Know all about IBDP Geography syllabus
IBDP geography syllabus is under the Group 3 Individuals and Societies subject choices. It is a multi-dimensional human science subject connecting the real world identities like individuals, societies and physical processes in both time and space. It also studies their mutual interactions. It studies their interplay, the patterns and trends of their interaction. The subject goes to the depth of studying the adaptability quotient between the humans of diverse traits, regions and cultures with their surroundings.
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The subject interconnects physical, environmental and human geography, and ensures that students acquire the skills to construct knowledge encompassing both socio-economic and scientific methodologies. The study integrates inter-disciplinary concepts which require analysis and interpretation skills of learners to proactively participate in collaborative discussion and reflection.
IB Geography
The SL students study two optional themes whereas the HL students study three optional themes, providing more of a horizontal integration in assessment. Both SL and HL students study the core geographic perspectives—global change. HL students study in depth the HL extension geographic perspectives—global interactions, and further examine, assimilate, critique and synthesize the prescribed complex interlinked concepts with a vertical integration in assessment.
Both SL and HL students complete a fieldwork study for the internal assessment.
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It’s interesting to note that the optional themes, the core SL and HL themes, and the HL extension cover AOK-s that are often affected by personal bias and value judgments. Hence, it is imperative that the students inculcate deep analytical and critical thinking skills to critique the contemporary themes and just not recognize and interpret them.
IBDP Geography & TOK
The approach towards constructing knowledge in geography involves a variety of WOK-s as archival evidence, data collection, experimentation, observation, and inductive and deductive reasoning.
Geography students indulge into analytical thinking about the people and their surroundings. This helps students to figure out a realistic, intriguing and challenging RLS and drawing a coherent KQ out of it. For example, a Knowledge Question may look like- How do maps connect with reality?
Geography & CAS
CAS and geography can complement each other in a number of ways; identifying the interplay between the individuals, societies and processes in a local and global perspective.
Geography & EE
An extended essay (EE) in geography is not an extension of the internal assessment task for the subject. Students must comprehend the clear distinction between the internal assessment and the extended essay.
Students get to implement a myriad of geographic skills to complete the independent research under the school supervisor using geographic concepts, theories, methodologies and sources.
MYP forms a premise for IBDP Geography
Out of the 16 key concepts, 4 concepts like Systems, Change, Time, space and place and Global interactions form a prior knowledge for Group 3 DP subject Individuals and Societies.
Geography for the career path (CP) candidates
Geography is useful for CP students considering careers in, for example, the environmental and resource sphere, health care, tourism industries, the technology industry, social informatics, urban planning or international engagement. The subject nurtures the students’ thinking with the spinning of interconnected ideas and theories on environment, individuals and societies, hence making a cogent analysis of the similarities and dissimilarities.
Aims and objectives
Individuals and societies aim to evaluate theories and concepts, inspire the students on the organized and analytical study on the human experience and behavior, physical, economic, social and cultural environments, the history and development of social and cultural institutions by collecting data, organizing, framing of hypothesis and drawing conclusion after validation of the hypotheses.
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There are four assessment objectives (AOs) for the SL and HL Diploma Program geography course which include expectation from the students to demonstrate, identify, evaluate, synthesize, interpret knowledge and understanding on optional themes and geographic perspectives.
Integrating the aims and objectives with IB Learner profiles
- Inquirers explore geographic data with the help of GIS/Geographic Information System.
- Knowledgeable learners construct knowledge encompassing the trans-disciplinary themes.
- Thinkers apply their constructed knowledge with the help of researching and interpreting the data and information.
- Communicators communicate their essays, reports and case study surveys to fellow mates with the use of statistical representations.
- Principled learners apply their skills to present survey report with academic honesty and integrity.
- Open-minded students use their skills to critique information presented in terms of reliability, bias, relevance and accuracy.
- Caring students show empathy and remain proactive in dealing with those elements related to sustainability and acting on CAS opportunities—especially those related to aspects of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- Risk-takers take up risk in making rational decisions.
- Balanced individuals collect primary data in fieldwork and the subsequent treatment, display and analysis of the information.
- Reflective learners collect, organize geographic data, frame hypothesis and draw rational conclusions validating the observations.
IB Geography syllabus
IB geaography syllabus PART 1 consists of 7 optional themes out of which any 2 are chosen by the SL learners and any 3 by the HL learners. The topics to be studied are Freshwater—drainage basins, Oceans and coastal margins, Extreme environments, Geophysical hazards, Leisure, tourism and sport, Food and health, Urban environments.
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The total number of instruction hours for SL optional theme is 60. Paper 1 SL weighs 35%. 45 minutes time is allotted to each of the two options. So, a total of 1 hour 30 minutes is dedicated for two optional themes studied in the SL. Each option has a structured question and one extended answer question from a choice of two. For each option the marks distribution on structured and extended question is 10+10=20. Hence, for both the optional themes the total marks allotted is 40.
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The total number of instruction hours for HL optional theme is 90. Paper 1 HL weighs 35%. 45 minutes time is allotted to each of the three options. So, a total of 2 hour 15 minutes is dedicated for three optional themes studied in the HL. Each option has a structured question and one extended answer question from a choice of two. For each option the marks distribution on
structured and extended question is 10+10=20. Hence, for all the three optional themes the total marks allotted is 60.
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PART 2 consists of SL and HL core on Geographic perspectives highlighting on the global change. The topics in the Geography common core are Population distribution— changing population, Global climate— vulnerability and resilience, Global resource consumption and security.
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The total number of instruction hours for SL core is 70. Paper 2 SL weighs 40%. So, a total of 1 hour 15 minutes is allotted to Paper 2. In Paper 2- Section A there are three structured questions, based on each SL/HL core unit worth of 30 marks, Section B has Info-graphic or visual stimulus, with
structured questions 10 marks, Section C has one extended answer question from a choice of two and is of 10 marks. Hence, a total of 50 marks is allotted to SL Paper 2.
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The total number of instruction hours for HL core is 70. Paper 2 HL weighs 25%. So, a total of 1 hour 15 minutes is allotted to Paper 2. In Paper 2- Section A there are three structured questions, based on each SL/HL core unit worth of 30 marks, Section B has Info-graphic or visual stimulus, with
structured questions 10 marks, Section C has one extended answer question from a choice of two and is of 10 marks. Hence, a total of 50 marks is allotted to SL Paper 2.
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PART 2 HL core extension is for the HL students only. It has a coverage on Geographic perspectives based on the global interactions. The topics covered are Power, places and networks, Human development and diversity, Global risks and resilience.
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Paper 3 HL weighs 20%. Total time allotted is 60 hours. There is a choice of three extended answer questions, with two parts, based on each HL core unit worth of 28 marks comprised of Part A of 12 marks and Part B of 16 marks.
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TOTAL EXAMINATION TIME for SL Papers 1 and 2 is 2 hours 45 minutes and for HL Papers 1, 2 and 3 is 4 hours 30 minutes.
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