Geography

Welcome to the Shawlands Academy Geography Department page!

Geography is the study of our changing world and its human and physical processes. Uniquely in the Humanities Geography offers opportunities for fieldwork where pupils will visit place in Scotland and conduct Geographical research. Geography is studied in the context of local, UK and World issues. In the Nationals and the Higher our main topics are a) Physical Environments, b) Human Environments and c) Global Issues. Learning skills is an important part of Geography and we focus on three main skills: 1) researching and using information, 2) mapping skills and 3) interpreting numerical and graphical information.
Who might choose this subject?
To study at Higher a pupil should have an A or B pass at National 5. For National 4 a National 3 pass is required and for National 5 a National 4 pass is required. A candidate without these requirements must speak to the Head of Humanities to attempt to come to an agreement on admission. Admission will be dependent upon attainment in the other subjects in Humanities and in English.

Many Geography students go on to study or have a career in business, cartography, climatology, leisure and recreation, conservation, environmental management, surveying, planning and travel and tourism.

Additional Information

National 5 involves a final exam, internal assessments and an Added Value Unit. Pupils will conduct their own research in for the Added Value Unit.

National 4 does not involve a final exam. There are three internal assessments and an Added Value Unit (AVU). For the AVU pupils must research a topic of their choice and write a report on it.  The qualification is a simple pass or fail with no grades.

At National 3 level there are three written assessments that need to be passed to achieve the qualification. There is no AVU or exam.

At Higher there is an exam and an assignment to do during the year. Students will have to conduct their own research for the assignment.