VICTORIA SHANGHAI ACADEMY MYP SUBJECT OUTLINE Year 9 - HUMANITIES 2013-2014

VICTORIA SHANGHAI ACADEMY MYP SUBJECT OUTLINE YEAR 9 - HUMANITIES 2013-2014

Aims Students will be developing skills to help them understand and discuss how governments change and deal with issues they are faced with including revolutions, development, natural disasters and coastal management. In addition, students will be identifying and evaluating the role that non-governmental organisations (NGOs) play in modern society. This course will be a study of history, economics, politics, and geography and students will learn how to use inquiry or questioning to understand the concepts found in Humanities. Students will learn how to apply (transfer) this knowledge and these ideas to situations in their personal life and help them gain a better understanding of the world at local, national, and global levels. Lastly, students will learn the skills necessary to think critically on historical and current issues.

Course Outline
Students will participate in the following units of study: Revolutions: Using our understanding of government, we will look at the reasons people sometimes attempt to overthrow the existing system, either violently or non-violently. We will look at the stages revolutions often go through and how the goals and tactics used to wage a revolution often change drastically during a revolution. Assessment: Revolution Speech

Contemporary China: Using the lens of government and revolution, we will examine current political, economic, military, social, and environmental issues surfacing with the rise of China. We will look at how democratic reform might impact China's position in the world. Assessment: Summative Assessment

VICTORIA SHANGHAI ACADEMY MYP SUBJECT OUTLINE Year 9 - HUMANITIES 2013-2014

Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) Students learn what the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are and why the goals have been identified as significant in helping countries develop to improve peoples quality of life. In this context, students will evaluate the role of NGOs and what they are doing in order to help achieve the MDGs. In addition, students will assess how successful the MDGs are. Assessment: NGO manifesto/design a promotion campaign

Coasts Through an understanding of coastal processes, students evaluate the motivations for coastal management. They will identify problems and opportunities that may exist in coastal areas and the management strategies adopted by local governments in dealing with these problems. Assessment: Field work project/report

Natural Disasters In this unit, natural disasters that affect Hong Kong and China are identified. An analysis of preventative and emergency strategies used by the government including building standards and regulations and emergency plans. Assessment: Summative Assessment

These are just brief outlines of each assessment. You must read and understand each assessment rubric for complete details. They are also subject to change.

VICTORIA SHANGHAI ACADEMY MYP SUBJECT OUTLINE Year 9 - HUMANITIES 2013-2014

Class/School Policies Language English will be the main language spoken, as it is the common language between us. English should be the language used not only between teacher and student but also between students even during group work. Attendance Students are expected to catch up on any work they have missed due to an absence. It is the students responsibility to speak to me after they return to find out what work they missed. If you miss an assessment task you must make arrangements to complete it the next day you are in school. Academic Honesty Students are required to produce all their own work. Plagiarism (copying information from the internet or from friends) is not acceptable. Behaviour that does not follow the school policy on academic honesty will be reported to the school administration. Homework Will be assigned every week. It is expected that all students complete their homework as it will help to prepare them for the upcoming lessons and assessments. If a student misses 3 homework assignments per term they will be reported to the administration. Parents will also be notified by e-mail or letter. Assessment Criteria You will be assessed in the 5 areas listed on the attached sheet. Assessment is continuous throughout each term and is both formal and informal. Formal assessments will be both formative (on-going) and summative (at the end of a unit). These can include exams, assignments, presentations, projects and portfolios. Informal assessments are based on items such as class participation, group interaction and organization skills. These will be recorded to give valuable information about a students Approaches to Learning (ATL). Website and Contact My Weebly page will play an important part of the class. You should also check it for updates on homework, announcements, and readings. Please save the address on your tool bar so that you can access it easily. Ms Gibbs Weebly http://jgibbshumanities.weebly.com If you need to contact me please use my school e-mail address. jgibbs@vsa.edu.hk