Why study Geography?

Never a day goes by without something geographical in the news. Geography is weather, climate, oceans, volcanoes, deserts, populations, migration, atmosphere and ecosystems. It is food, agriculture, environment, trade, transport, communications and sustainability. It is how we live, where we live, why we live there and how we interact. Geography is constantly changing and in the next 50 years is about to hit the biggest change in the earth as we know it. The study of this helps learners to gain a local, national, international and global knowledge of these changes and how we can adapt.

Employability skills

Many of the skills gained in Geography are transferable from data gathering, report writing, time management and organisation, communication and interpersonal skills, use of ICT and numeracy, problem solving and group work skills, these will all help young learners be the future of tomorrow. Choosing to study Geography is a great way to remain flexible and keep your options open for the future as it offers a broad knowledge base alongside skills development.

GEOGRAPHY S1-S3

In S1 pupils familiarise themselves with Atlas and map work. This includes the use of Ordnance Survey maps. Pupils also study sustainable development through climate change and the impact that it is having on our planet. Pupils also do a country investigation on a country of their choice.

In S2 pupils look at the structure of the earth and its impact upon people and the environment. They study volcanoes, earthquakes and Tsunamis. To build upon their skills from the country investigation, pupils study a volcanic eruption of their choice. To gain extra skills which are required at National level, pupils study a core unit about Scotland and their local area. This includes geology, weather, farming and erosional processes that have changed the Scottish landscape.

In S3 pupils learn about the main natural regions of our planet. This includes rainforests, hot deserts, cold deserts and the Mediterranean. Within these areas pupils study the relationship between the physical landscape and people. To prepare pupils for their assignments at National 4/5 they carry out a range of fieldwork gathering and processing techniques and write up their findings.

GEOGRAPHY: NATIONAL 3/4/5

Why Geography?

Geography opens up for learners the physical environment around them and the ways in which people interact with this environment.

The purpose of Geography is to develop the learner’s understanding of our changing world and its human and physical processes. Opportunities for practical activities, including fieldwork, will be encouraged, so that learners can interact with their environment.

Entry to the Course

The Geography course will be offered at various levels to suit the learning needs of all pupils. Enthusiasm for the subject is all that is required.

Course Outline

Pupils will study three units

Physical Environment: Limestone and rivers; land use and conflict; and weather

Human Environment: Urban areas; rural areas; and Population

Global Issues: Climate change; and tourism

Assessment

There will be assessments within each unit which will allow pupils to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in a variety of different ways.

At both National 4 and National 5 there will also be an assignment which will allow learners to apply a range of skills while they research a geographical issue. At National 5 this will be marked by the SQA and will form part of the overall grade awarded.

At National 5 there is also an external exam at the end of the year, which will determine a pupil’s overall grade, along with the assignment.

At both National 4 and 5, pupils will carry out field work at the River Endrick early in the course in preparation for their Assignment/Added Value Unit.

 

GEOGRAPHY: HIGHER

Why Geography?

This course builds on National 5 Geography and is designed to enable you to develop a detailed understanding of important aspects of the contemporary world. This involves studying the ways that people and the environment interact and examining the environmental issues that arise in a rapidly changing world. Throughout the course you will have the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills including research, evaluation and presentation, IT, mapping and statistics.

Entry to the Course

Candidates should have gained at least an A-C pass in National 5 Geography or an A-B pass at National 5 in Maths or one of the Science subjects.

 

Course Outline

The course is divided between

• Human (Population, Rural and Urban): this section of the course looks at how people use the land and deal with overpopulation and growing cities.
• Physical (Lithosphere, Hydrosphere and Biosphere): in this part of the course you will learn processes which shape the land we live on, from giant ice sheets to raging rivers.
• Environmental Interactions (Energy and Development and Health): this section will compare rich countries to poorer nations and compare how both sides manage their own unique problems.

Assessment

The final award depends on the performance in the external exam. There is also an assignment, worth 33% of the overall grade. This will be completed in school but marked by the SQA.

 

GEOGRAPHY: ADVANCED HIGHER

For those who already have an interest in Geography, the Advanced Higher course gives an opportunity to study topics in-depth and with an emphasis on independent learning. The course is especially suited to those who are about to go to University, studying virtually any subject, because of its academic rigour and teaching and learning techniques.

Entry to the course

• A Higher Geography pass at grade A or B is expected.

Course Outline

• Geographical Methods and Techniques – fieldwork survey/measurement and recording techniques; statistical awareness; production and interpretation of maps and diagrams. The group will go on a fieldwork weekend to the Isle of Arran.

• Geographical Study– requires students to use many of the techniques they have learnt by conducting fieldwork and presenting it in an investigative report.  This is usually undertaken around Balfron and could cover subjects such as the relationship between soil characteristics and altitude or the defining of Aberfoyle as a tourist settlement.

• Geographical Issues essay – requires students to analyse a contemporary geographical issue.  Examples would be the construction of dams in the Amazon basin or the viability of gas fracking in the UK.

The course assessment consists of two components.  There is a final examination question paper based on the students’ ability to use a variety of Geographical Methods and Techniques. This accounts for 33 per cent of the students’ final mark. The remaining 67 per cent is assessed in a folio consisting of two pieces of work: the Geographical Study and the Geographical Issues Essay.