A Level Geography
Why Study This Subject?
Geography is the bridge between the natural and social sciences. Its combination of physical and social sciences makes A Level Geography a highly relevant subject to study and the perfect companion to any other humanities, arts or science subjects. Geography is at the forefront of solving many of the challenges facing society, both at local and global scales.
Geographers acquire a wide range of transferable skills, such report writing, decision making, qualitative and quantitative research methods, data presentation and analysis techniques.
Coursework allows students to choose an area of interest to investigate and submit as a 4,000 word report. It is compulsory to undertake four days of fieldwork throughout the course.
Students are expected to undertake 3-4 hours of independent work each week for this subject.
Topics you will cover
You will follow the OCR specification.
From Sept 2016 we have been teaching the new Linear A Level Geography course – all of your exams are at the end of the 2nd year. The course splits equally between Physical and Human aspects.
Human Geography
Global Connections
There are two elements to this: “Global Migration” and “Powers and Borders”
Global Migration is obviously topical in today’s world and we will study a range of complex issues and debates.
Global governance in terms Powers and Borders will include studying the challenges to political borders from Trading Blocs and TNCs as well as Global Governance of Conflict.
Changing Places
In this Core topic, you will study two places, one being local to you, the other being a contrasting place. It is an introduction to basic geographical skills that allow you to investigate and contrast areas. Skills include mapping techniques, data manipulation, statistics and qualitative observations. It will also investigate the perceptions of Place from different groups of people.
Disease Dilemmas
This will focus on the spatial pattern of disease, links to geographical phenomena such as natural disasters and issues related to economic development. We will study two specific diseases.
Physical Geography
Earth’s Life Support Systems: The Water and Carbon Cycles
This core topic is perhaps best summed up by David Suzuki’s quote “Just as human activity is upsetting the Earth’s carbon cycle, our actions are altering the water cycle”. It will involve using a systems approach to understanding these Cycles on a Global, Regional and Local scale. You will study a range of ideas from the impacts of melting permafrost in Alaska to issues of hydrocarbon fuel extraction (fossil fuels) and deforestation.
Hazards
No A Level course would be complete without this topic. After an introduction to Natural Hazards, you will study Volcanic and Seismic (Earthquakes and Tsunami) hazards and associated case studies.
Landscape Systems
Glaciated Landscapes will be studied as systems, through their associated landforms and through the eyes of human exploitation.
Geographical Investigation
You will undertake fieldwork based on Physical and Human Geography and follow this up by completing one Independent Investigation (in the 2nd year)
Assessment
Component 1 Physical Systems
1½ hour written paper 22% of total A Level.
Component 2 Human Geography
1½ hour written paper 22% of A Level (Both papers include multiple choice; short answers; levelled responses and extended prose).
Component 3 Geographical Debates
2½ hour written paper 36% of total A Level
Geographical Investigation
3-4000 words (Internally marked, externally moderated). 20% of A Level
Entry Guidelines
If you have studied GCSE Geography you must have Grade 4. If you have not studied Geography before you will need Grade 5 in GCSE Mathematics OR Grade 5 in a GCSE Science.
You will attend a compulsory residential fieldtrip in the UK.
About 95% of Geographers go on from Greenhead to University; 40% to do a degree in Geography or a related subject. Geography graduates consistently top the tables for “employability” after university. Choose Geography if you enjoy it and this will help you to maximise your success.
Skills you will develop
