GCE A Level Geography

Programme Features:

Students develop knowledge and understanding of the world at local, regional and global levels Students are made aware of the importance of sustainable development Geography provides an understanding of the inter-relationship between humans and the physical environment Geography enables students to participate in the learning process through fieldwork and practical work Geography can support a personal sense of citizenship and the ability to make informed judgements through critical and sensitive study with awareness of others Geography enables students to develop their own values and understanding of the views and perceptions of people involved in decision making processes especially those associated with the use and management of resources and environment.

Programme Content:

AS Level:

G1 Changing Physical Environments In Tectonic Change students explore why volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis occur and the factors that lead to large numbers of deaths, injuries and economic costs through case studies in Japan, Iceland, India and Democratic Republic of Congo. Students also develop their understanding of how humans have tried to reduce the suffering caused by natural hazards using case studies in San Francisco and Japan.

In Hydrological Change students study a local river to measure how and why rivers react differently to storm events and study floods in Boscastle and Bangladesh using them to understand the human and physical causes of flooding and our response to them.

In Climate Change students examine both sides of the climate change debate focusing on human driven and natural driven climate change. In addition climate change in Kaktovik, Alaska and the Sundarban Islands, Bangladesh is used to discuss the the consequences of global climate change.

G2 Changing Human Environments In Settlement Change students evaluate the success of redevelopment and reurbanisation in large cities like Birmingham. Students go on to examine the variety of opinions about the changes in the rural urban fringe of London and Swansea.

In Population Change students examine the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Lesotho and the success of population control in India, Nigeria and China is analysed.

A2 level

G3 Contempory Themes and research in Geography In Coastal processes, Landforms and management students study the coastal processes and landforms of the Gower and Dorset coastlines. Students' decision making skills are also developed when evaluating coastal defences at Swanage and Chiswell (Dorset)

In Development the role international debt plays in Uganda's under-development is investigated. Students will also develop thier understanding of how India and China have accelerated their development but also thier inequality.

G4 Sustainability This last part of the course allows students to explore the following themes: Sustainable Food Supply; Sustainable Water Supply; Sustainable Energy; Sustainable Cities.

Students are asked to consider why countries like Niger still suffer from food insecurity and malnutrition and why Californians are increasingly facing water shortages. The course also considers whether public transport solutions used in Curitiba (Brazil) and Bogota (Colombia), recycling used in Mumbai (India) and sustainable housing used in Vancouver (Canada) might make our rapidly growing cities more sustainable places to live.