International Baccalaureate deemed 'un-American' and Marxist

[Philosophy]

A US school district has banned the International Baccalaureate after officials condemned it as 'un-American' and Marxist

Let me offer my opinions on this issue, since it is a touchy one, and I am internationally baccalaureated.

Nationalism is okay, but xenophobia is not. There's virtually nothing wrong with un-Americanism or Marxism. Being intolerant towards ideas different than one's own is just plain stupid. Plus, the International Baccalaureate does not endorse any particular point of view. It was designed to introduce to generations of thoughtful and articulate pupils multiple perspectives and paradigms in order that they become globalised.

[livius drusus]

I wouldn't say it was designed to "globalise" students -- globalization is a whole other thing, really -- but it's certainly true that the IB is not a US-centric program and I suspect only a strict America-first curriculum would satisfy the 5 people on that school board.

In any case, it's good to see the outpouring of support for the IB. When I got my diploma 15 years ago it was virtually unheard of in the US outside of college admissions offices.

[godfry n. glad]

Originally Posted by livius drusus

In any case, it's good to see the outpouring of support for the IB. When I got my diploma 15 years ago it was virtually unheard of in the US outside of college admissions offices.

You're...a...Marxist? An un-American Marxist?

[livius drusus]

[Philosophy]

Hail Marx. Hail Lenin. Hail Hitler.







It wouldn't be wrong even if the Bac advocated Marxism. You know, Americanism is not all there is.

liv, you should notice that in the IB Modern History curriculum there's a substantial amount of communism and marxism. Also, the concentration is more about the Soviet Union in the Cold War than America.

Originally Posted by livius drusus

I wouldn't say it was designed to "globalise" students -- globalization is a whole other thing, really -- but it's certainly true that the IB is not a US-centric program and I suspect only a strict America-first curriculum would satisfy the 5 people on that school board.

AP is what they want.

Originally Posted by livius drusus

In any case, it's good to see the outpouring of support for the IB. When I got my diploma 15 years ago it was virtually unheard of in the US outside of college admissions offices.

The IB gets more recognition each year, thanks to the IBO's clever administration.

[livius drusus]

Originally Posted by Philosophy

It wouldn't be wrong even if the Bac advocated Marxism. You know, Americanism is not all there is.

Yes. I know. What's with the condecension? Also, it's the IB. The Bac is the French diploma.

Originally Posted by Philosophy

liv, you should notice that in the IB Modern History curriculum there's a substantial amount of communism and marxism. Also, the concentration is more about the Soviet Union in the Cold War than America.

I am familiar with the IB curriculum. I'm not sure what I wrote that led you to believe I wasn't.

[Philosophy]

Originally Posted by livius drusus

I am familiar with the IB curriculum. I'm not sure what I wrote that led you to believe I wasn't.

The IB changes its curriculum every few years, so I didn't think that the HL Modern History + Regional History that you did years and years ago had the same syllabus. I doubt our syllabi are the same.

[livius drusus]

Core elements remain. Even if they didn't, however, what makes you think I rely solely on my own experience to inform my understanding?

[Philosophy]

Originally Posted by livius drusus

Yes. I know. What's with the condecension? Also, it's the IB. The Bac is the French diploma.

Okay, it's the I-Bac.

Originally Posted by livius drusus

Evidence? That claim isn't in the article you linked you.

AP is more US-centric than the IB and as you said, the 5 people want a US-centric programme of study.

[livius drusus]

Originally Posted by Philosophy

AP is more US-centric than the IB and as you said, the 5 people want a US-centric programme of study.

You are leaping to an unwarranted conclusion. Even AP may not be sufficiently US-centric for their tastes. The article made no mention of it either way.

[Philosophy]

But the AP is national.

[livius drusus]

So? That doesn't mean its curriculum is sufficiently americanocentric to satisfy those particular politicians. You're just assuming based on no evidence whatsoever.

[Odysseus]

For what it is worth, my old school are using that in conjunction with a levels. I believe that academically it is very good.

[BDS]

My son took the IB program in high school, and he is now a Communist. The program is designed encourage psychediclic drug use, and promote Maoism. It should be stamped out wherever we see it, and any students who have been exposed to it should be sent to mandatory "re-education camps", where they should be forced to watch The Alamo, starring John Wayne, over and over again.

[livius drusus]

Well said, sir.

[Odysseus]

Originally Posted by BDS

My son took the IB program in high school, and he is now a Communist. The program is designed encourage psychediclic drug use, and promote Maoism. It should be stamped out wherever we see it, and any students who have been exposed to it should be sent to mandatory "re-education camps", where they should be forced to watch The Alamo, starring John Wayne, over and over again.

[Philosophy]

Well, the IB is growing steadily. It's time for Marxism and Imperialism to take over, again.

[fragment]

Marxism and imperialism? I thought the two were supposed to be mutually contradictory.

[Clutch Munny]

See, Ozzy Osbourne peed on the Alamo, and I'm pretty sure he went through the IB programme. At least, he was some sort of foreigner, which is practically the same thing.

[Shake]

Originally Posted by livius drusus

[IB] ... was virtually unheard of in the US outside of college admissions offices.

I'd never heard of it before seeing this thread. I was going to ask what it was about, but I found something in the article:

... it offers subjects such as environmental systems, technology and social change, peace and conflict studies and experimental science, with an international flavour, alongside the "drier" subjects such as English, maths, history, geography, physics, chemistry, biology and foreign languages, that stir less debate, but are actually a much larger part of the core curriculum.

Sounds pretty interesting to me!

And I've gotta laugh when I see stuff like this:

... angry parents ... further complained that the IB tests "were developed in a foreign country".

These people obviously haven't heard about the reports about how poorly the average American student does in comparison with foreign students.

Now, I'm gonna go find out more about this IB curriculum if I can.

[livius drusus]

The horse's mouth. There are elementary and middle school programs as well, but the diploma is the best known and most popular one.

[cappuccino]

I loved taking IB courses, my high school was one of the few that offered a full IB program in addition to AP courses. I took both and had a total blast!

[Philosophy]

Did you do the entire IB Diploma? What total score did you get? What subjects did you do? What did you get in each subject? What did you get for TOK? What did you get for EE?

[livius drusus]

You have the right to remain silent, capp. Any seven you received may be held against you in the court of teenage hypercompetitive jealousy.

[Sock Puppet]