IB Diploma Program (DP)
In keeping with the Concordian and IBO mission statements, we believe that all students should have access to the DP. Thus, our program is non-selective. Successful completion of the MYP (years 1-5/grades 6-10) promote the student to become a candidate for the DP program. However, there are pre-requisites/ stipulations that are required in order to take subjects in Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature, Group 2: Language Acquisition and Group 5: Mathematics.
Pre-requisite
Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
Group 2: Language AcquisitionStudents must be enrolled in English Language and Literature (LL) by Grade 9 and 10 to be eligible to take DP English Literature or Language and Literature at Standard level (SL) or Higher Level (HL).
A student entering Language Acquisition (LA) in Grade 6 must exit LA at the end of Grade 8 and enter LL in grade 9 to be eligible for English in Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature.
Students in LA in Grade 10 will be eligible for DP English B (HL) in Group 2: Language Acquisition. Therefore, their Group 1 Language must be Thai or Chinese Literature(SL/HL) or Thai or Chinese Language and Literature (SL/HL).
Students who elect to take two Languages in Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature; English/Thai or English/Chinese will be eligible for a Bilingual Diploma. In this case they do need not select a subject in Group 2 unless interested in studying a third language.
Candidates are not eligible take Mandarin ab initio if they have previously studied Mandarin for 2-5 years.
Pre-requisite
Group 5: Mathematics
The mathematics courses offered are: Math HL, Math SL and Math Studies SL
The following is the Math pathways from the MYP mathematics courses leading into the DP.
- G9 Extended -> G10 Extended: -> G11 and 12 Math HL or Math SL
- G9 Standard -> G10 Extended: -> G11 and 12 Math HL or Math SL
- G9 Extended -> G10 Standard: -> G11 and 12 Math SL or Math Studies SL
- G9 Standard -> G10 Standard: -> G11 and 12 Math SL or Math Studies SL
Placement tests may be given to determine the level of Math selected by DP candidates in G10.
IBDP Subject Requirements and Availability at Concordian
Diploma candidates are required to select six subjects; one from each of the six groups. At least three and not more than four are taken at Higher Level (HL) with the remaining at Standard Level (SL). HL courses are taught over 240 teaching hours and SL courses over 150 hours.
Within each of the subject groups, the following subjects will be offered at both SL and HL otherwise where indicated.
Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
*English, Thai, Chinese Literature or Language and Literature SL/HL
*Self-taught SL option in the native language of student is possibleGroup 2: Language Acquisition
*English B HL
*Mandarin ab initio SL
*Mandarin B SL/HL
*Other Group 2 languages may be possible via an online paradigmGroup 3: Individuals and Societies
* Business and Management SL/HL
* Psychology SL/HL
* Geography SL/HL
* Economics SL/HL
* History SL/HL
* Informational Technology in a Global Society (ITGS) SL/HL
* Environmental Systems and Societies SLGroup 4: Experimental Sciences
* Biology SL/HL
* Chemistry SL/HL
* Computer Science SL/HL
* Environmental Systems and Societies SL
* Computer Science SL/HL
* Physics SL/HLGroup 5: Mathematics
* Math Studies SL
* Math SL
* Math HLGroup 6: The Arts
*Theater SL/HL
*Visual Arts SL/HL
*Film
Uniques Learning Opportunities through the additional core requirements
Theory of Knowledge (TOK) – an internally and externally assessed interdisciplinary component that explores the different concepts of knowledge found in the subject areas. Because the Diploma students study six subjects simultaneously, TOK teachers can, for example, ask their students to compare a historian’s approach to problem-solving with that of a scientist or an artist.
The TOK component of the program is central to the educational philosophy of IB. It challenges the students and their teachers to reflect critically on diverse ways of knowing; How do we know? and the areas of knowledge; What do we know? It encourages students to become aware as thinkers, to become aware of the complexity of knowledge, and to recognize the need to act responsibly in an increasingly interconnected world. The TOK is composed entirely of questions, the most central being “How do I, or how do we, know that a given assertion is true, or a given judgment is well founded?”
Extended essay (EE) – an externally assessed independent research assignment of 4,000 words on a specific topic chosen from a list set by IB. The topic chosen need not be from the six subjects being studied.
The EE is defined as an in-depth study of a limited topic within a subject. Its purpose is to provide students with an opportunity to engage in personal independent research and to integrate the communication of ideas and information in a logical and coherent manner. Students select their own topic of interest within the framework set by IBO and are guided by a supervisor.
Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) – serves to develop the whole individual with involvement in creative, physical and service activities within the local community. The CAS requirement allows students to gain real-life experience beyond the classroom.
The CAS requirement takes seriously the importance of life outside the academic world. The creative, physical and social development of students can be shaped by their own experiences. Participation in CAS encourages students to share their energies and special talents while developing awareness, concern and ability to work cooperatively with others. The spirit of CAS is to extend the students and challenge them to develop a value system by which they enhance their personal growth. Throughout the process students should develop attitudes and values that transcend race, religion, gender and politics in achieving international understanding.
