Time Allocation: 40 indicative hours
The focus of this study is a geographical investigation of economic activity integrating the local and global context.
Outcomes
A student:
H1 explains the changing nature, spatial patterns and interaction of ecosystems, urban places and economic activity
H4 analyses the changing spatial and ecological dimensions of an economic activity
H5 evaluates environmental management strategies in terms of ecological sustainability
H6 evaluates the impacts of, and responses of people to, environmental change
H7 justifies geographical methods applicable and useful in the workplace and relevant to a changing world
H8 plans geographical inquiries to analyse and synthesise information from a variety of sources
H9 evaluates geographical information and sources for usefulness, validity and reliability
H10 applies maps, graphs and statistics, photographs and fieldwork to analyse and integrate data in geographical contexts
H11 applies mathematical ideas and techniques to analyse geographical data
H12 explains geographical patterns, processes and future trends through appropriate case studies and illustrative examples
H13 communicates complex geographical information, ideas and issues effectively, using appropriate written and/or oral, cartographic and graphic forms.
Content
Students learn to:
Investigate and communicate geographically by
• asking and addressing geographical questions such as
– where are certain crops grown throughout the world?
– how have market preferences changed the pattern of tourism in Australia?
– how do changes in global technology affect enterprises operating at the local level?
Use geographical skills and tools such as:
• analysing spatial relationships using land use and topographic maps
• interpreting flow charts depicting trade data
• identifying, collecting and recording geographical data from primary sources through fieldwork
• calculating the rate of increase or decrease between two points on a line graph showing employment change
• interpreting a ternary graph depicting raw material inputs
• interpreting proportional circles containing pie graphs
• calculating the area of a land use or vegetation type from aerial photographs, absolutely and relatively
• identifying spatial associations, interactions and changes from aerial photographs.
identify geographical methods applicable to and useful in the workplace such as:
• analysing census data, statistical registers and digests, economic production data and reports
• analysing aerial photographs, electronic street directories, cadastral maps, tourist maps, atlases
• collecting and analysing field data about economic activity
• the relevance of a geographical understanding of people and economic activity to a particular vocation such as: advising public servants, consulting in market and commercial research, contributing to environmental impact statements.
Students learn about:
global economic activity
• a description of the nature, spatial patterns and future directions of ONE economic activity in a global context. The economic activity selected can be from a wide range of activities such as wheat farming, hydroponics, viticulture, textiles, tourism, advertising, retailing, wholesaling, information technologies, financial and business services industries
• factors explaining the nature, spatial patterns and future directions of the selected economic activity such as
– biophysical: climate, soils, topography, site
– ecological: sustainability and resource use
– economic: competitive advantage, consumer demand, mobility of labour and capital
– sociocultural: tradition, changing lifestyles, labour participation rates
– organisational: ownership, decision making and control
– technological: transportation, information transmission and flows, biotechnology
– political: quotas, tariffs, compacts, agreements
• the environmental, social and economic impacts of the economic activity such as pollution, resource depletion, labour exploitation, cultural integration, provision of infrastructure, job creation, transfer pricing.
Local Case Study
• a geographical study of an economic enterprise operating at a local scale. The business could be an individual enterprise, firm or company such as a family farm, a mine or mining corporation, a hotel, chain of hotels, heritage or tourist site. The case study should explore
– the nature of the economic enterprise
– locational factors
– ecological dimensions including environmental constraints, climate, and human impacts on the environment such as pollution and ecological sustainability
– internal and external linkages and flows of people, goods, services and ideas
– effects of global changes in the economic activity on the enterprise.
Exam Questions
Assess the environmental, social and economic impacts of an economic activity in a global context (20 marks).
Answer the below in reference to ONE economic enterprise operating at a local scale:
(a) Explain TWO factors that have influenced the location of the enterprise (4 marks).
(b) Examine how the enterprise has responded to environmental constraints (6 marks).