“AIMS

The aims and learning outcomes below represent the body of geographical knowledge, skills and values that students will acquire through H3 Geography.

Value
The syllabus seeks to encourage students to:
1. be inspired by the splendour of natural environments and human ingenuity
2. care for delicate ecosystems and understand the importance of environmentally sustainable lifestyles
3. develop as global citizens, seek harmony and respect others in a culturally diverse world
4. contribute responsibly towards the building of a robust and inclusive society
5. have the integrity to uphold ethical principles and be resilient in their pursuit for a better world.

Knowledge
The syllabus requires students to develop an understanding of:
1. different frameworks in understanding sustainable development
2. the subjective nature of maps and using maps as a tool to persuade and analyse
3. the uniqueness of different types of natural environments and places
4. the interactions and interdependence between natural environments, urban and rural areas, societies and cultures at various scales
5. the processes that shape natural environments, societies and cultures at various scales
6. the connections, trends and patterns in different parts of the world
7. different approaches to solve real-world problems and achieve sustainable development.

Skills
The syllabus seeks to equip students with the ability to:
1. consider evidence and different viewpoints to develop logical arguments and explanations
2. analyse, evaluate and reflect on information from a geographical perspective to make informed and sound decisions
3. construct understanding through inquiry using different data collection and analysis methods
4. use and evaluate maps and other data representation to integrate information and communicate to a specific audience.

ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES
Candidates will be expected to:
AO1 demonstrate geographical understanding through selection and synthesis of knowledge
AO2 apply geographical concepts in examining the chosen research topic related to sustainable development
AO3 collect, analyse and evaluate primary and/or secondary data
AO4 coherently present well-substantiated arguments based on a reasoned consideration of evidence and/or different viewpoints
AO5 evaluate chosen research strategy.

SCHEME OF ASSESSMENT
H3 Geography is assessed in the form of a Research Essay.

Candidates will submit a Research Essay with no more than 3500 words based on a topic related to sustainable development which had been approved in advance by Cambridge International.

The purpose of a geographical investigation assessed in the form of a research essay is to amplify, reinforce and extend the principal concepts and skills relevant to the study of sustainable development. It challenges candidates to conduct an in-depth study of a topic related to sustainable development which adds to their knowledge, understanding and awareness.

Research should commence in November of the first academic year and the Research Essay should be ready for submission to Cambridge by September of the second academic year.

Planning and Writing the Research Proposal
1. Identifying a Research Topic
Candidates are encouraged to consider two to three possible areas of research. They should do some basic reading on the proposed research topics to establish their viability.

Candidates should finally select one research topic which is focused and will contribute to existing geographical knowledge. The selected research topic should be set in the form of a question to be answered.

2. Approval Process for the Research Proposal
2.1 Candidates must submit the soft copy of their Research Essay Proposal Form to SEAB by a specified date in Term 1 of the second year of study.

Deadlines for submissions will be specified by SEAB in a circular to schools each year.

2.2 The Proposal must not exceed 500 words and should include the following:
• Research Question
• Synopsis of Research Essay which states the following clearly:
– Aim(s) of research
– Scope of research (e.g. population size, location, duration of study, etc.)
– Relationship between the research and sustainable development
– Identification of potential limitations of the research.
• Review of related research – selection of theories, concepts and findings related to the research question.
• Quantitative and/or qualitative methods to be used in data collection and analysis.

2.3 The hard copy of the proposal must be dated and signed by both the candidate and the Coursework Supervisor supervising the study. The hard copy should be retained by the school and submitted with the completed Research Essay by the date specified by SEAB.
2.4 Proposal submissions will be sent electronically to Cambridge for approval by the examiner.
2.5 If a proposal is acceptable as it stands, the examiner will approve it without further feedback.
2.6 If the examiner rejects a proposal, or indicates that a proposal needs to be revised before it can be approved, s/he will send feedback accordingly. This feedback must be retained and submitted with the completed Research Essay, along with the hard copy of the original research proposal. 
2.7 If a candidate has been advised by the examiner that s/he must make a resubmission of the amended proposal for approval, or submit a second proposal, the candidate must do so by the date specified by SEAB.