DP Geography

IB Diploma Geography Curriculum Overview

The IB Diploma Geography course explores the interactions between people, places, and the environment, fostering a deep understanding of global issues and spatial patterns. It combines both physical and human geography, encouraging students to develop analytical, research, and critical thinking skills. The curriculum promotes international awareness and the ability to address real-world challenges.

📘 Core Themes (SL and HL)

The core syllabus covers key global challenges and processes:

Population Distribution – Changing Population: Demographic trends, migration, and population policies.
Global Climate – Vulnerability and Resilience: Causes and consequences of climate change and strategies for mitigation and adaptation.
Global Resource Consumption and Security: Food, water, and energy security issues and sustainable management strategies.

📚 Optional Themes (One for SL, Two for HL)

Students explore topics that connect global patterns to local case studies, choosing from:

Freshwater – Drainage Basins
Oceans and Coastal Margins
Extreme Environments
Geophysical Hazards
Leisure, Tourism, and Sport
Food and Health
Urban Environments

📊 HL Extension – Global Interactions (HL only)

Higher Level students engage with global processes and their impacts, such as:

Power, Places, and Networks: The global distribution of power and influence.
Human Development and Diversity: Development theories and socio-cultural change.
Global Risks and Resilience: Responses to challenges like pandemics, cyber-attacks, and financial crises.

🧪 Internal Assessment (IA)

A fieldwork-based report (25% of SL and 20% of HL final grade) where students apply geographic inquiry methods to a real-world location, collecting and analyzing data.

📈 External Assessments

Paper 1 (Themes): Structured short-answer and extended-response questions (for both SL and HL).
Paper 2 (Core): Data-response and essay questions covering core themes.
Paper 3 (HL only – Global Interactions): Essay-based questions on the HL extension topics.

🌟 Skills Developed:

Geographic data analysis and interpretation
Map reading and cartographic skills
Fieldwork techniques and primary data collection
Critical thinking and problem-solving
Essay writing and structured argumentation

The IB Diploma Geography course equips students with the tools to understand and address global challenges, preparing them for further study and careers in fields such as urban planning, environmental science, and international development.

#IBDiploma #IBGeography #IBCurriculum #GlobalLearning #Edspry