Geography
GCSE
Examining Board
AQA
Course Introduction
“So many of the world’s current issues at a global scale and locally boil down to geography and need the geographers of the future to help us understand them.” - Michael Palin
For students who are curious about the real world outside the classroom, Geography offers students the opportunity to make sense of the amazing world they live in. From the impact of tropical storms and the causes of climate change to the importance of the tropical rainforests to the growth of the global mega cities, GCSE Geography explores the planet by increasing knowledge and understanding of the diverse contemporary issues facing both the physical and human environment. The course contains cutting-edge study content, brought to life by engaging enquiry questions and a development of rigorous geographical knowledge. There is the opportunity to examine in-depth contemporary case studies across a range of scales, while developing the study of the geography of the UK in the 21st century. Through a variety of activities including map skills, GIS, case study analysis, problem-solving, debate and hands-on fieldwork - it is never dull!
Assessments
100% examination
Progression
Geography is the great adventure with a noble purpose, leading to a wide number of career paths. These include environmental consultancy, planning and chartered surveying, land and marine management, ecological conservation, sustainability and development. Geographers also build up a large bank of transferable skills, which make them highly employable in many other sectors not directly related to Geography, such as medicine, information technology, law, management, research, marketing, finance and business, industry and manufacturing. GCSE Geography is also a very important step in taking the very popular A Level Geography course, with many students going on to study Geography at University.
Course Content
Unit 1: Living with the physical environment
Section A: The challenge of natural hazards
Section B: The living world
Section C: Physical landscapes in the UK
Unit 2: Challenges in the human environment
Section A: Urban issues and challenges
Section B: The changing economic world
Section C: The challenge of resource management
Unit 3: Geographical applications
Section A: Issue evaluation
Section B: Fieldwork
Fieldwork
Fieldwork is an integral component of the course and at GCSE we will offer two days of Fieldwork where a wide variety of geographical issues are investigated, and fieldwork methods can be tried and tested. The first day we visit the Coast at Cromer to investigate the impact of the Coastal defences. The second fieldwork day we visit an urban environment; Norwich to evaluate the success of the Urban Regeneration in Riverside.
Contact Name
Mr R Jarrald – Head of Geography
Contact Email
r.jarrald@wymcol.org
A Level
At the beginning of the 21st Century, with the planet facing a wide range of issues and challenges, Geography is one of the most relevant courses you can study. The interactions between the human and physical components of the world are extremely dynamic in both time and space. Much of the A Level will be building on current events, understanding and awareness of the world around us. Geographers learn about the physics of climate change, the interaction of weather events and flood risk, and the way people’s behaviour is influenced by the space around them. Geography A Level is one of those broad-based subjects that employers and universities love. It is an interesting and varied area of study that brings together the diverse worlds of Arts and Science and develops both a valuable understanding of data handling and higher level thinking skills.
Coursework/Examination Requirement
3 examinations and a 4000 word individual investigation.
The College expects students to have
Grade 6 or above in Geography. An interest and understanding of current affairs is useful as well as a desire to engage in discussion and debate.
Progression
As Geography can be considered as both a Science and a Humanities subject, studying Geography not only gives you a good understanding of the world and current events but is highly valued by universities and leaves open many subject pathways for future study. Importantly, the Russell Group of universities names Geography as one of the eight facilitating subjects. Geography provides good preparation for a very wide range of related jobs such as planning, economic development, disaster management, geology, countryside management, oceanography, and many more.
Course Content
Year 1
Area of Study 1: Dynamic Landscapes
Tectonic Processes and Hazards - Tectonic processes, a study of the causes of tectonic hazards, the impact of tectonic activity on people, and responses to tectonic hazards.
Coastal Landscapes and Change - Coastal landscapes develop due to the interaction of processes and geology. These landscapes are increasingly threatened
from physical processes and human activities, and there is a need for management of these areas in all the world’s coasts.
Area of Study 2: Dynamic Places
Globalisation - A study of globalisation, its causes and consequences for different people and places.
Regenerating Places - Local places vary economically and socially with change driven by local, national and global processes. These processes include movements of people, capital, information and resources, making some places economically dynamic while other places appear to be marginalised.
Year 2
Area of Study 3: Physical Systems and Sustainability
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.
Area of Study 4: Human Systems and Geopolitics
Superpowers - Superpowers, the reasons for shifting economic and political power, the impacts of superpowers, influence of superpowers in governing the global commons.
Health, Human Rights and Intervention –The impact of geopolitical interventions on both human health and wellbeing and human rights is variable and contested, with some groups appearing to benefit disproportionately, which can lead to increasing inequalities and injustice.
Coursework: Independent Investigation - A student-defined question or issue, relating to the compulsory or optional content. The topic may relate to any aspect of geography contained within the specification that the student chooses.
Fieldwork: Fieldwork is an integral component of A Level Geography and students must complete four days of fieldwork during the course. At the end of Year 12 we will offer a residential field trip to the Yorkshire Dales where a wide variety of geographical issues are investigated and fieldwork methods can be tried and tested. During Year 13 there is the opportunity to take part in a trip to Iceland. In addition to the two main residential field trips there are various other one day field trip days e.g. Holkham Hall, North Norfolk – to investigate the Sand Dunes, London or Cambridge – to investigate urban change and redevelopment.
