Geography Two units for each of Year 11 and HSC NESA Developed Course
What background knowledge do I need to study Geography? There are no prerequisites for the course and students who did not take Year 10 Elective Geography are able to recommence their studies in Geography.
Why study Geography? Geography is an investigation of people and places. The study of Geography is centred around the interaction of people in communities, and people with their environment. It is a key discipline through which students develop the ability to recognise and understand environmental change and the interactions which take place in our world. The study of Geography prepares students for adult life by developing an informed understanding of local and global issues which underpin their present and future lives. It allows students to perceive the world in a variety of ways and helps them to make sense of a complex and everchanging world. Geography has the ability to make a lifelong contribution to a student’s understanding of the earth and the global environment and allows them to become active and informed global citizens.
What issues and concepts are covered in Geography? These may include poverty, shanty towns, coastal management, energy crisis, global climate change, species extinction, globalisation, Australia’s ageing population, spread of mass culture, water crisis and political conflicts.
Course description: The Year 11 course draws on the contemporary developments in biophysical and human geography. The course focuses upon: • •
management of the natural world inlcuding coastal impacts explore global challenges including ageing populations, globalisation of cultures, development Inequalities.
Students experience enquiry methodologies to investigate our world through: • • • •
fieldwork to explore geographical issues geographical skills e.g. mapping, statistical analysis and photographic interpretation. the study of contemporary geographical issues research project designed to give students the opportunity to investigate an area of geographic interest to them (Year 11 only).
The HSC course continues the contemporary nature of the discipline and investigates issues including ecosystems at risk, changes in employment and production, and the character of the urban environments around the world. Fieldwork remains a vital component of the student’s enquiry methodology.
Main topics covered: Year 11 Course • Biophysical Interactions • Global Challenges • The Senior Geography Project (SGP) 60
45% of course time 45% of course time 10% of course time Subject Choice for the Higher School Certificate
