GEOGRAPHY - GCSE
EXAM BOARD AQA
TEACHER I/C OF SUBJECT Mr P Rowe
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course
covers a range of issues.
Unit 1 - Managing places in the 21st Century: The Coastal Environment
Four billion people live in the coastal zone. The need to understand and appreciate the issues involved in managing these places is critical. Pupils will study the formation of natural features, the reasons why the coastal zone is economically important and how the coastline should be managed.
Unit 2 - Hostile World: Living with natural hazards
Many people live in hazardous areas. It is crucial to understand the causes and effects of these hazards in order to prepare and respond to them. Pupils will study tectonic hazards (volcanic eruptions and earthquakes), tropical storms and wildfires.
Unit 3 - Investigating the shrinking world: Global tourism
Tourism is a rapidly growing industry. Pupils will study a range of places and groups of people affected by trends in global tourism. Pupils will investigate whether tourism is sustainable and the impact it has on the gap between richer and poorer countries.
Each of these units will have a terminal examination worth 25% of the overall grade. The exams will be spread throughout the two years of the course in June of Year 10, January of Year 11 and June of Year 11.
The final 25% of the overall grade will consist of two controlled assessments done at school.
Unit 4 - Local investigation (including fieldwork) and geographical issue investigation
Local Investigation (including fieldwork) worth 15%
Pupils will submit a piece of coursework based on a piece of fieldwork. The question will be set by the exam board and answered by pupils using data that they collect.
Geographical Issue Investigation worth 10%
Pupils will answer a question on Energy in the 21st century set by the exam board. This will be done in school as a research project in Year 10.
Range of activities
Pupils will have the opportunity to develop geographical skills (use of maps, satellite I
mages, aerial photographs, geographical information systems, GPS) and these are
integral to the course.
Approaches to teaching and learning are varied and will include individual and group work, role play, decision making exercises, use of ICT and pupil presentations. Fieldwork remains at the heart of geography and as noted above will form the basis of the local
investigation.
The course is suitable for those who intend to go on to study Humanities subjects at
‘A’ level and beyond. The knowledge and, to an even greater extent, the skills gained are useful in a range of careers. The recurring theme of sustainability will be a key issue in many workplaces in years to come.