Welcome to IB Geography

Geographers are a sociable bunch – so who is who?

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establishment

Exam board Grade H/S

Course description …

• The aim of the course is to give you a broad understanding of the world in which you live.

• To discuss the major changes of global population change and economic development and how these issues are impacting on the world around you.

• To develop your research and analytical skills through fieldwork and problem solving exercises!

You will study the importance of world population change and the demands this places on global resources.

An understanding of sustainable management will be linked to the uneven development which has caused such differences between richer and poorer countries in the global economy. You will analyse the causes of global development and the study of migration and multiculturalism.

River basins are studied with an understanding of flood management. The global hazards of volcanoes and earthquakes are studied along with plate tectonics. You will consider the human impacts of such events.

Major characteristics of large settlements will be studied along with the impact of transport in and around such thriving centres

You will need to complete a fieldwork report which will enable you to choose a topic of interest to you and develop a greater personal understanding of this topic.

assessment

There will be internal exams set at the end of yr 12

In yr 13 mock exams will be set before the external exams – same length and quality as external exams.

Fieldwork reports will be monitored throughout yr 13

higherExternal Assessment 75%

Written papers 4 hoursPaper 1 1½ hours 25%Three questions, based on the core theme. Students are required to answer two questions.The maximum mark for each question is 25.Paper 2 2½ hours 50%Eleven questions on the optional themes. Students are required to answer four questions. The maximum mark for each question is 20. Two questions must be answered from section A and one from section B, with thefourth question answered from either section A, section B or section C.

Internal Assessment 25%Fieldwork• Fieldwork, leading to one written report (2,500 words), is to be internally

assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IBO.

StandardExternal Assessment 80%Written papers 3 hours

Paper 1 1½ hours 40%Three questions, based on the core theme. Students are required to

answer two questions. The maximum mark for each question is 25.

Paper 2 1½ hours 40%Eleven questions on the optional themes. Students are required to answer two questions.The maximum mark for each question is 20.

.Internal Assessment 20%• Coursework• One piece of coursework (approximately 1,500 words) is to be internally assessed• and externally moderated by the IBO.

Higher Standard

Core Theme

Population, resources and development

Population, resources and development

Optional themes

4 2

Drainage basins and their management

Lithospheric processes

Lithospheric processes and hazards

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Settlements

Globalization

skillsStudents are required to develop a number of geographical skills that must be introduced and developed throughout the syllabus as appropriate to the themes.

• 1.1 Locate and differentiate elements of the Earth’s surface• 1.2 Read, interpret, analyse and produce maps• 1.3 Interpret topographic maps where appropriate to the optional

themes• 1.4 Read, interpret, analyse and construct graphs• 1.5 Undertake statistical calculations to show patterns and changes• 1.6 Manipulate and interpret data using quantitative techniques• 1.7 Undertake geographical investigation• 1.8 Produce written material

Aims of the diploma programme…

enable students to:• 1. develop a global perspective and a sense of world interdependence• 2. develop an understanding of the interrelationship between people, place

and the environment• 3. develop a concern for the quality of the environment, and an

understanding of the need to plan• and manage for present and future generations• 4. appreciate the relevance of geography in analysing contemporary world

issues, and develop and• modify values and attitudes in relation to geographical problems and issues• 5. recognize the need for social justice, equality and respect for others;

appreciate diversity; and• combat bias, prejudice and stereotyping• 6. develop an appreciation of the range of geographical methodologies and

apply appropriate techniques of inquiry.

• At both higher level (HL) and standard level (SL), the Diploma Programme geography syllabus

• consists of three compulsory parts:

• • part 1: geographical skills

• • part 2: core theme

• • part 3: optional themes.

SkillsThe first part, geographical skills, provides the skills that

enable students to apply the techniques of geography and use appropriate terminology. It is essential that the skills are covered throughout the whole syllabus (at both HL and SL), are delivered through the content of the core and optional themes as appropriate, and are fully integrated into teaching rather than being treated in isolation.

Use of Case Studies and Examples• Case studies and examples are to be used where

appropriate to illustrate content.

Resources

You will need to be issued with the following books:

Useful websites….

• http://www.geographyjim.org/

• Geographyalltheway.com