PRESCRIBED SUBJECTS One prescribed subject must be chosen for study from the following list.
For each prescribed subject two case studies, from different regions of the world, are identified. Both of the case studies for the prescribed subject selected must be studied. Each of the case studies has quite a narrow focus, so it is therefore important that teachers also help students to understand the wider context in which the case study takes place.
The prescribed subjects are assessed on paper 1, which is a source-based examination paper (see the “External assessment” section for more details). It is therefore important that the content for the chosen prescribed subject be explored using a range of original evidence and secondary works, so that students develop the skills required for this component. (IB History Guide)
1. Military leaders Case study 1: Genghis Khan c1200–1227 Case study 2: Richard I of England (1173–1199)
2. Conquest and its impact Case study 1: The final stages of Muslim rule in Spain Case study 2: The conquest of Mexico and Peru (1519–1551)
3. The move to global war Case study 1: Japanese expansion in East Asia (1931–1941) Case study 2: German and Italian expansion (1933–1940)
4. Rights and protest Case study 1: Civil rights movement in the United States (1954–1965) Case study 2: Apartheid South Africa (1948–1964)
5. Conflict and intervention Case study 1: Rwanda (1990–1998) Case study 2: Kosovo (1989–2002)