GCSE Geography
Geography at GCSE considers a wide range of important issues related to
1. The environment
2. Global problems of development
3. Cultural understanding and tolerance.
As an academic subject Geography can offer you ….
1. Transferable skills eg using primary and secondary data, report writing, analytical and research skills.
2. IT skills eg use of spreadsheets, internet, geographical information systems (GIS)
3. Practical skills – measuring and collecting data during fieldwork.
4. A ‘bridging subject’ between the Arts and Sciences . Many university courses accept A Level Geography as a Science subject.
The GCSE Specification
From September 2009 we will be studying the CCEA specification, which is divided into 3 major units and six main themes. Some themes build upon work you have already done in junior school and there are a number of new topics, which are introduced.
Unit 1 Understanding our Natural World
Theme A - The Dynamic landscape including …
The drainage basin and the water cycle
River processes and features
Sustainable management of rivers
Coastal processes and features
Sustainable management of coasts
Theme B - Our changing weather and climate including …
Measuring the elements of the weather
Weather systems affecting the British Isles
Causes and consequences of climatic change
Theme C – The Restless Earth including …
Basic rock types and how they are formed
Tectonic theory ( earthquakes and volcanoes)
Tectonic activity in the British Isles
Earthquakes: can they be managed ?
Unit 2 Living in Our World
Theme A - People and where they live including ….
Population growth, migration and structure
Settlement site, function and hierarchy
Growth of urban areas, shanty towns and urban planning
Theme B - Contrasts in world development including …
The development gap between rich and poor regions
Globalisation and world trade
Fair Trade
Problems of providing aid to poor regions of the world
Theme C – Managing our resources including …
Carbon footprints and the management of traffic in cities
Increasing demand for resources in LEDCs
Renewable energy
How should we manage our waste?
Growth of tourism and its impacts
Unit 3 Fieldwork Report
Each pupil must complete a report of no more than 2000
words based on data which is collected during a
supervised period of fieldwork. A topic for the report is
chosen from a list provided by CCEA.
Assessment
There are two written papers.
Each written paper lasts one hour and 30 minutes.
Each written paper is worth 37.5% of the total exam.
Paper 1- Tests knowledge of Unit 1 – Understanding our natural world
Paper 2 -Tests Knowledge of Unit 2 – Living in our world
Fieldwork report ( Unit 3)
Each pupil must submit one individual report, which is worth 25% of the final exam. The data collection and completion of this report usually occurs in year 12.