GEOGRAPHY

QUALIFICATION:

A level

OVERVIEW:

The course involves the study of change in both physical and human environments as well as how people interact within these.

The topics covered in Year 12:

• Regenerating Places – a study of how and why places are shaped and changed, the meanings and identities attached to different places and the consequences for different people.
• Coastal Landscapes and Change – an integrated study of energy flows in the coastal environment, the threats they face and the need for sustainable and holistic management.
• Tectonic Processes and Hazards – a study of the causes of tectonic hazards, the impact of tectonic activity on people, and responses to tectonic hazards.
• Globalisation – a study of globalisation, its causes and consequences for different people and places.

The Year 13 topics include:

• The Water Cycle and Water Insecurity – water cycle, human and natural factors that impact on water cycling, consequences for water security and future water conflicts.
• The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security – carbon cycle, human and natural factors impacting on carbon cycling, the consequences for ecosystems and management strategies.
• Superpowers – the reasons for shifting economic and political power, and the influence of superpowers on global governance and the health of the planet.
• Health & Human Rights – the impact of geopolitical interventions on both human health and wellbeing and human rights.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Sixth Form at Malton standard entry requirement of 5 GCSEs at Grade 4+ to include English and Maths.

EQUIPMENT:

The department will provide all of the fieldwork equipment required and exercise books for each topic but you may be required to make a contribution towards the electronic textbooks and workbooks.

SKILLS:

The practical skills of investigating, analysis, the use of statistical methods, interpretation, report writing and making presentations are transferable key skills which are highly sought after by prospective employers.

ASSESSMENT:

This is a linear course with three exams at the end of the two years each lasting 2 hours and 15 minutes. Two of the exams assess the topics covered over the course each accounting for 30% of the qualification. The third is a decision making paper with an unseen resource booklet, this accounts for 20% of the course. The last 20% comes from coursework on either human or physical geography and is supported by your 4 days of fieldwork.

FUTURE PROSPECTS:

Geography is regarded highly by the Russell University Group as a facilitating subject.

One aspect of Geography that students find appealing is the range of opportunities available to those with an A level in Geography. For example, some former students are now working as landscape architects; estate managers; surveyors; transport managers; marketing officers; teachers; farmers; lecturers; archivists; museum directors; army officers.

WHAT DO OUR STUDENTS SAY:

“The support that you have given me in Geography has encouraged me to pursue a degree in International Relations at university. Geography is my outright favourite subject and the teaching that I have received has been inspirational and has challenged me to push myself to achieve my dream.”