Ib Economics

Diploma Programme

Economics subject outline
First examinations 2013

This document explains the major features of the course, and outlines the syllabus and assessment requirements. More detailed information about the course can be obtained by referring to the guide for this subject, which is available on the subject page of the IB online curriculum centre (OCC) website (http://occ.ibo.org) and can also be purchased from the IB store (http://store.ibo.org).

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2010

Nature of the subject

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 ethical dimensions involved in the application of economic theories and policies permeate throughout the economics course as students are required to consider and reflect on human end-goals and values. The economics course encourages students to develop international perspectives, fosters a concern for global issues, and raises students’ awareness of their own responsibilities at a local, national and international level. The course also seeks to develop values and attitudes that will enable students to achieve a degree of personal commitment in trying to resolve these issues, appreciating our shared responsibility as citizens of an increasingly interdependent world.

Prior learning
The economics course requires no specific prior learning. No particular background in terms of specific subjects studied for national or international qualifications is expected or required. The specific skills of the economics course are developed within the context of the course itself. The ability to understand and explain abstract concepts and the ability to write in a logically structured manner are distinct advantages in economics.

Links to the Middle Years Programme
The development of certain skills in the Middle Years Programme (MYP) humanities course of study is excellent preparation for a Diploma Programme course in economics, which requires the student to undertake research, to demonstrate understanding and knowledge of concepts, and to exhibit the capacity to think critically. The following specific skills, for example, which are identified and developed in the MYP humanities course, are encouraged in the Diploma Programme economics course. • • • The ability to use sources such as graphs and tables in a critical manner The ability to analyse and interpret information from a wide range of sources The ability to make well-substantiated decisions and to relate them to real-world contexts

Economics subject outline

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Aims

Group 3 aims
The aims of all subjects in group 3, individuals and societies are to: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. encourage the systematic and critical study of: human experience and behaviour; physical, economic and social environments; and the history and development of social and cultural institutions develop in the student the capacity to identify, to analyse critically and to evaluate theories, concepts and arguments about the nature and activities of the individual and society enable the student to collect, describe and analyse data used in studies of society, to test hypotheses, and to interpret complex data and source material promote the appreciation of the way in which learning is relevant both to the culture in which the student lives, and to the culture of other societies develop an awareness in the student that human attitudes and beliefs are widely diverse and that the study of society requires an appreciation of such diversity enable the student to recognize that the content and methodologies of the subjects in group 3 are contestable and that their study requires the tolerance of uncertainty.

Economics aims
In addition, the aims of the economics syllabus at SL and HL are to enable students to: 7. 8. 9. develop an understanding of microeconomic and macroeconomic theories and concepts and their real-world application develop an appreciation of the impact on individuals and societies of economic interactions between nations develop an awareness of development issues facing nations as they undergo the process of change.

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Economics subject outline

Assessment objectives

There are four assessment objectives (AOs) for the SL and HL economics course. Having followed the economics course at SL or HL, students will be expected to do the following: 1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of specified content – – – 2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the common SL/HL syllabus Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of current economic issues and data At HL only: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the higher level extension topics

Demonstrate application and analysis of knowledge and understanding – – – – Apply economic concepts and theories to real-world situations Identify and interpret economic data Demonstrate the extent to which economic information is used effectively in particular contexts At HL only: Demonstrate application and analysis of the extension topics

3.

Demonstrate synthesis and evaluation – – – – Examine economic concepts and theories Use economic concepts and examples to construct and present an argument Discuss and evaluate economic information and theories At HL only: Demonstrate economic synthesis and evaluation of the extension topics

4.

Select, use and apply a variety of appropriate skills and techniques – – – – – Produce well-structured written material, using appropriate economic terminology, within specified time limits Use correctly labelled diagrams to help explain economic concepts and theories Select, interpret and analyse appropriate extracts from the news media Interpret appropriate data sets At HL only: Use quantitative techniques to identify, explain and analyse economic relationships

Economics subject outline

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Syllabus outline

Syllabus component

Teaching hours SL 35 HL 95

Section 1: Microeconomics
1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 Competitive markets: demand and supply (some topics HL only) Elasticity Government intervention (some topics HL extension, plus one topic HL only) Market failure (some topics HL only) Theory of the firm and market structures (HL only)

Section 2: Macroeconomics
The level of overall economic activity (one topic HL extension) Aggregate demand and aggregate supply (one topic HL only) Macroeconomic objectives (some topics HL extension, plus one topic HL only) Fiscal policy Monetary policy Supply-side policies

40

50

Section 3: International economics
International trade (one topic HL extension, plus one topic HL only) Exchange rates (some topics HL extension) The balance of payments (one topic HL extension, plus some topics HL only) Economic integration (one topic HL extension) Terms of trade (HL only)

25

45

Section 4: Development economics
Economic development Measuring development The role of domestic factors The role of international trade (one topic HL extension) The role of foreign direct investment (FDI) The roles of foreign aid and multilateral development assistance The role of international debt The balance between markets and intervention

30

30

Internal assessment
Portfolio of three commentaries

20

20

Total teaching hours

150

240

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Economics subject outline

Assessment outline—SL

First examinations 2013

Assessment component

Weighting

External assessment (3 hours)
Paper 1 (1 hour and 30 minutes) An extended response paper (50 marks) Assessment objectives 1, 2, 3, 4 Section A Syllabus content: section 1—microeconomics Students answer one question from a choice of two. (25 marks) Section B Syllabus content: section 2—macroeconomics Students answer one question from a choice of two. (25 marks) Paper 2 (1 hour and 30 minutes) A data response paper (40 marks) Assessment objectives 1, 2, 3, 4 Section A Syllabus content: section 3—international economics Students answer one question from a choice of two. (20 marks) Section B Syllabus content: section 4—development economics Students answer one question from a choice of two. (20 marks)

80%
40%

40%

Internal assessment (20 teaching hours)
This component is internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IB at the end of the course. Students produce a portfolio of three commentaries, based on different sections of the syllabus and on published extracts from the news media. Maximum 750 words x 3 (45 marks)

20%

Economics subject outline

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Assessment outline—HL

First examinations 2013

Assessment component

Weighting

External assessment (4 hours)
Paper 1 (1 hour and 30 minutes) An extended response paper (50 marks) Assessment objectives 1, 2, 3, 4 Section A Syllabus content: section 1—microeconomics Students answer one question from a choice of two. (25 marks) Section B Syllabus content: section 2—macroeconomics Students answer one question from a choice of two. (25 marks) Paper 2 (1 hour and 30 minutes) A data response paper (40 marks) Assessment objectives 1, 2, 3, 4 Section A Syllabus content: section 3—international economics Students answer one question from a choice of two. (20 marks) Section B Syllabus content: section 4—development economics Students answer one question from a choice of two. (20 marks) Paper 3 (1 hour) HL extension paper (50 marks) Assessment objectives 1, 2 and 4 Syllabus content, including HL extension material: sections 1 to 4—microeconomics, macroeconomics, international economics, development economics Students answer two questions from a choice of three. (25 marks per question)

80%
30%

30%

20%

6

Economics subject outline

Assessment outline—HL

Assessment component

Weighting

Internal assessment (20 teaching hours)
This component is internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IB at the end of the course. Students produce a portfolio of three commentaries, based on different sections of the syllabus and on published extracts from the news media. Maximum 750 words x 3 (45 marks)

20%

Economics subject outline

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