Geography

Course summary

Geography tackles the big issues such as environmental responsibility, our global independence and cultural understanding. It is a bridge between the arts and sciences but has its own transferable skills such as data analysis and evaluation, report writing and research. Team work and problem solving skills are developed through a range of field trips. It is desirable, but not essential, to have studied Geography at GCSE. A keen interest and enthusiasm for this subject is required. Geography post 16 offers scope for personal and academic development, actively involving students in the process of learning through enquiry into questions, issues, challenges and problems of relevance in the world today. In particular it investigates the inter-relationships of people and their environment. The course followed is AQA GCE Geography. This is an issues based course, which examines many of the problems in the physical and human environments of the world. The modules are as follows: Unit 1: Physical Geography Topics studies are: water & carbon cycles, coastal environments and hazardous environments. 2 hrs 30 mins exam, 40% of the A-level. Unit 2: Human Geography Topics studied are: global governance and systems, changing places, population and the environment. 2 hrs 30 mins exam, 40% of the A-level. Unit 3: Geographical investigation Students will undertake a four day residential field trip to the Lake District and West Cumbria, looking at both physical and human geography. This will form the basis of their geographical investigation project, which should be 3000-4000 words in length. The project is worth 20% of the A-level. OPPORTUNITIES AFTER THE COURSE The variety of topics and skills covered gives geographers a variety of career opportunities, which include personnel management, estate management, tourism, town planning and landscape architecture. The subject supports applications to a wide range of higher education courses from Law to Earth Science.