LEVEL: Standard Level or High Level
LENGTH: Two-year course (DP1 & DP2)
RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND: A grade of B or higher in Year 10 History
PATHWAYS: University: arts, humanities
The DP History course is a world history course based on a comparative, multi-perspective approach to history and focused around key historical concepts such as change, causation and significance. It involves the study of a variety of types of history, including political, economic, social and cultural, encouraging students to think historically and to develop historical skills. In this way, the course involves a challenging and demanding critical exploration of the past.
The DP History course requires students to study and compare examples from different regions of the world, helping to foster international mindedness.
The IB History course is developed with students based on their interests. For example, in 2023, students will focus on Early Modern European history. Below outlines the Prescribed subjects, World history topics, and HL Depth studies topics and mentions the Historical Investigation where students choose their own topic and lead their own research.
Prescribed subjects (one to be studied) | SL and HL
- Military leaders
- Conquest and its impact
- The move to global war
- Rights and protest
- Conflict and intervention
World history topics (two to be studied) | SL and HL
- Society and economy (750-1400)
- Causes and effects of wars (750-1500)
- Dynasties and rulers (750-1500)
- Societies in transition (1400-1700)
- Early Modern states (1450-1789)
- Causes and effects of Early Modern wars (1500-1750)
- Origins, development and impact of industrialization (1750-2005)
- Independence movements (1800-2000)
- Emergence and development of democratic states (1848-2000)
- Authoritarian states (20th century)
- Causes and effects of 20th-century wars
- The Cold War: superpower tensions and rivalries (20th century)
HL options: Depth studies (one to be studied) HL only
- History of Africa and the Middle East
- History of the Americas
- History of Asia and Oceania
- History of Europe
Assessment
| SL | HL |
Internal Assessment | |
| Historical Investigation This component is internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IB at the end of the course. Students are required to complete a historical investigation into a topic of their choice. (25 marks) 25% | Historical Investigation This component is internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IB at the end of the course. Students are required to complete a historical investigation into a topic of their choice. (25 marks) 20% |
External Assessment | |
| Paper 1 Exam | 1 hour Source-based paper based on the five prescribed subjects. Choose one prescribed subject from a choice of five. Answer four structured questions. (24 marks) 30% | Paper 1 Exam | 1 hour Source-based paper based on the five prescribed subjects. Choose one prescribed subject from a choice of five. Answer four structured questions. (24 marks) 20% |
| Paper 2 Exam | 1 hour 30 minutes Essay paper based on the 12 world history topics. Answer two essay questions on two different topics. (30 marks) 45% | Paper 2 Exam | 1 hour 30 minutes Essay paper based on the 12 world history topics. Answer two essay questions on two different topics. (30 marks) 25% |
| Paper 3 Exam | 2 hour 30 minutes Separate papers for each of the four regional options. For the selected region, answer three essay questions. (45 marks) 35% |