Geography
Progression pathways
The diagram below shows the progression pathways in this subject area.
SCQF Level 3/4/5
Subject: national 3/4/5 geography
Aims of the Course
With growing awareness of the impact of human activity upon the environment and resources, the study of Geography develops positive life-long attitudes of environmental stewardship, sustainability and global citizenship. Throughout this course learners will also develop a range of geographical skills and techniques including maps skills and fieldwork.
Course Content
Unit 1: Physical Environments: this unit covers landscape types specifically glaciated uplands and coastal by looking at the formation of key features, land use management and sustainability. The unit also includes the study of weather.
Unit 2: Human Environments: in this unit learners study, compare and contrast developed and developing countries by drawing from a global context. Learners are also given the opportunity to study the distribution of the population worldwide and the change in urban and rural landscapes.
Unit 3: Global Issues: this unit aims to understand major global issues such as environmental hazards, development and health as well as the strategies adopted to manage these.
Field Work
Throughout the National Geography course students are fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to participate in a practical field work element where they will develop an understanding of practical Geography based techniques and the gathering of primary and secondary data.
Course Assessment
As well as completing unit assessments throughout the year National 4 learners may be required to research a Geographical topic of their choice. National 5 students will also be required to complete research for their assignment which is worth 20% of their overall mark as well as sitting a final SQA exam at the end of the course.
Subject: national travel and tourism and nat 3/4 people in society
Aims of the Course
Throughout the year this course provides students with the opportunity to achieve two qualifications – National 3/4/5 in Travel and Tourism and National 3/4 in People in Society – while allowing them to make progress with their Humanities skills and knowledge. Completing these skills based courses allows students the ability to further progress to National 5 courses in Geography, History, Modern Studies and RMPS, while preparing students for the world of work.
Course Content
The Travel and Tourism course develops the skills, knowledge and attitudes needed for work in the travel and tourism industry. This specifically includes becoming effective job-seekers and employees and how to provide a high standard of customer service in travel and tourism in the UK and worldwide.
The Travel and Tourism course offers four mandatory units:
Employability: learners will be introduced to the different functions of travel and tourism organisations and employment opportunities across the industry.
Customer Service: learners will be able to develop communication skills and learn about promoting products and services and how to deal with customer issues.
UK and worldwide: learners who complete this unit will be able to carry out an investigation of travel and tourism in the UK and the rest of the world to meet the customer's holiday needs.
Scotland: learners will develop their knowledge, in relation to travel and tourism in Scotland, and the skills required to meet the needs of customers.
The People and Society course also has four mandatory units and there is some flexibility about the themes that can be studied within them. The units include:
Investigating Skills
Comparing and Contrasting
Making Decisions
Assignment
In order to pass these unit students in the past have studied topics such as eco-tourism, the slave trade, wild weather, blood diamonds and Greek mythology to name but a few.
SCQF Level 6
Subject: Higher geography
Recommended previous experience: this course is a natural progression from National 5 Geography, but it is not essential to have National 5 to complete this course. Students are, however, required to have a National 5 qualification in either History, Modern Studies, or RMPS.
Aims of the Course
The Higher Geography course is designed to be relevant to everyday life with an emphasis on developing skills. The course promotes an increased awareness of multi-cultural societies and environmental issues in an enjoyable and challenging way. Students learn how to apply a range of methods and techniques including presenting, analysing and interpreting information about these topics. Opportunities for fieldwork will also be included in the course.
Course Content
Unit 1: Physical Environments: specifically the study of atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.
Unit 2: Human Environments: specifically the study of population, rural and urban geography.
Unit 3: Global Issues: specifically the study of climate change, development, and health.
Course Assessment
In addition to the final exam which is worth 160 marks learners are required to complete an assignment which is a based on fieldwork and independent research.
SCQF Level 7
Subject: Advanced Higher GEography
Recommended previous experience: students are required to pass Higher Geography prior to studying this course.
Aims of the Course
This course is excellent preparation for work and university study. It will prepare students well for a wide range of courses including Environmental Science, Geology and Land Management to name a few.
Course Content
Unit 1: Geographical Skills
In this unit learners will develop a wide range of geographical skills including mapping skills and a range of statistical techniques for analysing and interpreting geographical data. Learners will also develop investigating skills while undertaking independent research.
Unit 2: Geographical Issues
In this unit learners will develop critical thinking and the ability to evaluate sources and viewpoints on current complex geographical issues.
Course Assessment
The Advanced Higher Geography course is assessed through a final exam which is made up of questions relating to map interpretation, gathering and processing techniques and geographical data handling. Student are also required to complete a project-folio (worth 100 marks) which is a detailed study of their own research/fieldwork.
