Geography

Head of Department: Miss B Stevens, bstevens@abbotshill.herts.sch.uk

Subject Title Examination Board Qualification Subject Code Assessment Geography Edexcel Geography A 1GA0 The three 1hour and 30 minutes examinations provide gradual progression in demand throughout the topics, using 13 command words so that pupils know what to expect: Paper 1: The Physical Environment Paper 2: The Human Environment Paper 3: Geographical Investigations: Fieldwork and UK Challenges.

Subject Overview

This is an engaging course, relevant to today’s geographers; it enables pupils to explore the world, the challenges it faces and their own place in it, and also helps prepare them to succeed in their chosen career. Fieldwork will reinforce and enlighten learning in the classroom. Pupils are encouraged to apply their knowledge and understanding to real-life 21st century UK challenges. Geographical skills are integrated throughout all parts of the course so that pupils use them in context. The topic content also lays the foundations for continued study at A Level.

Course Content

The Physical Environment: • The changing landscapes - the UK’s geology and studies of coastal and river processes • Weather hazards and climate change - studies of tropical cyclones and droughts • Ecosystems, biodiversity and management - global and UK ecosystems and studies of tropical rainforests and deciduous woodlands. The Human Environment: • Changing cities - global urban trends and case studies of a UK city (Bristol) and a city in a developing or emerging country (Mumbai) • Global development - uneven global development and a case study of a developing or emerging country (India) • Resource management - the global and UK distribution of food, energy and water and a study of energy resource management. Geographical Investigations: • Fieldwork - enquiries involving fieldwork and research in a physical environment (rivers) and a human environment (central/inner urban area) • Geographical investigations - Students apply their knowledge and understanding of physical and human geography to investigate contemporary challenges for the UK.