Geography

Why study Geography?

Geography is about the future and encourages flexible thinking. It is a good choice of subject if you enjoy learning about people, their societies, economies, cultures and the environment and if you are keen to learn and develop a wide range of skills. Geography tackles the big issues, including environmental responsibility, our global interdependence, cultural understanding and tolerance, and commerce, trade and industry.

The world in which we live is likely to change more in the next fifty years than it has ever done before. Geography explains why, and helps to prepare you for those changes.

Studying Geography will give you the transferable skills needed to work in a wide range of areas within both the public and private sector, from urban planning to international aid organisations, and from environmental management to advising businesses on sustainability issues.

How is the course examined?

Examination

Paper 1 – Living with the Physical Environment 1 hour 30 minutes, 35% of the GCSE.

Paper 2 – Challenges in the Human Environment 1 hour 30 minutes, 35% of the GCSE.

Paper 3 – Geographical Applications

– an issue evaluation, fieldwork and geographical skills, 30% of the GCSE.

What does the course cover?

A people-environment theme is emphasised throughout the course. Students develop their geographical terminology and locational knowledge through the examination of a range of global and up-to-date case studies. The acquisition of skills is an important element of the course; students learn to use and interpret a range of source materials including atlas maps, photographs, satellite images, GIS, graphs and sketches. The use of IT is encouraged as a research tool to help in the construction of maps and graphs.

The main units of study include:

Living with the Physical Environment –natural hazards, climate change, ecosystems, rivers and coasts.

Challenges in the Human Environment –urban issues and challenges, development, globalisation and resource management.

Geographical issues and fieldwork are also an essential part of the course and are examined in Paper 3.