IB Diploma - Geography

Course Outline

The IB Diploma programme’s Geography syllabus at Higher and Standard Level is divided into 3 parts:

  • Geographical skills
  • Core theme
  • Optional themes

All students are required to develop a number of geographical skills, which are introduced and developed throughout the syllabus, building on the skills acquired during the Middle Years Programme. The study of the core theme of Patterns and Change is compulsory for all students. For higher level, three optional themes are studied whereas standard level students study just two. In addition, higher level students study an extension unit about Global Interactions.

Syllabus component

Teaching hours

SL

HL

Geographic skills—integrated throughout the course

-

-

Part 1: Core theme—patterns and change (SL/HL)
There are four compulsory topics in this core theme.
1. Populations in transition
2. Disparities in wealth and development
3. Patterns in environmental quality and sustainability
4. Patterns in resource consumption

70

70

Part 2: Optional themes (SL/HL)
There are seven optional themes; each requires 30 teaching hours.
Two optional themes are required at SL. (¹ UIS Options for SL and HL)
Three optional themes are required at HL. (² UIS Option for HL only)
A. Freshwater—issues and conflicts ²
D. Hazards and disasters—risk assessment and response ¹
E. Leisure, sport and tourism ¹

60

90

Part 3: HL extension—global interactions (HL only)
There are seven compulsory topics in the HL extension.
1. Measuring global interactions
2. Changing space—the shrinking world
3. Economic interactions and flows
4. Environmental change
5. Sociocultural exchanges
6. Political outcomes
7. Global interactions at the local level

 

60

Fieldwork (SL/HL)
Fieldwork, leading to one written report based on a fieldwork question,
information collection and analysis with evaluation.

20

20

Total teaching hours

150

240

   
The teaching of Geographical skills will be integrated into the whole content outlined above.

Assessment


The course is assessed both externally and internally in order to arrive at an overall level of 1 to 7 for the subject.

STANDARD LEVEL


Assessment component

Weighting

External assessment (2 hours 50 minutes)
Paper 1 (1 hour 30 minutes)
Syllabus content: Core theme
Paper 2 (1 hour 20 minutes)
Syllabus content: Two optional themes

75%            
40%

35%

Internal assessment (20 hours)
Internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IB.
Written report based on fieldwork. Maximum 2,500 words (30 marks)

25%

HIGHER LEVEL


Assessment component

Weighting

External assessment (4 hours 30 minutes)
Paper 1 (1 hour 30 minutes)
Syllabus content: Core theme
Paper 2 (2 hours)
Syllabus content: Three optional themes
Paper 3 (1 hour)
Syllabus content: Higher level extension

80%            
25%

35%

20%

Internal assessment (20 hours)
Internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IB
Written report based on fieldwork. Maximum 2,500 words (30 marks)

20%

Resources
Core texts:

  • Geography: an integrated approach – D.Waugh
  • Geography for the IB Diploma: Patterns and Change – P.Guinness
  • Planet  Geography (5th Ed) – S.Codrington

Supplementary text – Population, resources and development – J.Crispin & F.Jegede.

Students also have access to a number of other important textbooks in the library, which they are expected to use regularly, both for reading and making extra notes, eg
IB Geography Study Guide
Advanced geography – G.Nagle 
Essential AS Geography – S.Ross et al
Advanced Geography – Guinness & Nagle

Online resources: http://ibgeog2009.wikispaces.com/ is a Geography wiki specially set up to allow IB students to access up-to-date resources. Naturally there are numerous other excellent websites to use.
Students should also aim to keep up-to-date with events occurring around the world by watching news reports and reading newspapers or news websites.
       
In addition, there are current geographical periodicals / journals that students are expected to use for reference in order to keep up-to-date with current issues, eg  ‘Geography Review’  and ‘Geoactive’ magazines.

For further information please download the Diploma Subject Guide