Geography

Courses offered:

Geography (HL) Geography (SL)

1. What is the nature of Geography at IB level?

Geography is a dynamic subject, which is firmly grounded in the real world and focuses on the interactions between individuals, societies and physical processes in both time and space. It seeks to identify trends and patterns in these interactions. It also investigates the way in which people adapt and respond to change, and evaluates actual and possible management strategies associated with change. Geography describes and helps to explain the similarities and differences between different places. These may be defined on a variety of scales and from the perspectives of a different range of actions, with varying powers over decision-making processes.

Within individuals and societies, Geography is distinctive in its spatial dimension and in its ability to bridge the arts, social and natural sciences. The course integrates physical, environmental and human geography, and ensures that students acquire elements of both socio-economic and scientific methodologies. Geography takes advantage of its position to examine contemporary issues, concepts and ideas from a wide variety of disciplines. This helps students have an appreciation of, and respect for, alternative approaches, viewpoints and ideas and be able to adapt effectively to changing circumstances (IBO, 2017).

2. What will be the approach to learning?

Learning in Geography is active and inquiry based, and students are encouraged to become thoughtful, proactive and independent learners.

3. What will be the subject content?

The Geography syllabus is conceptually framed, and allows students to engage with a broad range of contemporary issues. The course is divided into four parts as follows:

Part 1 – Geographic themes – seven options

 Freshwater*  Oceans and coastal margins  Extreme environments  Geophysical hazards  Leisure, tourism and sport  Food and health*  Urban environments*

Part 2 – Geographic perspectives – global change

 Population distribution – changing population  Global climate – vulnerability and resilience  Global resource consumption and security

Part 3 – Geographic perspectives – global interactions

HL – 3 options SL – 2 options

* Current options

HL and SL

 Power, places and networks  Human development and diversity  Global risks and resilience

Part 4 – Internal assessment - Fieldwork

 Fieldwork leading to one written report based on a fieldwork question, information collection and analysis with evaluation HL and SL

All students participate in a residential trip (5-6 days), which is compulsory in order to complete their internal assessment. The fieldwork draws on a suitable topic from the syllabus. Past examples of fieldwork include an investigation of river processes in Northern Thailand and the investigation of urban microclimates in Singapore.

4. What will be the nature of assessment?

Assessment consists of three papers and an Internal Assessment.

Part 1 – Paper 1

 HL (35%) – 3 options

 SL (35%) – 2 options  2 hours 15 minutes  1 hour 30 minutes  Each option has a structured question and one extended answer question from a choice of two

Part 2 – Paper 2

 HL (25%)

 SL (40%)  1 hours 15 minutes  1 hour 15 minutes  Three structured questions, infographic or visual stimulus with structured questions and one extended answer question from a choice of two

Part 3 – Paper 3

 HL only (20%)  1 hour  Students choose one question with two parts from a choice of three extended answer questions

Part 4 – Internal Assessment

 HL (20%)  SL (25%)  A written report (2,500 words) based on fieldwork drawing on a suitable topic from the syllabus .