History is a dynamic, contested, evidence-based discipline that involves an exciting engagement with the past.
History is an exploratory subject that fosters a sense of inquiry. It is also an interpretive discipline, allowing opportunity for engagement with multiple perspectives and opinions. Studying history develops an understanding of the past, which leads to a deeper understanding of the nature of humans and of the world today.
The Diploma Programme (DP) history course is a world history course based on a comparative, multi-perspective approach to history and focused around key historical concepts such as change, causation and significance. It involves the study of a variety of types of history, including political, economic, social and cultural, encouraging students to think historically and to develop historical skills. In this way, the course involves a challenging and demanding critical exploration of the past.
The DP history course requires students to study and compare examples from different regions of the world, helping to foster international mindedness. Teachers have a great deal of freedom to choose relevant examples to explore with their students, helping to ensure that the course meets their students’ needs and interests regardless of their location or context.
History is available at both Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL).
Syllabus outline
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Prescribed subjects (one to be studied) |
1. Military leaders |
SL and HL |
| World history topics (two to be studied) |
1. Society and economy (750-1400) |
SL and HL |
| HL options: Depth studies (one to be studied) | 1. History of Africa and the Middle East 2. History of the Americas 3. History of Asia and Oceania 4. History of Europe |
HL only |
| Internal assessment | Historical investigation | SL and HL |
Learn more about history in a DP workshop for teachers.
History subject brief
Subject briefs are short two-page documents providing an outline of the course. Read the standard level (SL) and/or higher level (HL) subject brief below.
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