Geography is the subject which holds the key to our future’:
Michael Palin The study of Geography aims to provide pupils with a ‘sense of place’ by identifying and studying the processes which create patterns across the Earth’s surface. It is necessary to acquire skills in order to study both the physical and human environments at a variety of scales ranging from local to global.
It aims to provide a sound basis for young people to develop an interest in and make informed judgements on many situations and problems which exist in the world in which we live.
All pupils will follow the GCSE course over two years which is structured as follows:
PAPER 1 - Unit 1: Changing Physical and Human Landscapes (40% of qualification)
Section A: Core Themes - Landscapes and Physical Processes and Rural-urban Links
What makes landscapes distinctive in Wales, and how do processes work together to create landform features at different scales in rivers and coastal landscapes in Wales? What physical processes affect how water moves or is stored in our landscapes?
Coastal Hazards and their Management. Why are some coastal communities vulnerable to erosion and flooding? And how are coastlines managed?
How are urban and rural areas in Wales linked? And what are the causes and consequences of population change in the UK? What are the global patterns of urbanisation?
PAPER 2 - Unit 2: Environmental and Development Issues (40% of qualification)
Section A: Core Theme - Weather, Climate and Ecosystems and Development and Resource Issues.
What is the evidence for climate change?
What are the causes and consequences of two weather hazards?
What are the key features of ecosystems at different scales? And where are large scale ecosystems found? How do people use ecosystems and environments?
How is economic development measured and what are contemporary global patterns? And what factors drive globalisation? What are the Social Development Issues? – migration, child labour etc
How is social development measured? And what are the factors that influence birth and death rates?
How and why is the demand for water changing? And what are the regional patterns of economic development in one economically developing country?
Unit 3: Fieldwork Enquiry (20% of qualification) What is the geographical enquiry process? How is evidence collected? And how can evidence be processed and presented? How can evidence be analysed and how do patterns and trends evidenced by fieldwork relate to wider geographical knowledge and understanding? What conclusions may be drawn from fieldwork enquiries? And finally, what evaluative techniques should be applied to the enquiry process? This is a written report from the learner, to include evidence of their understanding of the enquiry process and their independent ability to process/present data and complete extended writing. The report must be written in response to specific questions set by WJEC.
Careers
Geography is a considerable help for many careers, the subject covering many different skills and topics. It can lead to specific careers or provide a broad training for a range of employment opportunities.