INTERNATIONAL BACALLAUREATE - HL/SL GEOGRAPHY (for first examinations in 2011) OPTIONAL THEMES & GLOBAL INTERACTIONS CGW4UB Semester 1, 2012/2013 Teacher: Mrs. Hendren Room 218 Voicemail: 705 324-3585 Extension 36030 Email: j.hendren@tldsb.on.ca Website: http://mail.tldsb.on.ca/~Julie.Hendren Geography is a dynamic subject that is firmly grounded in the real world and focuses on the interactions between individuals, society and the physical environment in both time and space. It seeks to identify trends and patterns in these interactions and examines the processes behind them. It also investigates the way that people adapt and respond to change and evaluates management strategies associated with such change. Geography describes and helps to explain the similarities and differences between spaces and places. These may be defined on a variety of scales and from a range of perspectives. Geography is distinctive in that it occupies the middle ground between social sciences and natural sciences. During this part of the course, we will be completing two portions of the IB Geography syllabus: Part 2 -three optional themes (hazards and disasters, geography of food and health, and extreme environments) and HL Extension - global interactions (measuring global interactions, changing space – the shrinking world, economic interactions and flows, environmental change, sociocultural exchanges, political outcomes and global interactions at the local level). TOPICS & EVALUATION Units of Study Hazards and disasters (risk assessment and response) Geography of food and health Extreme environments HL Extension Topics: (1) Measuring global interactions; (2) Changing space – the shrinking world; (3) Economic interactions and flows; (4) Environmental change; (5) Socio-cultural exchanges; (6) Political outcomes; and (7) Global interaction at the local level. Final Examination: January 2013 Evaluation Criteria Assignments and presentations (including Internal Assessment –IA) Tests Final Exam Value 25% 25% 50% Predicted Grades and Report Card Grades IB Predicted grades will be determined as a weighted average of testing, practice exams and internal assessments. When a predicted grade has been assigned, a report card percentage range will be determined using the IBSO Table of Equivalents. This table was designed by Ontario universities and is widely used by Ontario IB schools. (See IBSO Table of Equivalents on Weldon’s website.) The precise percentage will be determined by the teacher according to the student’s record of achievement. Transcript Final Grade *The predicted grade percentage equivalent as assigned by the teacher stands until July 6 th. *A percentage mark may be changed on a student’s final transcript if the IB result differs from the predicted grade. o If the final grade is lower than predicted, the percentage will be lowered to the highest percentage in the appropriate range. o If the final grade is higher than predicted, the percentage will be raised to the middle of the appropriate range. May Exam: Necessary to complete credit As you begin or end the final semester of the IB Geography course, you do so knowing that the final exam will occur in May of 2013 or 2014 (May 14 & 15, 2013). Every student in the school enrolled in an IB course that is the last in a series of courses for the subject must write the final IB exam to complete the credit. Students may not enrol in a terminal IB 4U credit without agreeing to write the final exam in May. Any student enrolled in such a course who expresses an intention not to write the final exam will be dropped from the course. Loss of credit Your final percentage in IB Geography is based on a “Predicted Grade” that you are expected to achieve when you write the May IB exam. You must write this exam which is worth 50% of your final IB grade, in order to earn the Ontario credit. If you do not to write the final exam or produce a final show, your absence would not be considered legitimate and would earn an exam mark “0”, thus forfeiting the Ontario credit. Attendance Learning takes place EACH and EVERY day of class. Apart from tests, there are many individual activities, group work, discussions and tasks that can only benefit those present. Therefore any absence for whatever reason, can and will hurt you (this is extremely important in a semestered school). It is YOUR responsibility to minimize this. Catch up immediately on ALL your work missed. Better still, BE THERE!! Students who are late will not be accepted into class without a late slip or note from the office. Notebooks Notebooks should be a brief explanation of what we have been doing in class. They are your PRIMARY resource for tests, exams and even assignments. It is YOUR responsibility to make sure you keep a neat and well-organized and up-to-date set of notes. Textbook For this course Geography: Course Companion (Nagle and Cooke) is used. The replacement value for this book is $50 so DO NOT LOSE THIS BOOK! Behaviour Each and every person should be at I.E. Weldon to learn and improve themselves. Any behaviour, which is injurious to the learning environment in or out of the classroom, is, of course unacceptable. The Student Handbook clearly establishes guidelines for you to follow. READ IT!! Homework Homework is an important part of any course. It will be assigned on a regular basis. Homework often provides the link between the various ideas that are being discussed in class. It MUST be completed to the best of your ability and must be ready at the beginning of the next day, unless otherwise indicated. It should be presented in a neat, orderly fashion. It is usually wise to leave a little room at the end of the homework for additions during classroom discussion. Sometimes events happen that make it impossible to complete your homework on time. In order to avoid difficulties and embarrassment, you should make a special effort to see the teacher at a private time before your class time to discuss the situation (sports and extra-curricular activities are not included). Assignment and Test Policies Students are expected to meet all deadlines set out by the subject teacher. Students missing deadlines will face a progressive scale of intervention to ensure all work is completed. This scale can range from mandatory remedial sessions to a formal suspension for neglect of duty. Copied work is considered PLAGIARISM or CHEATING and is assigned a mark of “0”. Missed Test/Assignment Policy Missed test due to extra-curricular activity: full opportunity for a different test will be given provided the teacher is informed of the absence TWO DAYS in advance. Missed test/assignment due to absence or family emergency: full opportunity for a rewrite, or an alternate form of evaluation may be given. Parental/school documentation must be provided to the teacher before the commitment (if possible) for this policy to take effect. Tests in this course will be created similar to IB Geography questions. The scale for Ontario grades will be provided for you. Missed test/assignment due to skip or unexplained absence/late: a mark of “0” will be assigned. Reporting Student achievement will be reported in all courses at the following times: Mark Update Week – Oct 15-19 Parents’ Night – October 25 (4:30 to 7:00 pm) Interim Report Card Issued – November 22 Mark Update Week – December 17-21 Final Report Card Issued – second week of February 2013