Geography

Course Overview

Due to its breadth and variety, Higher Geography is unique in building up-to-date skills for entry to a number of careers. It’s suitable for those looking to build a greater understanding of the environment they live in and their place within it, to those who wish to progress to more specialised training, further education, or entry into a diverse range of occupations and careers.

• • PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENTS

Across the topics studied within this unit, you will develop and apply knowledge and understanding of the processes and interactions at work within physical environments on a local, regional and global scale. Key topics include: atmosphere; hydrosphere; lithosphere; and biosphere

• HUMAN ENVIRONMENTS

Within this unit you will gain an understanding of where and why human populations have settled down and grown where they have. You will become demographers and practice skills of interpreting the changing structures of human populations. Case studies include exploring the favelas of Rio de Janeiro and the latest strategies of easing traffic congestion in Glasgow. You will also gain an understanding and appreciation of the struggles brought by soil degradation in the Sahel region and the dark alternatives people turn to in times of desperation.

• GLOBAL ISSUES

For this unit you will develop and apply knowledge and understanding of global geographical issues which demonstrate the interaction of physical and human factors, and evaluate the strategies adopted to manage these issues. The topics studied will be River Basin Management (the need for water management, dam location factors, consequences of water management projects), and Development and Health (Development, Water-related disease (Malaria) and Primary Health Care).

Homework

Homework will be set on a regular basis and will mostly compromise of exam style questions to consolidate learning. Occasional preparation for the Higher Assignment or end of topic assessments will also be expected of you.

Assessment Approaches

Course assessment at Higher:

• Course Assessment: Assignment – 30 marks (27%)

• Question Paper 1: 100 marks (Physical & Human Environments) (46%)

• Question Paper 2: 60 marks (Global Issues & Application of Geographical Skills) (27%)