For more information about Year 7 – please see ‘Humanities’

WJEC GCSE Geography adopts an enquiry approach to the study of geographical information, issues and concepts. It is based on the principle that geographical education should enable learners to become critical and reflective thinkers by engaging them actively in the enquiry process.

Fieldwork is an essential aspect of geographical education and of this qualification. Learners should consolidate and extend their understanding of geographical concepts learned in the classroom by engaging with enquiries conducted outside of the classroom.

Unit 1: Changing Physical and Human Landscapes

1. Landscapes and Physical Processes (Distinctive landscapes in Wales, Landform process and change in two different and distinctive landscapes of Wales or the wider UK, Drainage basins of Wales and the UK).

2. Rural-urban Links (The urban-rural continuum in Wales, Population and urban change in the UK, Urban issues in contrasting global cities).

3.Tectonic Landscapes and Hazards (Tectonic processes and landforms, Vulnerability and hazard reduction)

Unit 2: Environmental and Development Issues

4. Weather, Climate and Ecosystems (Climate change during the Quaternary period, Weather patterns and process, Processes and interactions within ecosystems, Human activity and ecosystem processes).

5. Development and Resource Issues (Measuring global inequalities, Causes and consequences of uneven development at the global scale and within one low income country (LIC) and one newly industrialised country (NIC), Water resources and their management, Regional economic development).

6. Social Development Issues (Measuring social development, Contemporary issues).

Unit 3: Fieldwork Enquiry

Learners will be given the opportunity to develop their skills of geographical enquiry through fieldwork. They are expected to undertake two fieldwork enquiries, each in a contrasting environment:

1. In one environment the focus of the fieldwork will be on methodology

2. The second fieldwork experience should take place in a contrasting environment.

Assessment

• 40% of the final mark will come from Unit 1

• 40% of the final mark will come from Unit 2

• 20% of the final mark will come from a non-examination assessment.

Entry Requirements:

You should gain a GCSE grade B or above in Geography to qualify for the course.

 What is Geography?

 “Geography is the subject which holds the key to our future.” Michael Palin

Geographers hold the key to our future. Geography is a stimulating, challenging and thought-provoking subject relevant to everyday life. It is a subject that puts the understanding of social and physical processes within the context of place - recognising the great differences in cultures, political systems, economies, landscapes and environments across the world, and exploring the links between them. “More than ever we need the geographer’s foresight to help us learn about our planet ….how we use it and abuse it.”

What will I learn whilst studying Geography?

You will study a wide variety of skills and themes within the subject, which will aid your development as a geographer to become an analytical thinker and to be aware of the human and physical environment in which we live. The course will deepen your understanding of some of the themes taught at GCSE as well as the introduction of completely new and interesting themes. You will participate in a variety of organised activities, tutorials, group and individual work. As a geographer, you will develop your communication skills and ICT will play an important role in researching, analysing and presenting data. You will participate in a variety of fieldwork activities including a fieldwork course as well as fieldwork day visits.

Course Content:

AS Course Content

Unit 1 Changing Landscapes

• Coastal Landscapes

• Tectonic Hazards

Unit 2 Changing Places

• Changing Places

• Fieldwork Investigation in Physical and Human Geography

A Level Course Content

Unit 3 Global Systems and Global Governance

• Global Systems: Water and Carbon Cycles

• Global Governance: Change and Challenges Processes and patterns of global migration and global governance of the Earth’s oceans

• 21st Century Challenges

Unit 4 Contemporary Themes in Geography

•Tectonic Hazards

• Economic Growth and Challenge: China

• Weather and Climate

Unit 5 Independent Investigation (Coursework) One written independent investigation, based on the collection of both primary data and secondary information.

Possible Careers:

Geography as an AS or A level qualification is highly regarded by employers and Higher Education Institutions. The Russell group of Universities regards it as a ‘facilitating’ subject i.e. a subject that is particularly effective in equipping students with the skills they need for a large number of competitive university courses and one which increases a student’s chances of getting on to those courses. Studying Geography can also lead to many rewarding employment opportunities e.g. cartography, planning, social anthropology, education, tourism, meteorology, travel, management and data analysis to name but a few.

Link to the website of the course:

 https://www.cbac.co.uk/qualifications/geography/r-geography-gce-asa-from-2016/index.html