Studying Geography helps us to make sense of the complicated world around us. It is hands on, it is relevant and it is fun!
‘Geography is one of those lessons that makes you realise how the world works and it gives you that grounding before you even begin to go places. It opens your eyes to things around you and gives you a look at how cultures work and how the world can be deadly as well as beautiful. Personally, geography’s taught me to be aware that the world’s constantly changing and that being factual and precise can be as good as important as being imaginative. It’s so inspiring and surrounds us in everyday life. This is why I think geography is so crucial to learn.’
What will I learn?
GCSE geography at Caerleon offers a good mix of topics (see link below to WJEC flyer.) The course will give you the chance to get to grips with some of the big issues and challenges which affect our world - such as climate change, migration, global cities, extreme weather, managing our oceans and inequality - and understand the social, economic and physical forces and processes which shape and change our world. The knowledge and skills gained will equip you to live and work in an ever changing world.
The distinctive landscape of the UK has been gradually formed over millions of years by coastal, glacial and fluvial (river based) processes, which continue to act today. A number of physical and human factors affect the processes of erosion, weathering, deposition and transportation. As part of this course we will study 'traditional geography' topics such as Rivers, Coasts and Flooding.
Cities and urban areas are some of the most dynamic regions of the world. For the first time, a majority of the global population now lives in towns and cities, with the UN predicting this will increase to 75% by 2050 - highlighting the importance of studying these settlements. This topic looks at reasons why urban areas emerge and develop unevenly within and between countries and the challenges and opportunities that this creates. There is a focus on how we can manage the vast urban spaces more sustainably in the future.
How will I be assessed ?
The course is modular and is examined in 4 Units -
- Unit 1 and 3 are traditional exams , taken in the summer of Y10 and Y11 and have a mixture of long and short questions and answers, similar to the type of knowledge and understanding based questions you will have answered in Y7, Y8 and Y9 for class and homework. This part of the course is worth 60%.
- Unit 2 is an enquiry into a geographical issue such as inequality in cities or changing rivers / coasts. You will carry out fieldwork and present your findings as a ‘project’ similar to the enquiries you carried out in Y7 into the school grounds and accessible tourist facilities and in Y8 into human use of the South Wales Coast. This part of the course is worth 25%.
- Unit 4 is a Decision Making paper - you will be given resources and a scenario about a sustainable issue e.g. managing sea level change, managing migration , improving a shanty town - and will answer structured questions on that scenario. You have started developing Decision Making skills through a number of activities carried out in Y9. This part of the course is worth 15%.
Will GCSE Geography suit my learning style ?
There are so many ways of learning in geography.
- It is very practical, with opportunities to learn new skills such as modern computer based mapping (called GIS), map skills, interpreting photographs, fieldwork skills, presenting, role play and debating techniques.
- You will improve your literacy through your report writing and written work, and make practical use of your numeracy skills when you interpret data and construct graphs.
- Fieldwork is a really important part of geography - in order to teach enquiry skills we will take every opportunity to work in the school grounds or within Caerleon village . This will equip you better for the fieldwork day organised for you to collect the data for your GCSE enquiry. Fieldwork gives you a brilliant opportunity to experience some of the things you have learnt about in class, see things differently and of course have fun.
As well as gaining knowledge , what else will I learn ?
- Geography is highly regarded by employers, colleges and universities because it teaches many transferable skills
- Visual communication skills - Geography gives you the opportunity to gather, analyse and present data in a variety of ways so you will also develop your visual communication skills using maps, graphs, diagrams and images to problem solve.
- Place knowledge - You will develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the UK’s economic, social and environmental geography.
- Looking at issues differently - Geographers uniquely tackle and investigate big issues across a variety of scales. You will also learn how to bring together perspectives from multiple disciplines.
- Highly relevant knowledge - You will study issues that are extremely relevant to the challenges the world is facing today both environmentally and in wider society. This equips you with valuable knowledge for future studies.
- Fieldwork - Fieldwork is an enjoyable opportunity to explore new environments, improving your understanding of topics as they come to life. Fieldwork provides you with useful skills in collecting, understanding and later communicating data to different audiences.
- Data and geospatial skills - Geography is practical and will give you opportunities to learn new skills such as computer-based mapping (GIS), map skills, interpreting photographs and fieldwork skills. It will make practical use of your numeracy skills when you interpret data and construct graphs.
- Teamwork - Working in teams during fieldwork and in the classroom will help develop your communication and collaboration skills.
- Geographical argument - You will gain strong research and analytical skills, helping you to produce convincing arguments and to communicate ideas effectively, which is particularly useful in all other essay-based subjects.
There has never been a better time to study geography so make the choice to go places with geography by taking geography at GCSE.
Credits:
Created with images by Joseph Oropel - "Golden sunset view from a cliff in San Fernando, Philippines" • Sidhundev - "Mumbai aerial view"