Geography Details

At AS Level, you will study the core human and physical modules. In each area of study you will consider the values and attitudes of decision makers, consider your own values and attitudes to the issues being studied and support your learning of ideas through the study of specific case studies. You will also develop a variety of geographical skills, which will broaden and deepen existing knowledge and be employed with a greater degree of independence. You will study the core and then select at least one of the physical options and at least one of the human options. Unit 1: Physical and Human Geography Core physical section: Rivers, floods and management. Optional physical topics: Cold environments, Coastal environments, Hot desert environments and their margins. Core human section: Population change. Optional human topics: Food supply issues, Energy issues, Health issues. You must study both core topics and at least one other physical and one other human option. Unit 2: Geographical skills: A geographical skills paper based on the AS content. Skills include: investigative, cartographic, graphical, ICT and statistical skills. At A Level, you will continue to study a combination of human and physical geography with an issues-based approach to contemporary geographical themes. You will also undertake research and data collection in the field to prepare you for an issue evaluation exam paper. You must study three topics: at least one from the physical options and at least one from the human options. Unit 3: Contemporary Geographical Issues Optional physical topics: Plate tectonics and associated hazards, Weather and climate and associated hazards, Ecosystems: change and challenge. Optional Human topics: World cities, Development and globalisation, Contemporary conflicts and challenges Unit 4: Issue evaluation. This unit gives you the opportunity to extend an area of the subject content into a more detailed study. You will analyse and evaluate a contemporary geographical issue, such as the building of the Belo Monte dam in Brazil, the causes and consequences of the Christchurch earthquake, or flooding in the town of Morpeth. This paper will also assess your geographical skills.