National 3/4/5 Geography

Young people are curious about the World around them. Geography encourages this curiosity and provides the facts and skills to explore and understand how people, economies and cultures interact with their environments. 

Michael Palin said that ‘Geography is the subject which holds the key to our future’, particularly regarding climate change. As well as the practical skill of using maps, Geography also provides many transferable skills used in study and work: comparing and interpreting information; describing and explaining; understanding cause and effect; and appreciating different environments and cultures. Employers like the broad range of skills it offers. 

The course will involve units of work based on three major themes. These themes are:

1. Physical Environments –We will study how the dramatic Scottish landscape was carved by huge glaciers and how the seas and oceans around UK have shaped the coast. In addition to this the class will investigate conflicts and land uses in the rural landscape. Finally students will study the ever changing British weather and the challenge of weather forecasting.

2. Human Environments – Urban studies will focus on the structure and problems faced by Glasgow and Mumbai. In Population studies the class will look at global population change caused by birth and death rates. The final section will investigate the issues and challenges facing of farming in Scotland and India.

3. Global Issues – Pupils will investigate climate change, including the natural and human causes, the effects, and strategies to help mitigate and adapt. Secondly, pupils will study global health issues such as AIDS, Malaria and heart disease.

The course assesses two main elements. They are:

1. KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING involves knowing and understanding basic geographical facts concerned with places, people, landscapes etc.

2. SKILLS 

a. Mapping skills – grid references, measuring distance using scale, using maps in association with photographs, field sketches etc

b. Research skills including fieldwork – gathering, processing and interpreting

c. Extracting, interpreting and presenting information – e.g. statistical, graphical and tabular information

National 5

The exam will assess knowledge and skills and is worth 80% of the total mark for this course. Pupils will answer questions from all three units in this exam within 2hours 20 minutes. In addition, pupils must research a geographical topic and complete a piece of coursework on this. Field work opportunities will be provided to support the Assignment. The Assignment essay will be written up in exam conditions in one hour and will be worth 20% of the overall mark.

National 4

Three unit assessments must be completed at N4 level together with an Added Value investigation in order to achieve this award. The Added Value topic is chosen by the candidate and completed within class time. Pupils will also have the option to attempt National 5 unit assessments to progress as far as they can in this subject.

National 3

Pupils must complete three unit assessments at this level in order to achieve a N3 course award.