical sources.
• Acquire active reading strategies for use in Social Studies courses.
• Develop understanding of the Earth, its systems and how it impacts on, or has been impacted by, humans.
• Compare World Religions, and analyze regional cultural traits.
• Evaluate social change that occurred in the 20th Century revolutionary movements in China and/or Russia.
• Analyze cause and effects of major 20th Century economic and political events.

Assessment

• Class involvement
• Quizzes
• Research Project
• Presentations
• Semester exams

Course Description

This course builds on the foundations and knowledge developed in Grade 9.  Students will begin by studying what impact WWII had on the world.  They will examine major issues which have affected the modern world in the last 60 years. Students will begin to look at their role as global citizens by examining key historical, social and economic issues that still impact our world today: conflict in the Middle East, human rights and the impact of multinational corporations. Students will engage in class discussions and will be required to develop and justify reasoned responses to key questions.  They will continue working with a variety of sources and develop advanced skills in essay writing.

Learner Outcomes

Students should:

• Develop presentation skills, and strategies for active reading and research.
• Develop skills to comprehend, interpret, evaluate and use historical sources.
• Develop skills in writing historical essays.
• Develop an awareness of human rights, and how people have worked together to make improvements in this area during the 20th Century.
• Explain the effect changing technology has had on warfare, gender relations and our environment during the 20th Century.
• Examine to what extent cultural, religious, political and economic issues are converging more and more in our world as our study moves onto the 21st Century.

Assessment

• Class involvement
• Quizzes
• Research Project
• Presentations
• Document based or Comparative and Analytical Essays
• Semester exams

Course Description

This course aims to prepare students for the AP course in World History. It will build an understanding of the major changes and common issues that have run through world history from ancient civilizations to the present day. It will focus on the development and importance of political systems, religious beliefs and increasing economic connectedness of the world. Students will be expected to read widely in order to participate in class discussions and prepare for quizzes; and research carefully to prepare and give oral presentations on different sections of the course.

Learner Outcomes

Students should:

• Develop presentation skills, and strategies for active reading and research.
• Develop skills in handling primary source documents.
• Develop skills in writing historical essays.
• Acquire knowledge and understanding about the major changes and common issues that run through the history of our world.
• Analyze the connection between our environment and the development of technology with the development of world civilizations.

Assessment

• Class involvement
• Multiple Choice Tests/Quizzes
• Research Projects & Presentations
• Document Based Essay Questions
• Free Response Essay Questions
• Semester exams

Course Description

This course is an exit course testing students’ ability in Social Studies and preparing them for life beyond AIS in an American University with an understanding of American Geography, Political systems, History and impact on the development of modern Culture. Students will be required to use and interpret a variety of sources and historical documents, as well as give oral presentations and demonstrate understanding by writing analytical and comparative essays.

Learner Outcomes

Students should:

• Develop presentation skills, and strategies for active reading and research.
• Develop skills in handling primary source documents.
• Develop skills in writing historical essays.
• Acquire knowledge and understanding about the major changes and issues that run through the development of America’s history.
• Analyze the physical features of the USA, and the structures of the American governmental system.
• Explain the economic development of, and current economic issues facing, the United States.
• Evaluate the nature of American culture and its impact on the world today.

Assessment

• Class involvement
• Multiple Choice Tests/Quizzes
• Research Projects & Presentations
• Document Based Essay Questions
• Free Response Essay Questions
• Semester exams

Course Description

This course gives students an understanding of our world and the many different peoples and cultures within it. The course starts by examining geographical features of our world, and its main cultures and religious identities. Students will question why belief systems have developed and how they affect regional cultures and global events. Global Studies will develop students’ reading skills, critical thinking skills, abilities to analyze, evaluate and make comparisons, whilst exposing them to investigating many political, economic, social, technological and ethical issues affecting our environment and world affairs today with the aim of them becoming better global citizens realizing that we have a responsibility to govern our world right and protect it for the sake of our future generations.

Learner Outcomes

Students should:

• Develop presentation skills, and strategies for active reading and research.
• Acquire knowledge and understanding about some of the major issues affecting our world today.
• Analyze the responses of different groups and cultures to different situations.
• Develop ability to understand and explain different viewpoints to the same situation.
• Develop an understanding of our responsibility and role as global citizens to protect our world and its living beings.

Assessment

• Class involvement
• Multiple Choice Tests/Quizzes
• Research Projects
• Presentations
• Essay Questions
• Semester exams

Course Description

This course culminates in the College Board AP Examination which tests both broad factual knowledge and analytical skills. Students will develop greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and contacts, in interaction with different types of human societies. The course highlights the nature of changes in international frameworks and their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies. The course will have as its chronological frame the period from approximately 8000BCE to the present. Specific themes run consistently through the course to provide further organization to the course. Students need very good proficiency in English since a great amount of weekly reading will be expected so that students are prepared to discuss themes and issues rather than be taught content in lesson times.

Learner Outcome

Student should be able to:

• Use evidence to make plausible historical arguments.
• Understand, Interpret and Use documents to analyze point of view or bias, and write historical arguments based on primary source evidence.
• Assess and analyze issues of change and continuity over time in world history.
• Understand and evaluate diverse interpretations of different events or issues from world history.
• Build upon the foundations developed in other courses to master content understanding of world history (c8000BCE – Present).

Assessment

• Online Chapter Quizzes
• Online/Class participation
• Multiple Choice Tests
• DBQ Essay Tests
• FRQ Essay Tests
• AP College Board Exam
• Final Project & Presentation

Psychology

Psychology allows students the opportunity to acquire the skills necessary to begin understanding the principles, concepts and theories that constitute this discipline.  Providing the students with the knowledge to better understand themselves, their lives and their communities is the primary goal.

Course Selection

Psychology is considered an elective study. Elective credits can also come from any subject after the minimum graduation credit requirement is met (e.g. a fourth credit in Science is considered an elective credit). To graduate with a High School Diploma, students require a minimum of three elective credits.

Students wishing to take Advance Placement Psychology need to achieve a grade of B or higher in the Introductory Psychology course.

Course Description

The objective of this course is to study human behavior and determine the inner forces or motivation that produce certain feelings and actions in individuals. The objective is to enable students to better understand themselves, their lives, and the communities that surround them. Key topics include: Body and Mind, Learning and Cognition, Human Development, Health and Psychological Adjustments, and Social Psychology.  The focus is on the scientific approach to understanding behavior and the study of the six contemporary psychological perspectives.

This course meets the graduation requirements for elective credits.

Learner Outcomes

The student should:

• Understand the historical background of psychology, what psychology is, and what psychologists add to our existing body of knowledge
• Be able to describe and evaluate the main contemporary perspectives in psychology
• Be able to describe the scientific study of psychology and how it relates to research
• Understand the connection between the body and the mind, including how biology affects both behavior and mental processes and how people experience the world around them
• Have an understanding of the learning and thinking processes of the human mind, including the role of memory, language, and intelligence
• Be able to trace the individual’s development from infancy through childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and to death
• Learn about the various aspects of the human personality, including how and why a person experiences emotions, the theories and psychological tests related to personality development, and the effect of cultural gender roles on an individual’s attitudes and behavior
• Understand aspects of physical and psychological health, including how an individual’s health is related to stress, the various types of psychological illness, and the treatment methods that attempt to improve an individual’s psychological well-being
• Understand the field of social psychology, the effects of our attitudes and the way we see the world and the people in it

Assessment

The students will gain knowledge through a process of student-directed and teacher directed skill-based activities.  The student will be assessed through chapter and unit tests, semester examinations, written assignments, essays, reading assignments, projects, small and large group participation, case studies, observational research, and self-evaluation. The student will maintain a notebook with all notes and handouts.

Course Description

This course prepares students for the Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology examination. Students will be introduced to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and metal processes of human beings and other animals.

This course is an in-depth continuation of introductory course (PSY3E) with a strong emphasis on developmental and abnormal psychology, the treatment of psychological disorders, and social psychology.

This course is open to students earning a “B”, or higher, in the introductory class. Prior approval to registration is required.

Learner Outcomes

Students are expected to:

• Understand, comprehend and evaluate cognitive, behavioral, and family systems
• Review methods, approaches and history of Psychology
• Explore and analyze in depth emotional and behavior disorders such as anxiety, psychological and physical stress, mood, personality, substance use, and gender disorders
• Discuss, analyze and evaluate psychological disorders and the treatment of psychological disorders
• Review and analyze in depth learning, cognition, motivation and emotion

Assessment

The student will be assessed through chapter tests, semester examinations, written assignments, essays, reading assignments, projects, small and large group participation, case studies, and self-evaluation.