Geography and Global Issues

Course Description

Students will learn about global issues and key concepts in Geography related to Land Use Change and deforestation using the Amazon Rainforest and the Congo Basin Rainforest in Central Africa as a detailed Case Studies. Students will study the characteristics of tropical rainforests and will develop an understanding of the importance of rainforests for the animals and people, including indigenous tribes, that rely on the resources as well as its influence on the global climate.  They will analyse and explain changes in these natural environments due to human activities such as: logging, cattle ranching, mining, cash crop agriculture, illegal poaching of endangered animals, urbanisation (the growth of cities), population growth, as well as learn about efforts being undertaken to ensure the rainforest is sustainably managed in the future. A key theme of this unit will also focus on Climate Change and what people can do on a local, national and global level to manage this global issue. 

The second area of study focuses on Travel and Tourism. Students will analyse types of tourism, popular tourist destinations around the world, describe the global distribution of natural and cultural landscapes that attract people to these locations and explain the social, economic, environmental and political impacts that tourism has in specific regions of the world. Case studies will focus on Laos, Bali, Rwanda, Vietnam, Ethiopia, Thailand, France, South Pacific Island nations, Italy and Mexico. Students will explore how local, national and global communities around the world are responding to tourism to minimise impacts and ensure a sustainable industry into the future.