Geography

What is Geography?

Today, the importance of Geography and the significance of contemporary geographical research is clearly apparent when applied globally and nationally.   The world is continually changing and is repeatedly facing social, political economic and environmental issues. Geography examines how the physical world is shaped and how this affects human activity.   Geography is interested in patterns on the earth’s surface, what processes were involved in creating those patterns and the impacts of changes on people, the economy and the environment.

 

Broad General Education Geography

Building on their experience in S1 and S2 pupils will develop:

·         a range of geographical skills and techniques

·         detailed understanding of the ways in which people and the environment interact in response to physical processes and human interactions at local, national, international and global levels

·         detailed understanding of spatial relationships and of the changing world in a balanced, critical and sympathetic way

·         a geographical perspective on environmental and social issues

·         an interest in and concern for the environment, leading to sustainable development

Units of work studied in S1 and S2 are:

·         S1 – Tropical Rainforests

·         S2 – Earth Forces

Pupils in S1 will be given the opportunity to take part in the ZooLab workshop. The workshop allows pupils to come face to face with real life creatures of the Tropical Rainforests. Pupils will be able to put their learning into practice when they take part in this animal handling session.

In S3 pupils will develop their knowledge and understanding of:

·         Fieldwork skills, undertaking different fieldwork opportunities in and around the local area.

·         Water related diseases, such as Malaria and Cholera

·         Climate Change, with a case study of Bangladesh

·         Urban comparison – Edinburgh vs Mumbai

Pupils in S3 Geography, have the opportunity to visit Ingleborough Cave in the Yorkshire Dales. This allows pupils to put their learning into practice and experience learning outside the classroom.

Throughout their time in S3, pupils will develop and build on skills and knowledge needed for National 4 and 5 Geography in S4.

Some Useful Links:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z2f3cdm

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z432pv4/revision/4

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z9bmn39/revision/1

 

National Level Geography

Students will build progressively throughout the course on the key skills of collecting, processing and evaluating information accurately. Fieldwork opportunities will be offered in S3, S4 and at Higher to help students develop these skills. Students will develop skills in analysing information from a range of sources including maps, diagrams and statistical techniques. They will also develop problem solving skills as they are presented with real-life scenarios and are encouraged to work for sustainable solutions.

The following course is offered at National 3, National 4 and National 5.

·         Population

·         Natural Disasters

·         Weather

·         Rivers and their Valleys

·         Limestone

·         Rural – UK and India

Some Useful Links:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/znbw2hv

 

Higher Geography

The Higher course deals with contemporary issues, through which the student will investigate elements of the environment and study how we respond to our surroundings and over time change them. Students will be required to undertake fieldwork in Edinburgh, which will form the basis of their Assignment.

Higher students will study the following topic areas:

Physical Environments:

·         Atmosphere, Lithosphere (Coasts and Glaciation), Hydrosphere & Biosphere

Human Environments:

·         Population, Rural Land Degradation & Urban (Glasgow and Rio De Janeiro)

Global Issues:

·         Climate change & Development and Health

Application of Geographical Skills

·         Scenario mapping

Some Useful Links:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zmhs34j