A Level Geography
Overview:
This course will enable students to be inspired by their geographical understanding, to engage critically with real world issues and places, and to apply their geographical knowledge, theory and skills to the world around them. Students will grow as independent thinkers and as informed and engaged citizens. They will understand the role and importance of Geography as one of the key disciplines relevant to understanding the world’s changing peoples, places and environments.
Students will develop an in-depth understanding of physical and human Geography. The physical element of the course includes an in-depth understanding of the causes of tectonic hazards and how they can be managed, the changing coastal landscape and the key role that water plays in supporting life on earth. The human element of the course is an in-depth understanding of our changing globalised world, superpower nations and human development.
The course provides a balance between Physical and Human Geographical concepts. Students develop an understanding of the interrelationships between people and their environments. Graphical skills are central to the course and students will develop their own values and attitudes in relation to geographical issues, questions and fieldwork.
“I decided to study Geography because of the range of interesting topics involved”
“I was made to feel really welcome by the very keen staff and the field trips were great”
Course Structure and Content:
Physical Geography Topics:
- Water and Carbon Cycles – impacts and changes.
- Coastal landscapes – dynamic marine zones.
- Natural hazards – problems and management.
Human Geography Topics:
- Global systems and global governance - changing world trade and decision making.
- Changing places - how environments change.
- Contemporary urban environments - how settlements change over time.
Geographical Investigation:
- Students complete an individual investigation which must include data collected by personal fieldwork. The individual investigation must be based on a question or issue defined and developed by the student. This can relate to any part of the specification content.
Assessment:
At the end of the Lower 6th, students sit an exam on all of the Lower 6th content. This does not count towards the final grade, but assesses the content at this half-way point before progression to the Upper 6th.
The final assessments at the end of the Upper 6th are as below:
- Physical Geography Assessment - 40% 2 hours 30 minutes paper.
- Human Geography Assessment - 40% 2 hours 30 minutes paper.
- Geographical Investigation - 20% 3,000 – 4,000 words marked by teachers and moderated by AQA.
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Complementary Courses:
Future Career Opportunities:
Geography links with many careers and further education courses including;
- Planning
- Tourism and Leisure Studies
- Surveying and Cartography
- and is recognised as a good foundation for many other degrees such as Politics, Sociology, Accountancy, Computer Studies. Geography is recognised by most universities as both an Arts and a Science subject.