IB Environmental
Systems & Societies 2015-16
Dr. Gianluca Corsi
Email: gcorsi@dentonisd.org
Phone: (940)369-2051
Conference: 5AB
Tutorials: Daily before/after school by appointment
Course Objective And Goals
This course is to provide students with a coherent perspective of the interrelationships between environmental
systems and societies. As a student in Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) you will be expected to
work on individual and group assignments along with homework and out of class assignments. The ESS
course is a rigorous learning process that involves many chances to evaluate case studies, lab and field work,
with applications in reading and writing reports.
IB Mission Statement
The international Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help
to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. In this end the
organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging
programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students
across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people,
with their differences, can also be right.
Aims
The systems approach in ESS provides a core methodology for this course. It is amplified by other sources
such as economic, historical, cultural, socio-political and scientific, to provide a holistic perspective on
environmental issues.
1. Promote understanding of environmental processes at a variety of scales, from local to global.
2. Provide a body of knowledge, methodologies and skills that can be used in the analysis of
environmental issues at local and global levels.
3. Enable students to apply the knowledge, methodologies and skills gained.
4. Promote critical awareness of a diversity of cultural perspectives.
5. Recognize the extent to which technology plays a role in both causing and solving environmental
problems.
6. Appreciate the value of local as well as international collaboration in resolving environmental problems.
7. Appreciate that environmental issues may be controversial, and may provoke a variety of responses.
8. Appreciate that human society is both directly and indirectly linked to the environment at a number of
levels and at a variety of scales.
Course Outline
IBESS Topics
Hours
1. Systems and Models
5
2. Ecosystems
31
3. Population and Resource use
39
4. Conservation and Biodiversity
15
5. Pollution Management
18
6. Global Warming
6
7. Environmental Value Systems
6
Lab Requirements
There is a 30hr lab requirement for IBESS. ALL lab hours must be recorded for the IBESS Internal
Assessment (IA).
IB ES&S Assessment, Criteria And Objectives
Criterion A: Knowledge
Criterion B: Concepts
Criterion C: Skills (Technical, Analytical, Decision-making, Investigative)
Criterion D: Organization and Presentation
1. Demonstrate an understanding of information, terminology, concepts, methodologies and skills with
regard to environmental issues.
2. Apply and use information, terminology, concepts, methodologies and skills with regard to
environmental issues.
3. Synthesize, analyze and evaluate research questions, hypotheses, methods and scientific explanations
with regard to environmental issues.
4. Using a holistic approach, make reasoned and balanced judgments using appropriate economic,
historical, cultural, socio-political and scientific sources.
5. Articulate and justify a personal viewpoint on environmental issues reasoned argument while
appreciating alternative viewpoints, including the perceptions of different cultures.
6. Demonstrate the personal skills of cooperation and responsibility appropriate for effective investigation
and problem solving.
7. Select and demonstrate the appropriate practical and research skills necessary to carry out
investigations with due regard to precision.
Group 4 Project
The Group 4 Project is an interdisciplinary activity in which all Diploma Programme science students must
participate. The intention is that students from the different group 4 subjects analyze a common topic or
problem. The exercise should be a collaborative experience where the emphasis is on the processes involved
in scientific investigation rather than the products of such investigation.
In most cases, all students in a school would be involved in the investigation of the same topic. Where there
are large numbers of students, it is possible to divide them into several smaller groups containing
representatives from each of the science subjects. Each group may investigate the same topic or different
topics. That is, there may be several group 4 projects in the same school.
The Group 4 Project forms one part of a candidate’s overall practical experience and does not contribute a
fixed percentage to internal assessment.
Materials
1. Composition notebook
2. Pen and Pencil
3. Scientific Calculator (recommended)
Grading Policy
Research and Investigations are Minor Summative grades (30%)
Tests and Projects are Major Summative grades (70%)
Denton ISD grading policies apply.
The Denton Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, handicap, race, color, and or national
origins in its educational programs. Admission to career programs is based on age, grade, interest, aptitude and ability.
Lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admissions and participation in any educational programs.
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