GCSE Geography

Geography (GCSE)
If you are interested in current affairs, the environment and how people live, then this subject helps you to understand these issues. It also helps you develop skills such as map reading; interpreting data from photographs, graphs and tables; and decision making. Teaching is varied and you will work in both small and large groups as well as on your own. Information is provided through course books, videos, website resources and classroom discussions. Practical skills are gained through the use of IT, photo-interpretation, map reading and individual research.
Course Content

Managing change in Human Environments

This covers population changes, urban development in less developed countries and the problems facing urban areas in countries such as the UK.

Managing Change in Physical Environments

This focuses on natural hazards like earthquakes, volcanoes, tropical storms and flooding and introduces weather and climate theory. It studies issues surrounding food and water supply across the world and the impact on the environment of activities such as tourism.

Managing Economic Development

This centres on global differences in levels of development, and the attempts being made to reduce the â€-development gap'. You study the effect of economic development on global warming, acid rain, the ozone layer hole and rising sea levels, and more sustainable ways of managing economic development.

Decision Making Exercise

This focuses on a specific problem and the key geographical issues and considers the likely impacts and the types of decisions which may have to be made. You will learn how to interpret maps and other sources of geographical information.

Assessment

There are two examinations and one piece of coursework. The coursework is worth 25% and focuses on the transport problems facing Cambridge and how are they managed: after carrying out fieldwork in Cambridge and other research, you submit an extended piece of writing.

Progression

This course can lead on to AS/A level Geography and gives a good introduction to Geography and many of the approaches to the subject.

Entry requirements

Four Grade Ds at GCSE.

Examination board: AQA