Courses

Geography

Year 11 and 12 ATAR Pathway|Humanities and Social Sciences

Geography

Matt Hildebrandt
Curriculum Leader – Humanities and Social Sciences
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Geography

Tilly SpadacciniDecember 1, 2017February 12, 2020

Geography is a dynamic course that is grounded in the real world and deals with some of the major concerns of our time, so students will be studying key contemporary issues like poverty, climate change, globalisation, geopolitical issues and hazards. Geographers focus on the interactions between individuals, societies and the physical environment in both time and space, so we will explore these ideas by looking at the challenges facing communities who live for example in urban environments, and in zones of threat, such as tectonically active areas. Geography is about identifying trends and patterns in these interactions and examining the processes behind them. We also investigate the way people adapt and respond to change, and evaluate management strategies associated with change. Central to this is a consideration of different perspectives, economic circumstances and cultural diversity.

The answers to the broad and complex questions faced by geographers require the use of approaches from various fields. We call this a holistic approach. Geographers are good at seeing how all the pieces of the puzzle fit together. In Geography, we aim to develop students’ international understanding and foster a concern for global issues. This subject encourages students to appreciate our shared responsibility as citizens of an increasingly interconnected world, and to develop the values and attitudes to help them reach a degree of personal commitment in trying to resolve some of these issues. This is why you will find geographers working in international development agencies, resource management, politics, business, and environmental agencies.

Courses

Year 11 ATAR Course

Unit 1

The increasing impact of deadly hazards, largely due to rapid human population growth, has prompted the active search for solutions. Earthquakes and pandemics (diseases) are the main hazards studied in this unit. The understanding of each hazard will be developed through spatial distribution, cause and impact, as well as recent case studies. Students investigate how human activity affects the risks associated with earthquakes and pandemics, as well as risk minimisation strategies.

Unit 2 - Global Networks and Interconnections

This unit focuses on the process of international integration (globalisation) and is based on the reality that we live in an increasingly interconnected world. It provides students with an understanding of the economic and cultural transformations taking place in the world today, the spatial outcomes of these processes, and their political and social consequences. This is a world in which advances in transport and telecommunications technologies have not only transformed global patterns of production and consumption but also facilitated the diffusion of ideas and elements of cultures. Students will complete two depth studies: the first involves the consequences of production and consumption within the global coffee and wine industry; the second study focuses on the cultural impact of globalisation on tourism and sport.

Assessments
  • Geography encompasses a number of general capabilities that will assist students to live and work successfully in the twenty-first century. Students will focus on being effective writers who think critically, creatively and ethically. All of the Geography ATAR units focus strongly on skills including mapping, information communication and technology, fieldwork and statistical analysis. As well as skills, students will be assessed on their geographical knowledge and understanding through inquiry and in-class assessments. The main types of assessments used within all four Geography units of study will include:

  • Investigation - Geographical Inquiry
  • Fieldwork/Practical Skills
  • Explanation - Short and Extended Answer Tests
  • Examination

Year 12 ATAR Course

Unit 3 - Global Environmental Change

The earth’s surface is constantly changing and all environments are, to a greater or lesser extent, being modified by human activity. The scale at which these processes are occurring is so extensive that very few truly natural environments still exist and most are now, to some degree, anthropogenic (human) in nature. Human action has altered local and regional climates, hydrology, ecosystems, soils and contributed to the loss of biodiversity. This unit begins with an overview of land cover change drawn from different regions and countries, and examines the processes causing change. Students will then complete two depth studies: the first being the interrelationship between land cover and global climate change; the second study focuses on the evaluation of initiatives designed to address climate change with specific reference to global agriculture and food security.

Unit 4 - Planning Sustainable Places

The rapid urbanisation of the world’s population in the past fifty years has presented communities with both opportunities and challenges. Urban planning aims to design places that are productive, vibrant and sustainable. Perth and the megacity of New York will be used as depth studies for this unit of study. Students will examine the major characteristics of each city, including the physical setting, internal and external layout, as well as demographics. From this point they will investigate the major urban problems facing both cities and evaluate sustainable strategies to address such challenges and promote greater liveability. The different perspectives of stakeholders will be studied in relation to these urban problems. Students will attend a one-day compulsory field trip within Perth and a non-compulsory biannual tour is offered to New York City.

Assessments
  • Geography encompasses a number of general capabilities that will assist students to live and work successfully in the twenty-first century. Students will focus on being effective writers who think critically, creatively and ethically. All of the Geography ATAR units focus strongly on skills including mapping, information communication and technology, fieldwork and statistical analysis. As well as skills, students will be assessed on their geographical knowledge and understanding through inquiry and in-class assessments. The main types of assessments used within all four Geography units of study will include:

     

  • Investigation - Geographical Inquiry
  • Fieldwork/Practical skills
  • Explanation - Short and Extended Answer Tests
  • Examination

Prerequisites

Minimum Level of Achievement in Year 10 Humanities:

A course average of 60% or above

Past Exams

Humanities Past Exams

Contact

Matt Hildebrandt
Curriculum Leader – Humanities and Social Sciences
Matt.Hildebrandt@scotch.wa.edu.au
  • Last Updated: December 1, 2017February 12, 2020
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