Geography

Course

Contemporary geography is a subject which explicitly engages with the relationship of human populations to each other over space and time and their relationship with their physical environment at a variety of scales from the local to the global. The subject content of this course follows an issues and impacts approach throughout. All pupils are required to undertake fieldwork in relation to processes in both physical and human geography. The specification requires all pupils to undertake four days of fieldwork during their A-level course.

Component 1 is dedicated to the study of Physical Geography: the Water and Carbon cycles are a compulsory element, plus either Hot Desert Environments and their Margins or Coastal Systems and Landscapes, and either Hazards, Eco sytems Under Stress, or Cold Environments.

Component 2 is dedicated to the study of Human Geography: Global Systems and Governance, and Changing Places for two compulsory units, plus either Contemporary Urban Environments or Population and the Environment or Resource Security.

Component 3, the Geographical Investigation, requires pupils to complete an individual investigation based on a question or issue defined and developed by the pupil relating to any part of the specification content. This must include data collected in the field.

Geographical skills will also be developed during study of the course content, in an integrated way rather than as a separate theme or topic. These skills include basic investigative, ICT, graphical, cartographical and statistical elements.

Assessment

Component 1 2hr 30m written exam Physical Geography Component 2 2hr 30m written exam Human Geography 40% 40%

Component 3 Coursework (3,000-4,000 words)

Examination Board: AQA

Geographical Investigation 20%

Additional Notes

Although there are strong links with the GCSE course, GCSE Geography is not a prerequisite to this course. Field work is a compulsory part of the course. All costs for field trips are met by the School.