Tackling climate change; food riots in Haiti; global pandemics; the rise of populist leaders in politics; deforestation in Amazonia; human trafficking; industrialisation in China; the San bushmen of the Kalahari; bottle Banks; Europe's refugee crisis; the growth of megacities; the legacy of the London Olympics; the Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascais; gender inequality; McDonalds; sex tourism; forest fires in Portugal; the Make Poverty History campaign; bush fires in Australia; globalisation; Extinction Rebellion; the U.N.; HIV/AIDS; conflicts over water and oil; the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals; poverty reduction and the rise of the New Global Middle Class.
The answer is that, one way or another, they all come into the IB’s excellent Geography syllabus – ensuring that no other subject is more relevant to the IB student’s personal perspective on life than Geography. In fact, if you don’t have anything to say for yourself in an IB geography lesson, then one would have to wonder where on earth you’ve been for the past 16 years!
Detailed copies of the syllabus can be accessed via this link.
Part 1 Core theme (SL/HL) Global Change
Changing population
Global climate—vulnerability and resilience
Global resource consumption and security
Part 2 Optional Themes (SL)
Freshwater issues/conflicts
Leisure, Sport and Tourism
Part 2 Optional Themes (HL)
Freshwater issues/conflicts
Leisure, Sport and Tourism
The Geography of Food and Health
Part 3 Extension Theme (HL) Global interactions
Power, places and networks
Human development and diversity
Global risks and resilience
This is done at the end of the course through 2 written papers for SL and 3 for HL, and by coursework, which consists of one fieldwork assignment, with data collection organised by the school and an individual report (of less than 2500 words).
Coursework accounts for 25% of the marks at Higher Level and 20% at Standard Level.
Internal Assessment/Coursework: The research and individual report are completed by the students during the second half of the autumn term in Year 13.
Not only is Geography a subject that the aware student can most easily relate to, but it is practical too. Geography, by providing marketable skills and a broad global perspective, is increasingly regarded as an excellent foundation for careers in areas as diverse as: journalism and media; development organisations; finance; diplomacy; business administration; United Nations agencies; tourism; urban planning; geology; international relations; market analysis; environmental management; law; marketing.
In short, Geography is an essential subject for the leaders of Tomorrow.