Curriculum Overview

The primary goals of this course are the study of multicultural literary expression, the development of students’ high-level oral and written communication skills, and foundational preparation for IB English A and IB Extended Essay. For instance, in Cuenca students read novels, poetry, and ethnographic narratives about Ecuador, discussing the themes of ethnic diversity, social inequality, and child labor. These themes re-emerged later in the term, as they wrote response papers and short stories, viewed films, and listened to authors and scholars speak about the Ecuadorian environment, history, and culture. In Chiang Mai, their study of Thai literature is complemented by service-learning projects among the Hill Tribes. The World Literature course is closely integrated with lessons in other disciplines, especially Global Studies and Visual Arts.

This course provides students with a versatile scholarly toolkit for investigating each of the locations that TGS visits. By exploring history, geography, politics, and culture, students gain a sense of place that is both immersive and comparative, laying the groundwork for IB Group Three (History, Economics, ITGS) and IB Theory of Knowledge. In Beijing, students were introduced to the enormous span of Chinese history, reading about the Silk Road, the Cultural Revolution, and contemporary economic and political transformation. In Chiang Mai, TGS students studied the struggles of indigenous peoples for self-determination and sustainable ecosystems. Students also visited Ayutthaya and the Golden Triangle border area in order to learn about Thailand’s history of cooperation and conflict with surrounding countries. Global Studies is a linchpin in the integrated curriculum units for cross-disciplinary learning in the host locations.

In the TGS Science sequence, opportunities for place-based learning enrich the study of research techniques and lab methods, demonstrating the immediate practical relevance of scientific inquiry, and building toward IB Group Four (Environmental Systems and Society). Scientific concepts came alive in Ecuador with the study of marine life in the Galapagos and biodiversity in Tiputini. All host schools are equipped with top quality laboratory facilities for work in chemistry and physics. These courses are also closely coordinated with the Mathematics sequence.

The math sequence covers three main clusters. Number theory, functions, and algebra; probability and statistics; and geometry and trigonometry. Together these topics form the basis for the study of calculus that students will eventually undertake in IB Group Five (Standard Level and Higher Level Math). In addition to a rigorous traditional study of math aided by the latest mobile learning software, TGS students undertake mathematical investigations of social and environmental problems that pertain to our host locations. Thus the Great Wall of China gave students the opportunity to compare models of measurement as they grappled with the length of this massive structure. In Ecuador students used mathematical approaches to better understand resource usage, and made videos about the implications of their findings for environmental sustainability in their host country.

Because multilingualism is an essential component of 21st century education, TGS offers Spanish as a three level course that includes fundamentals of grammar, speaking, and writing, and sets the stage for IB Group Two (Standard Level or Higher Level Spanish). Residing in Spanish-speaking locations like Ecuador gives students the opportunity to use the language in real-life interactions with locals and host school peers.

Along with English and Spanish, Mandarin Chinese is one of the three major world languages of the 21st century. That’s why TGS offers it as a three level course that includes fundamentals of grammar, speaking, and writing. Residing in Mandarin-speaking locations like Beijing gives students the opportunity to use the language in real-life interactions with locals and host school peers.

This course is an exciting gateway to the appreciation of cultural diversity. Students at TGS are introduced to the core intellectual themes and craft skills associated with the visual, digital, and performing arts. Each city we visit offers a unique artistic tradition with distinctive cultural and historical trajectories. Because of our school’s mobile structure and global mission, digital media are emphasized wherever we go. In Ecuador students integrated their study of motif and narrative structure in the World Literature course with lessons in photography and filmmaking. In Thailand students are learning about puppet theater and kickboxing, drawing comparisons to last year’s study of Peking Opera. Our spring 2012 residence in Berlin will offer further opportunities for active engagement in the visual arts and architecture.

The Theory of Knowledge course is defined by the International Baccalaureate Organization as a thoughtful and purposeful inquiry into different ways of knowing, and into different kinds of knowledge. The course starts with philosophical and psychological inquiry into thought-provoking questions, starting with: “How do we know?” The topics and approaches used in the TOK course help students become aware of the interpretative nature of knowledge, including personal and ideological biases, culturally-shaped ways of knowing, and standards of argumentation and validity in different times and places. The IB Theory of Knowledge course integrates closely with THINK Global School’s credo: “Don’t teach me what to think, teach me how to think.” Each student will make a presentation and write an essay about a real-world issue in order to receive credit for Theory of Knowledge.

Creativity, Action, Service gives IB students the opportunity to enrich their formal academic studies through real life engagement and participation. TGS takes the course to a new level by tying it to experiential learning in our diverse international host locations. Student work in CAS is self-directed, and guidance from a CAS supervisor helps keep projects on track. The Think Global School CAS program is designed to provide activities and reflection that help our students develop self-evaluation, critical thinking, and ethical insight. CAS activities occupy approximately three hours per week during the two-year IBDP.

The Extended Essay is an in-depth study of a focused topic chosen from the list of approved Diploma Programme subjects. Students usually draw the subject from one of their six IB Group course subjects. The EE course promotes high-level research and writing skills, intellectual discovery, and creativity. It provides students with an opportunity to engage in personal research about a topic of their own choice, under the guidance of a TGS teacher who acts as their individual supervisor. This preparation leads to the Extended Essay, a major piece of formally presented, structured writing in which ideas and findings are communicated in a reasoned and coherent manner appropriate to the chosen subject. Following the completion of the written essay is a short, concluding interview with the supervisor.

The study of a wide range of texts in the IB World Literature course encourages students to appreciate the artistry of literature and to develop an ability to reflect critically on their reading. Works are studied in their literary and cultural contexts through close readings of individual texts and passages, and through a wide range of critical approaches and tools. The study of literary works in translation is especially important for introducing students to diverse cultural perspectives. It also allows for profound place-based connections to TGS host locations, supporting the school’s unique international mission. Students articulate responses to and analysis of world literature through both oral and written communication, enabling them to develop and refine their command of language in multiple contexts.

This course places special focus on developing students’ language proficiency and cultural awareness. Students improve listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in Spanish while discussing literature, film, and current events. Cultural perspectives on topics are addressed, offering students the opportunity to cultivate a deeper understanding and compassion for people of different cultures and traditions. Correct use of grammar and syntax is practiced and acquired contextually through situations ranging from useful everyday conversation to analytical and abstract discourse.

IB History courses guide students to understand the importance of history and its role in explaining the situation of the present day. The Route Two course, with its focus on 20th century world history, is designed to support students as they learn historical research methods, including the collection, analysis, and evaluation of a variety of primary sources. Students are taught to record, reconstruct, and interpret historical data, as they approach the prescribed subject areas. These include the study of the causes, practices, and effects of wars, the origins and development of authoritarian and single-party states, the Cold War, and the Arab-Israeli Conflict. Students at TGS take the IB History course alongside two years of intense cultural immersion and hands-on historical study of important world cultures. The course is well suited to take advantage of these opportunities and to enrich their education by drawing on the unique history of the school’s host locations.

The Environmental Systems and Societies course focuses on the interrelationships between ecosystems and societies, giving students the background necessary to make informed and ethical decisions about scientific and environmental issues. This broad interdisciplinary approach includes theory and investigative work from chemistry, biology, geology, geography, sociology, political science, soil science, atmospheric sciences, and social sciences. Only by understanding the basic science and social concerns behind the pressing issues of the 21st century will students be capable of promoting sustainable development, inspiring positive change to personal lifestyles, supporting regional community progression, and improving the quality of life for the global community at large.

The IB Mathematics SL course introduces students to the core concepts, strategies, and techniques of the discipline. (Some knowledge of basic mathematical operations is presumed.) The course emphasizes both theoretical and applied math. This equips students for higher levels of mathematical inquiry and also provides a sound mathematical background for future studies in subjects like chemistry, economics, psychology, and business administration. The Internal Assessment component of the IB Mathematics course is a portfolio assignment that encourages students to develop independence in their mathematical reasoning as they engage in investigation and modeling.

The Economics HL and Economics SL courses provide students with core knowledge of economics and incorporate elements of history, geography, psychology, sociology, political studies, and other related fields of study. Economics is a dynamic social science, forming part of the study of individuals and societies. The study of economics has many facets, and this is reflected in the broad scope of both courses. At its core, economics is concerned with the concept of scarcity and problems of resource allocation. Students will analyze how markets function, and the ways in which market factors and government policies influence unemployment, inflation and economic growth. They will also consider economic theory in the contexts of microeconomics, macroeconomics, international, and developmental economics. The scientific approach characterizes the standard methodology of economics, featuring a progression from problem identification, through hypothesis formulation and testing, and arriving finally at a conclusion.

This course, at both standard and higher levels, involves the study and evaluation of the impact of information technology (IT) on individuals and society. The course explores the advantages and disadvantages of “digital culture,” and provides a framework for the student to make informed judgments and decisions about the use of IT within contemporary social contexts. ITGS offers students an opportunity for systematic study of a range of technological, social, and ethical issues which fall outside the scope of any single discipline. The course develops students’ understanding of the capabilities of current and emerging IT systems and the impact of these systems on a range of stakeholders. Students are encouraged to apply their knowledge of existing IT systems to various scenarios and to make informed judgments about the effects of IT developments on these scenarios. Furthermore, students are required to use their knowledge of IT systems and practical IT skills to justify IT solutions for a specified client or end-user.

Mathematics can be seen as a well-defined body of knowledge, as an abstract system of ideas, or as a useful tool. Mathematics HL is a challenging course that provides students with in-depth knowledge of the subject area. Mathematical concepts are developed in a comprehensible, coherent, and rigorous way. Development of each topic will feature justification and proof of results. Students embarking on this course should expect to develop insight into mathematical form and structure, and should be intellectually equipped to appreciate the links between concepts in different topic areas. The course aims to develop not only students’ understanding of the principles and nature of the subject, but also their logical, critical and creative thinking. The course challenges students to appreciate the elegance, power and usefulness of mathematics, to refine their powers of abstraction and generalization, and to develop their patience and persistence in problem solving. Students will also learn to appreciate the multicultural and historical perspectives of mathematics.