Geography

Why study this subject?

Geography is a subject which will open up options for you in your future. Employers and universities see geography as a robust academic subject rich in skills, knowledge and understanding. As a humanities subject linking the arts and the sciences it is highly flexible in terms of what you can combine it with, and it complements other humanities and sciences particularly well. If you choose to take geography on to university, there are a plethora of courses to choose from in Geography and similar more specialised degrees. A wide range of career areas are pursued by Geography graduates; they are highly valued due to the range of aptitudes and skills they develop throughout their studies, and they have one of the lowest graduate unemployment rates.

A Level Geography offers a selection of interesting topics which allow in depth study of some areas studied at GCSE and introduces many new ideas. It covers both physical and human Geography and the complex interaction of processes that shape the planet. It will also, importantly introduce a range of contemporary geographical issues and allow you to explore the applied side of the subject; how humans interact with the environment, and how we adapt and mitigate the effects of human activity on the environment.

Studying Geography has never been more important; understanding global issues is the key to securing a sustainable future.

What skills will you develop?

You will study Geography in a wide variety of ways. You will build upon the skills you developed as a GCSE geographer in describing, explaining, assessing and evaluating ideas and geographical issues. You will develop the ability to interpret information in detail such as maps, graphs and photographs, and also hone your essay writing skills and ability to construct a balanced argument and evidence informed conclusions. You will be encouraged to think more critically and independently, view issues and ideas from a variety of perspectives, and share these ideas through discussion in class. The use of examples is key to constructing valid and convincing arguments; wider reading and independent research is strongly encouraged to support you throughout the course.

What are the key elements to the course?

Both courses are divided equally between physical and human Geography. They both build upon the knowledge and understanding developed at GCSE, introduce many new ones and cover a range of contemporary issues which link different areas of Geography. Lessons are taught in an interactive and discursive manner

Edexcel:

In Lower Sixth you will study Globalisation, Regeneration, Coasts and Tectonics. In all Lower Sixth topics a range of theories and ideas are studied. You will then apply them to issues within each topic. The topics are examined with a mixture of short answer and longer essays.

In Upper Sixth you will study Superpowers, Migration, Identity and Sovereignty, Water Insecurity and the Carbon Cycle and Energy Security. You will get to study one area of geography of interest to you in much more depth as part of your coursework option. Throughout the two years, there will be a focus on being synoptic and making links between the topics as a key area of study that will be assessed separately in extended writing questions.

There are a number of fieldwork days and a Lower Sixth residential in the summer term. Topics are not stand alone and developing a holistic understanding is essential to be able to explain how everything is linked together.

CAIE:

In Lower Sixth Physical Geography you will study Rivers, Atmosphere and Weather, and Rocks and Weathering. The human topics are Population, Migration and Settlement. In all Lower Sixth topics a range of theories and ideas are studied. You will then apply them to issues within each topic such as flood impacts and management, climate change and the management of international migration. These topics are examined through short, structured questions, then you have a choice of topics to answer in depth.

The Upper Sixth course extends ideas from Lower Sixth and introduces many new ones. In Physical Geography the Hazards topic extends ideas on weather and plate tectonics for example, and you will also study Coasts, which develops some familiar ideas from GCSE and introduces contemporary issues such as threats to coral reefs. The Human Geography topics are Environmental Issues and Global Interdependence. These cover ideas and issues such as degradation of environments and how these can be managed, and global issues such as international debt, trade, aid and the impacts of tourism. A choice of essays is given on each topic.

There is no coursework; however, you will attend two residential field courses. The first to Shropshire during the first weeks of Lower Sixth, then Dorset towards the end of Upper Sixth. Here you will have the opportunity to learn through enquiry to support your knowledge and understanding of some of the course content: flooding, hydrology, river processes and landforms, rural issues, and coastal processes, landforms and management.