History (HL/SL)

The aims of history is to gain in depth historical knowledge from different periods and cultures. In history, students will develop international awareness and gain an understanding of people living in a variety of places. Furthermore, students will develop an understanding of history as a discipline, including the nature and diversity of its sources, methods and interpretations, and they will practice the skill of communicating historical knowledge. In history, we also seek to gain a better understanding of present societies through an understanding of the past.

The teaching will encourage a holistic approach, with political, social economic, cultural and gender issues integrated into the study of each topic.

The students will also carry out a historical investigation which is the student's own work, planned together with the teacher. The investigation offers the students a chance to work independently and in-depth on a topic of their own choice. The activity demands that the students select, evaluate and use historical sources and write an investigation of approximately 2200 words.

Pre-IB History

In pre-IB history, students will gain an overview of European history from Ancient Greece to around 1850. Thus, the course aims to give students general knowledge and overview as well as developing skills of historical methodology and communicating historical knowledge.

Focus will be on:

• Greece and Rome
• The Middle Ages
• The Renaisance
• The Age of Enlightenment and the French Revolution.
• The Industrial Revolution

The students will also do an in-depth study of a particular historical topic, namely German history from Unification in 1871 to the rise of Nazi Germany in 1933. This in-depth study is specifically designed to prepare the students to IB history in the diploma programme in order to further the continuity between pre-IB and IB.

In pre-IB history, students will also write a mini-extended essay, which is a written assignment on a topic chosen by the student. It is approximately 2000 words long. In preparation for this, the students will be introduced to essay writing techniques, and the aim is to prepare them for writing independent assignments, such as the extended essay, in the diploma programme.

Business Management (HL/SL)

Business and management is the rigorous and critical study of the ways in which individuals and groups interact in a dynamic business environment. It is an academic discipline that examines how business decisions are made and how these decisions make an impact on internal and external environments. The ideals of international cooperation and responsible citizenship are at the heart of business and management.

Birkerød Gymnasium offers both High Level (240 hours) and Standard Level (150 hours)

Syllabus Outline:

1: Introduction to Organizations

• Types of Organizations
• Growth and Evaluation
• Organizational Objectives
• Ethical Objectives
• Stakeholders
• The External Environment

2: Marketing    

• The Role of Marketing
• Market Research
• Market Plans
• Product
• Price
• Promotion
• Distribution
• International Marketing

3: Human Resource Management    

• Human Resource Planning
• Organization Structure and Communication
• Motivation and Leadership

4: Accounting and Finance    

• Source and Application of Funds
• Investment Appraisal
• Cash Flow Forecasts
• Break-even Analysis
• Final Accounts
• Ratio Analysis

5: Internal Assessment:

• Standard Level:  1500 word written commentary,
• High Level: 2000 + word written report   

6: Exam

• The SL exam consists of two written papers hours based on compulsory questions of a case study (1 hr. 15 min) and data-response questions based on one or more sections of the syllabus (1 hr. 45 min.)
• The HL exam also consists of two papers constructed as the SL exams, however, each exam is 2 hrs. 15 min. in length.

Geography (HL/SL)

What is IB Geography? 

Geography is a dynamic subject that is firmly grounded in the real world and focuses on the interactions between individuals, societies and the physical environment in both time and space. It seeks to identify trends and patterns in these interactions and examines the processes behind them. It also investigates the way that people adapt and respond to change and evaluates management strategies associated with such change. Geography describes and helps to explain the similarities and differences between spaces and places. These may be defined on a variety of scales and from a range of perspectives. Within group 3 subjects, geography is distinctive in that it occupies the middle ground between social sciences and natural sciences.

The Diploma Programme geography course integrates both physical and human geography, and ensures that students acquire elements of both scientific and socio-economic methodologies. Geography takes advantage of its position between both these groups of subjects to examine relevant concepts and ideas from a wide variety of disciplines. This helps students develop an appreciation of, and a respect for, alternative approaches, viewpoints and ideas.

The Aims of IB Geography are to:

• Develop an understanding of the interrelationships between people, places, spaces and the environment
• Develop a concern for human welfare and the quality of the environment, and an understanding of the need for planning and sustainable management
• Appreciate the relevance of geography in analysing contemporary issues and challenges, and develop a global perspective of diversity and change.
• Geographic skills—integrated throughout the course

Part 1: Optional themes (SL/HL)
There are seven optional themes; each requires 30 teaching hours.
Two options are studied at SL, and three at HL
• Freshwater—drainage basins
• Oceans and coastal margins
• Extreme environments
• Geophysical hazards
• Leisure, tourism and sport
• Food and health
• Urban environments

Part 2: Core theme—patterns and change (SL/HL)
There are four compulsory topics in the core theme “Geographic perspectives—global change”. This part requires 70 teaching hours.
• Population distribution—changing population
• Global climate—vulnerability and resilience
• Global resource consumption and security

Part 3: HL extension—global interactions (HL only)
There are three compulsory topics in the HL extension “Geographic perspectives—global interactions”. This part requires 60 teaching hours.

• Power, places and networks
• Human development and diversity
• Global risks and resilience

Fieldwork report based on information collection in the field and subsequent analysis and evaluation of the collected data. 
This part requires 20 teaching hours (SL/HL)

Economics (HL/SL)

The following is from the IBO guideline.

BG offers High Level Economics (240 hours) as well as Standard Level (150 hours).

Economics is a dynamic social science, forming part of Group 3 - Individuals and Societies. The study of economics is essentially about dealing with scarcity, resource allocation and the methods and processes by which choices are made in the satisfaction of human wants. As a social science, economics uses scientific methodologies that include quantitative and qualitative elements.

The IB Diploma Programme economics course emphasizes the economic theories of microeconomics, which deal with economic variables affecting individuals, firms and markets, and the economic theories of macroeconomics, which deal with economic variables affecting countries, governments and societies. These economic theories are not to be studied in a vacuum - rather, they are to be applied to real-world issues. Prominent among these issues are fluctuations in economic activity, international trade, economic development and environmental sustainability.

The Standard level course consists of 150 teaching hours over the two year period.