The new BerlinBrandenburg syllabus and its potential in

The new Berlin-Brandenburg syllabus and its potential in relation to the Geo. Capabilities Approach Prof. Dr. Anke Uhlenwinkel

standards geographical thinking levels Competences topics Content

Competences spatial orientation understanding systems methodological skills judgement communication

Standards using geographical thinking to evaluate situations, facts and processes using geographical and general values and norms to evaluate facts and processes criteria-based judgement of information from the media

Definitions of Levels

Definition of Levels for the Standards „using geographical thinking to judge situations, facts and processes „ naming general criteria for judgements (balance, correctness, justification) describing situations and facts from one persepctive using general criteria for judgements (balance, correctness, justification) describing situations , facts, processes and developments from two persepctives (pro and con) using subject-specific criteria for judgements (ecological, economic and social appropriateness, relevance for )the presence and the future, perspectiveness) describing situations , facts, processes and developments from several persepctives

spatial orientation • 3 standards • 17 level descriptions methodological skills • 4 standards • 17 level descriptions understanding systems • 4 standards • 12 level descriptions communication • 2 standards • 8 level descriptions judgements • 3 standards • 13 level descriptions

Content ‘Students study structures, functions and processes related to natural as well as social phenomena from a geographical perspective’ (SBJW & MBJS, 2015: 3 – my translation). ‘Geographically and geoscientifically relevant phenomena and processes such as globalization, climatic change, earthquakes, flooding and storms, as well as population change, migration, disparities and conflicts over resources, shape many aspects of our lives and our societies on planet Earth’ (DGf. G, 2012: 5).

Topics first version final version living in risk areas migration and population urbanisation as a global phenomenon diversity of the Earth poverty and wealth resources conflicts and conflict solutions climate change and the protection of the climate as an example for international conflicts and conflict solutions economic interdependence and globalisation Europe in the global environment thematic analysis of unpopulated areas cities – presence and future thematic analysis of regions focusing on physical or human geography

obligatory content • causes and regional / global effects of climate change • susaintable interventions to protect the climate • conflicts in relation to climate protection possible specification • weather and climate • structure and composition of the atmosphere • greenhouse effect • protection of the climate and sustainability; adjusting to climate change • representation of cliamte change in the media (e. g. features of weather, polar bears as symbols for climate change)

competence: evaluation level: E-F standard: using geographical thinking to jugde situations, facts and processes topic: climate change subtopic: protection of the climate and sustainability; adjusting to climate change