Geography SL/HL

Description

Tutors: 

Michail Thunert, Chiara Ferrari

1) Geography in the IBDP: 

Geography is a dynamic subject that 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 such 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 actors, with varying powers over decision-making processes.

Within individuals and societies subjects, geography is distinctive in its spatial dimension and occupies a middle ground between social or human sciences and natural sciences. The Diploma Programme geography 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 relevant concepts and ideas from a wide variety of disciplines. This helps students develop life skills and have an appreciation of, and a respect for, alternative approaches, viewpoints and ideas.

Geography Aims:

The aims of the geography course at SL and HL are to enable students to:

1. develop an understanding of the dynamic interrelationships between people, places, spaces and the environment at different scales

2. develop a critical awareness and consider complexity thinking in the context of the nexus of geographic issues, including:

• • acquiring an in-depth understanding of how geographic issues, or wicked problems, have been shaped by powerful human and physical processes
  • synthesising diverse geographic knowledge in order to form viewpoints about how these issues could be resolved

3. understand and evaluate the need for planning and sustainable development through the management of resources at varying scales.

2) Syllabus Outline: 

Part 1: Geographic Themes – Seven Options: 

• • Option A: Freshwater
  • Option B: Oceans and Coastal Margins
  • Option C: Extreme Environments
  • Option D: Geophysical Hazards
  • Option E: Leisure, Tourism and Sport
  • Option F: Food and Health
  • Option G: Urban Environments

SL students cover two topics, HL students cover three.

Part 2: Geographic Perspectives – Global Change: 

• • Unit 1: Changing Populations
  • Unit 2: Global Climate – Vulnerability and Resilience
  • Unit 3: Global Resource Consumption and Security

Part 3: Geographic Perspectives – Global Interactions (HL) 

• • Unit 4: Power, Places and Networks
  • Unit 5: Human Development and Diversity
  • Unit 6: Global Risks and Resilience

Part 4: Internal Assessment – Field Work 

3) Assessment Outline: 

SL: 

• • Paper 1: Geographic Themes – two options (90 minutes)
  • Paper 2: Geographic Perspectives – Global Change (75 minutes)
  • Internal Assessment: Field Work – Written Report

HL 

• • Paper 1: Geographic Themes – three options (135 minutes)
  • Paper 2: Geographic Perspectives – Global Change (75 minutes)
  • Paper 3: Geographic Perspectives – Global Interactions (60 minutes)
  • Internal Assessment: Field Work – Written Report

For more information check out the: IB Geography Guide

Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/SCEywLgwj2E