Geography

Why study Geography?

According to the Geographical Association, “Geography today is about a better tomorrow. Geography is right here. Right now.” Not only is Geography highly relevant in today’s society, it is also highly valued by universities; the Russell Group identifies Geography as one of the facilitating subjects.

Do you have an interest and concern for the environment and current affairs?
Do you want to study a subject with relevance to the lives of people around the world?
Do you learn best through many different activities and styles?
Do you want to gain lots of transferable skills for the future?
Do you want to change the world?

There are two main strands to the Geography A Level course, and within each strand three specific units are studied :

Physical Geography
Water and carbon cycles
Coastal systems and landscapes
Hazards
Human Geography
Global systems and global governance
Changing places
Contemporary urban environments

Students will also complete an individual investigation which will be linked to a unit in the AQA A Level specification.

There are four compulsory one-day fieldwork visits that take place throughout the Year 12 course. These fieldwork visits enhance the students’ understanding of different environments studied, and they also facilitate a greater understanding of fieldwork strategies and techniques in preparation for the Non-Examined Assessment (NEA).

An enrichment residential visit to Iceland is planned for October 2024 in association with Discover the World tour operator.

What will I study in Year 12?

Changing Places

Considers the nature and importance of places, and evaluates how places change their identity over time through their connections, meanings and representation

Contemporary Urban Environments

There is a focus on urban growth and change which are seemingly ubiquitous processes that present significant environmental and social challenges for human populations. There is a particular focus on environmental sustainability of urban places and social cohesion.

Coastal Systems and Landscapes

A systems approach is applied to the study of coastal landscapes

Water and Carbon Cycles

There is a focus on the major stores of water and carbon, and an evaluation of the dynamic cyclical relationships associated with them. A systems approach is applied to the study of water and carbon cycles, and these cycles are studied at a variety of scales.

Fieldwork

An introduction to A Level fieldwork skills is undertaken on a visit to Brighton where students get an insight into how places evolve over time and develop a distinct identity through place representation. This visit enhances students’ understanding of a key case study for the Changing Places unit.

A fieldwork visit to Birling Gap and Seven Sisters Country Park enables students to research two core aspects of the specification. Coastal systems and landscapes are studied at Birling Gap when processes operating at the high energy coastline are researched. As part of the water cycle, drainage basins are explored along the River Cuckmere at Seven Sisters Country Park

Contemporary urban environments are studied on a visit to Battersea Power Station in London to investigate urban regeneration and gentrification.

One fieldwork visit is dedicated to data collection for students’ Non-Examined Assessment (NEA). The location for this visit is dependent on the place and concept being investigated by the students.

Non-Examined Assessment (NEA)

Students are introduced to the NEA and collect data for their independent investigation over the summer break.

What will I study in Year 13?

Non-Examined Assessment (NEA)

Students start Year 13 writing up their NEA. They are guided through the enquiry process, and independently complete their individual investigation which comprises of 3000-4000 words.

Global Systems and Global Governance

Global systems considers globalisation, international trade and access to markets. Whereas global governance focuses on the global commons and includes an evaluation of Antarctica as a global common.

Hazards

Hazards that occur in the lithosphere and atmosphere are explored. Contrasting case studies encourage an analysis of the origin, nature and responses to the hazards. There is a focus on the relationship between people and the environments that they occupy, and this is particularly emphasised when students explore a multi-hazardous environment.

How will I be assessed?

A Level Geography is assessed through two examinations as well as the Non-Examined Assessment which is internally marked, and externally moderated.

80% of the course is assessed via two examinations. Each examination lasts 2.5 hours and focuses on the two parts of the specification:

Paper 1: Physical Geography

Paper 2: Human Geography

20% is assessed in the form of the students' Non-Examined Assessment (NEA).

The Exam Board is AQA. Here is a link to the full specification.

What else should I know?

The course is delivered through discussion and note-taking, as well as analysis and interpretation of maps, aerial photographs, satellite images and data. Independent research and fieldwork form a central part of the A Level. A special emphasis is placed on Geographical Information Systems (GIS) which have increasingly varied commercial applications.
Geography is relevant to many degree courses and future careers. Nationally, Geography has one of the best graduate employment records and Geography graduates are employed in a wide range of occupations, ranging from advertising, business, finance, law, marketing and research. Specialist areas include environmental law, climate change research and GIS.
It may be possible to take an AS at the end of the Lower Sixth.

If you have any queries about this curriculum, please contact: Mrs Nicky Edgar, Head of Geography, on ne@farlingtonschool.com.

Report abuse