Geography (A-Level

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Le vels

Geography

Geography is the study of the physical features of the earth and its atmosphere, and of human activity as it affects and is affected by these, including the distribution of populations and resources and political and economic activities.

COURSE AIMS

These are some of the key questions of A-Level Geography: • What are the forces influencing our natural environment – the landscapes, the plants and animals, and the weather and climate? • What are the issues affecting people and the places where they live? How are cities and the countryside changing? Why are they changing? • How are people affecting the environment we all live in? What are the opportunities, the challenges and the constraints? • What are the economic forces that drive the world economy, and how they are changing? • What decisions are being made about the use and management of resources, and who makes these decisions? • An appreciation of current events and world problems such as the effects of natural hazards and the plight of refugees • The ability to make links and connections across a wide variety of topics • Engage with the controversies that surround a variety of environmental issues 145 A-Level • Create innovative solutions to environmental issues by engaging actively in local and global contexts

ADVICE Students opting for this subject should: • Have a real passion for Geography and enjoy this subject • Be able to take part in a debate or role play, for example, you could be collecting evidence for part of your

Communication key skill; essays that you write as part of your course will also provide evidence of this skill • Have the ability to collect and analyse primary (fieldwork) and secondary data which is part of the Application of

Number key skill • Be able to manipulate and present data using ICT as this will allow you to produce evidence for the Information

Technology key skill • Realise that Geography is a bridge between the Sciences and Arts subjects, which will lead to great choice Post-18

ENTRY CRITERIA Although it is not a requirement that you should have studied Geography at (I)GCSE in order to take an AS-Level or A-Level course in the subject, it is highly recommended.

Several topics covered in the course are developments of work covered at (I)GCSE, but others are new. What is more important is that you should have a lively and enquiring mind, an interest in the environment and current affairs, a willingness to explore A-Level

new ideas and an ability to communicate your ideas effectively.

Those students who have studied (I)GCSE Geography will find that the material and the skills they have learned will prove a valuable foundation for further studies at this level.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA There are 4 examination papers, two taken in Year 12 and two at the end of Year 13. All papers are 1 hour 30 minutes and account for 25% of the total marks.

Paper 1: Core Physical Geography Paper 2: Core Human Geography Paper 3: Advanced Physical Geography Paper 4: Advanced Human Geography

A-LEVEL & IB GEOGRAPHY CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Engineering, Psychology, Environmental Sciences, Oceanography and Geology, Business, Law, Media, Politics and Philosophy.