Geography
Introduction to the Department
Think of all the recent Series on TV – Coast, Planet Earth, Pole to Pole – people are fascinated with the natural world and how we interact with it. What the natural world can do to us in terms of disasters like the Asian Tsunami or Hurricane Katrina, or what we do to it in terms of climate change. In today’s rapidly changing world, issues like global warming, debt, fair trade and rainforest destruction are very topical.
Geography isn’t just global but also local – wind farms, coastal erosion and depopulation are of key importance to our islands. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are now extensively used in marketing, advertising and distribution. Geography is a dynamic subject which aims to give pupils an understanding of these issues and also an opportunity to contribute effectively in an informed way to the debate about them.
Courses Offered in the Department
The Department provides a S1/2 course to all pupils as part of their broad general education. Pupils who continue with Geography in S3 continue with their broad general education but using 4th level outcomes and experiences which link to National exams. In S4 we offer courses at National 3,4 and 5, while in S5/6 courses at Intermediate 1 and 2 and Higher are offered. Where there is sufficient demand and if timetabling allows, Advanced Higher may be offered to S6 pupils.
Higher Education and Careers
Geography can be studied either as an Arts subject [BA/MA] or as a Science [BSc] at most Universities. A huge range of jobs are open to Geography graduates- in areas like retail, IT, planning, teaching, marketing, tourism, journalism etc.
