IB Geography
IB geography 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. IB geography 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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IB Geography notes
IB geography 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 of IB geography integrates inter-disciplinary concepts which require analysis and interpretation skills of learners to proactively participate in collaborative discussion and reflection.
As IB HL or SL students, you aim to study IB geography HL or SL critically right from the inception of the IB Diploma Programme. The SL students of IB geography study two optional themes whereas the HL students study three optional themes, providing more of a horizontal integration in assessment in IB geography. Both SL and HL students of IB geography study the core geographic perspectives—global change. HL students of IB geography 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.
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Both SL and HL students of IB geography complete a fieldwork study for the internal assessment. It is imperative that the students inculcate deep analytical and critical thinking skills to critique the contemporary themes, just not recognize, and interpret them.
IB Geography and TOK
The approach towards constructing knowledge in IB geography and TOK. IB geography students indulge into analytical thinking about the people and their surroundings. This helps students to figure out a realistic, intriguing and challenging real life situation and drawing a coherent knowledge question out of it.
For example, a knowledge question may look like- How do maps connect with reality?
MYP global contexts
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 careers
Geography careers focus on the environmental and resource sphere, health care, tourism industries, the technology industry, social informatics, urban planning or international engagement. The subject IB geography 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.
IB Geography aims
IB geography aims to evaluate theories and concepts, inspire the students on the organized and analytical study on the human experience and behaviour, 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 for the IB geography HL, SL which include expectation from the students to demonstrate, identify, evaluate, synthesize, interpret knowledge and understanding on optional themes and geographic perspectives.
Learner profile IB
- Learner profile IB integrates with the aims, nature of subject for IB geography.
- Inquirers explore geographic data with the help of GIS or 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 of IB geography 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 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- Risk-takers take up risk in making rational decisions.
- Balanced individuals studying IB geography collect primary data in fieldwork and the subsequent treatment, display and analysis of the information.
- Reflective learners of IB geography collect, organize geographic data, frame hypothesis and draw rational conclusions validating the observations.
IB geography 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.
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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