Chatsworth International School, Orchard Campus

Geography

Geography? Without it you’d be lost.

"Geography doesn't simply begin and end with maps showing the location of all the countries of the world. In fact, such maps don't necessarily tell us much. No -- geography poses fascinating questions about who we are and how we got to be that way, and then provides clues to the answers. It is impossible to understand history, international politics, the world economy, religions, philosophy, or 'patterns of culture' without taking geography into account.

Geography is the mother lode of sciences. It's the hub of a circle from which other sciences and studies radiate: meteorology and climatology, ecology, geology, oceanography, demographics, cartography, agricultural studies, economics, political science. At some level, all these can be related back to geographic factors. It is obvious that a solid understanding of geography is a vital, basic ingredient for a rounded, full understanding of the world and the universe."

- Kenneth C. Davis, Don't Know Much About Geography 1992

Geography Aims

The aims of Geography at IB level are to:

encourage the systematic and critical study of: human experience and behaviour; physical, economic and social environments; and the history and development of social and cultural institutions
develop in the student the capacity to identify, to analyse critically and to evaluate theories, concepts and arguments about the nature and activities of the individual and society
enable the student to collect, describe and analyse data used in studies of society, to test hypotheses, and to interpret complex data and source material promote the appreciation of the way in which learning is relevant both to the culture in which the student lives, and the culture of other societies
develop an awareness in the student that human attitudes and beliefs are widely diverse and that the study of society requires an appreciation of such diversity
develop an understanding of the interrelationships between people, places, spaces and the environment
develop a concern for human welfare and the quality of the environment, and an understanding of the need for planning and sustainable management
appreciate the relevance of geography in analysing contemporary issues and challenges, and develop a global perspective of diversity and change.

IB Geography is a two-year course that can be undertaken at both Higher Level and Standard Level.

Syllabus For 2011 Exam

Geographic skills—integrated throughout the course

Part 1: Core theme—patterns and change (SL/HL)

There are four compulsory topics in this core theme.

Populations in transition
Disparities in wealth and development
Patterns in environmental quality and sustainability
Patterns in resource consumption

Part 2: Optional themes (SL/HL)

There are seven optional themes; each requires 30 teaching hours.
Two optional themes are required at SL.

Three optional themes are required at HL.

Freshwater—issues and conflicts
Oceans and their coastal margins
Extreme environments
Hazards and disasters—risk assessment and response
Leisure, sport and tourism
The geography of food and health
Urban environments

Part 3: HL extension—global interactions (HL only)

There are seven compulsory topics in the HL extension.

Measuring global interactions
Changing space—the shrinking world
Economic interactions and flows
Environmental change
Sociocultural exchanges
Political outcomes
Global interactions at the local level

Fieldwork (SL/HL)

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

Assessment

SL Weighting

HL Weighting

External Assessment

Paper 1
1 hour 30 minutes (60 marks)

40%

Syllabus content: Core theme
Assessment objectives 1 - 4

Section A: Students answer all short-answer questions. Some include data (45 marks)

Section B: Students answer one extended response question (15 marks)

Sections A and B are common to both SL and HL assessment

Paper 2
1 hour 20 minutes (40 marks)

35%

Syllabus content: Two optional themes
Assessment objectives 1 - 4

Students answer two structured questions based on stimulus material, each selected from a different optional theme. For each theme there is a choice of two questions (20 marks per question)

Some stimuls material is included in the resources booklet.

This paper is common to both SL and HL assessment.

Paper 1
1 hour 30 minutes (60 marks)

25%

Syllabus content: Core theme
Assessment objectives 1 - 4

Section A: Students answer all short-answer questions. Some include data (45 marks)

Section B: Students answer one extended response question
(15 marks)

Sections A and B are common to both SL and HL assessment

Paper 2
2 hours (60 marks)

35%

Syllabus content: Three optional themes
Assessment objectives 1 - 4

Students answer three structured questions based on stimulus material, each selected from a different optional theme. For each theme there is a choice of two questions (20 marks per question)

Some stimuls material is included in the resources booklet.

This paper is common to both SL and HL assessment.

Paper 3
1 hour (25 marks)

20%

Syllabus content: Higher level extension
Assessment objectives 1 - 4

Students answer one of three essay questions.

Internal Assessment

20 hours (30 marks)

25%

This component is internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IB at the end of the course.

Syllabus content: Any topic from the syllabus
Assessment objectives 1 - 4

Written report basd on fieldwork.
Maximum 2,500 words (30 marks)