Geography
Unit 3 & 4
Course Description
In this unit students focus on two investigations of geographical change to the land: Land Cover Change (Deforestation, Desertification, Melting Glaciers) and Land Use Change (Agricultural, Urban, Rural, Commercial, Industrial, Natural Environments). Students gain an understanding of how land cover develops over time through the interconnection between climate, soils, landforms, plants and animals and, increasingly, interconnections with human activities (agriculture, growth of cities, war, and population growth). Students gain insight into specific case study locations, such as: Deforestation (The Amazon Rainforest), Desertification (The Sahara Desert, London, Paris), Melting Glaciers (Greenland) and regions affected by Climate Change (Kiribati, Florida, Fiji and Agraba). Students then investigate the causes and impacts that Land Use Change has on social, economic, environmental and political spheres in the region of Melbourne and conduct a field study at a regional location of their choice.
Outcomes - On completion of this unit students will be able to:
Analyse, describe and explain land use change and its impacts
Analyse, describe and explain processes that result in changes to land cover and discuss the impacts and responses resulting from these changes.
Assessment Tasks
Structured questions
Field study report
Exam
Unit 4: Human population – trends and issues
Students will study economic, social, environmental and political factors that affect human population patterns and trends across the globe and the consequences that population decline and population growth rates pose in a variety of case study locations. Some case studies include: Bangladesh (Population Growth) and Japan (Ageing Population and Population Decline). Students will also examine the factors influencing migration, such as: quality of life, job opportunities, war, famine, and refugee and asylum seekers. Some case studies include: United Arab Emirates (Job Opportunities), and the The Mediterranean refugee crisis. Students will then analyse the impacts that migration has on host and donor countries and how society and political institutions respond.
Outcomes - On completion of this unit students will be able to:
Evaluate the relative importance of factors that affect changes in human population and one other selected global phenomenon.
Compare and evaluate the effectiveness of responses and policies to manage a global phenomenon from a global perspective.
Assessment Tasks
Structured questions
Field Study Report
Textbook requirements:
None
Resources/Requirements:
School laptop provided in School Bundle
A4 Exercise Book & pens
Additional Costs: