IB MYP · Years 4 & 5 · Individuals & Societies
Understanding Our World.
“Emitting Excellence”
Edu-Radiation Tutorials
IB MYP Mathematics
CRITERION A
Knowing and
CRITERION B
Investigating
CRITERION C
Communicating
CRITERION D
Thinking Critically
4
Criteria
4
Levels
24+
Modules
180+
Questions
CRITERION A
Modern world events & turning points
Geography
Human & physical environments
Economics
Markets, development & globalisation
CRITERION A
Power, governance & human rights
IB MYP Individuals & Societies Assessment Framework
All Four Criteria — Fully Elaborated
MYP I&S criteria A–D assess knowledge, research skills, communication, and critical thinking. Each criterion is worth 8 marks.
Criterion a MAX 8 MARKS 🌍
Knowing and Understanding
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of subject-specific content and concepts through accurate use of terminology, facts, events, and relationships between key ideas in Individuals and Societies.📋 Assessment Strands (i–iv)
Use relevant terminology and concepts accurately
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of subject-specific content and concepts
Explain the relationship between concepts and/or phenomena
Analyse and apply concepts to real-world events, issues, and case studies
🌍 I&S Topics Covered
History
- Causes of World War I and II
- The Cold War — origins, crises, and end
- Decolonisation and independence movements
- The Holocaust and genocide studies
- The rise of totalitarianism — Stalin, Hitler, Mao
Geography
- Population — growth, migration, urbanisation
- Development indicators (HDI, GNI, literacy)
- Climate, biomes, and natural hazards
- Globalisation and its geographic impacts
- Resource management — water, food, energy
Economics
- Supply, demand, and market equilibrium
- GDP, inflation, and economic indicators
- Trade, aid, and interdependence
- Poverty traps and sustainable development
- Economic systems — market, command, mixed
Political Science
- Types of government — democracy, autocracy
- Human rights and international law
- United Nations and global governance
- Political ideologies — liberalism, socialism
- Elections, power, and civil society
Criterion b MAX 8 MARKS 🔎
Investigating
Formulate meaningful research questions, plan and implement investigations, collect and record relevant information from a range of primary and secondary sources, and reflect critically on the research process.📋 Assessment Strands (i–iv)
Formulate a clear and focused research question and explain its significance
Formulate and follow a clear and appropriate research plan and justify the choice of sources
Collect and record relevant information and data from a range of sources
Reflect on the process of investigation and evaluate the quality of the information collected
🌍 I&S Topics Covered
Research Methods
- Primary sources — interviews, surveys, field work
- Secondary sources — books, articles, databases
- Qualitative vs quantitative data
- OPVL — origin, purpose, value, limitations
- Evaluating source reliability and bias
Historical Inquiry
- Formulating historical questions
- Using primary documents and archives
- Corroborating multiple sources
- Identifying perspective and propaganda
- Case study depth vs breadth
Geographic Fieldwork
- Collecting data in the field
- Questionnaires and sampling strategies
- Mapping, sketching, and annotating
- Environmental audits and surveys
- Evaluating fieldwork methodology
Data Literacy
- Reading and interpreting graphs and maps
- Statistical measures — mean, range, correlation
- Population pyramids and demographic data
- Economic data tables and indices
- Synthesising data from multiple sources
Criterion c MAX 8 MARKS 📖
Communicating
Communicate information and ideas effectively using an appropriate register, structure, and format. Present findings clearly, use academic conventions, cite sources correctly, and tailor communication to a specific audience and purpose.📋 Assessment Strands (i–iv)
Communicate information and ideas clearly using an appropriate format and style
Structure information and ideas in a way that is appropriate to the task
Document sources of information using a recognised referencing system
Use terminology and subject-specific language accurately and consistently
🌍 I&S Topics Covered
Essay Writing
- Thesis-driven argumentative essays
- Structured paragraphs with evidence and analysis
- Compare and contrast essay technique
- Cause and consequence essays
- Historical extended response writing
Presentation Skills
- Structuring a formal academic presentation
- Using visual aids — maps, graphs, timelines
- Adapting tone for audience and purpose
- Responding to questions with evidence
- Group and individual presentation formats
Academic Conventions
- MLA, APA, and Chicago citation styles
- Avoiding plagiarism — paraphrase and quote
- Bibliographies and in-text referencing
- Footnotes and endnotes in historical writing
- Academic honesty in I&S assessments
Graphic Communication
- Creating annotated maps and diagrams
- Drawing timelines and sequence charts
- Infographics for development data
- Tables, graphs, and their correct labelling
- Posters and visual summaries
Criterion d MAX 8 MARKS 🎧
Thinking Critically
Discuss concepts and issues from multiple perspectives, analyse and evaluate a range of sources and information, and synthesise knowledge to make reasoned, evidence-based judgements on real-world questions.📋 Assessment Strands (i–iv)
Discuss concepts and issues, providing in-depth analysis
Synthesise information to make valid, well-supported arguments
Analyse and evaluate a range of sources or approaches to the concept or issue
Reflect on how a conclusion or viewpoint can be justified from evidence
🌍 I&S Topics Covered
Perspectives & Bias
- Understanding political and cultural bias
- Comparing nationalist and global perspectives
- Media literacy and critical consumption
- Propaganda analysis techniques
- Recognising Eurocentrism in historical narratives
Cause & Consequence
- Short-term vs long-term causes and effects
- Significance and weighting of historical causes
- Intended and unintended consequences
- Turning points in history and geography
- Systems thinking in social science
Ethics & Justice
- Ethical frameworks — utilitarianism, rights-based
- Environmental justice and intergenerational equity
- Distributive justice and global inequality
- Humanitarian intervention — when is it justified?
- Corporate responsibility and sustainability
Synthesis & Judgement
- Weighing competing claims with evidence
- Drawing conclusions across disciplines
- Evaluating the success of policies and events
- Connecting local and global case studies
- Making and defending reasoned historical judgements
Standard & Extended I&S
Choose the level that matches your school’s MYP Individuals & Societies programme
LEVEL 01
Standard
I&S
Core skills across all four I&S disciplines. Builds historical thinking, geographic literacy, economic understanding, and civic knowledge with structured essay and research practice.LEVEL 02
Extended
I&S
Deeper content for humanities specialists. Adds historiography, political economy, global issues, and full IA support — preparing students for IB DP History, Geography, and Economics.OUR REVIEWS
Empowering the Future of Learning
Topic Modules
What You Will Learn
UNIT 01
Historical Perspectives
- 20th century conflicts and their causes
- Rights movements — civil, women, colonial
- Leaders and turning points in modern history
- Source analysis using the OPVL method
- Structured historical essay technique
UNIT 02
Geographic Concepts
- Physical geography — climate, rivers, coasts
- Human geography — cities, migration, trade
- Development and inequality between nations
- Environmental challenges and sustainability
- Reading and drawing geographic data maps
UNIT 03
Societies & Culture
- Identity — nationality, ethnicity, religion
- Globalisation and cultural exchange
- Social structures and institutions
- Gender, equality, and representation
- Media and society — influence and responsibility
UNIT 04
Economics for I&S
- Basic supply and demand
- Economic development and HDI
- Fair trade and global trade systems
- Aid, debt, and dependency
- Sustainable development goals (SDGs)
UNIT 01
Advanced Historiography
- Schools of historical thought
- Revisionist history and contested narratives
- Comparative history across regions
- Using quantitative data in historical analysis
- Extended historical essay structure (IB style)
UNIT 02
Political
Economy
- Capitalism, socialism, and mixed economies
- International institutions — IMF, World Bank, WTO
- Structural adjustment and its consequences
- Regional integration — EU, ASEAN, African Union
- Globalisation: winners, losers, and critics
UNIT 03
Human Rights & Global Issues
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- Refugee crises and international law
- Genocide, war crimes, and the ICC
- Climate justice and intergenerational equity
- Sustainable Development Goals — progress and gaps
UNIT 04
Research & the IB Internal Assessment
- Choosing a meaningful research question
- Planning a multi-source investigation
- Synthesising qualitative and quantitative data
- Structuring the I&S internal assessment
- Evaluating your own research critically
What’s Included
Everything You Need to Excel
Topic Notes
Concise, exam-focused notes for every History, Geography, Economics, and Politics unit
Source Packs
Curated primary and secondary sources with guided OPVL analysis frameworks
Model Essays
Annotated Band 7–8 responses across all four criteria with marker commentary
Map & Data Library
Annotated maps, population pyramids, development data tables, and geographic diagrams
IA Support
Step-by-step internal assessment templates, planning guides, and feedback checklists
Presentation Guides
Structured frameworks for delivering compelling, evidence-based I&S presentations
Ready to master
IB MYP I&S?
Structured, criterion-aligned Individuals & Societies tutorials for IB MYP Years 4 & 5 — Standard and Extended — taught by specialist IB humanities educators.
