GCE Geography

The New Specification

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Underlying Principles

• To build on the strengths of the existing specifications

• To provide a relevant and interesting geographical course for post 16 students

• To develop a course based on core geographical principles yet also contemporary in nature

• To examine a wide range of contemporary issues affecting people and the world

• To be responsive to the views of teachers

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Underlying Principles (2)

• To emphasise the study of geographical change at a range of scales

• To encourage the acquisition of a broad range of skills useful in lifelong learning

• To enable a variety of teaching and learning styles including the use of new technologies

• To cater for a wide range of student abilities and aptitudes

4

Increased Choice

Choice exists:

• At AS – In addition to subject cores, there is a choice of 1 from 3 physical options and 1 from 3 human options

• At A2 – a choice of 3 from 6 options, with a requirement to teach at least 1 physical option and 1 human option

• In the assessment of fieldwork at A2, with 2 pathways

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AS at a Glance

Unit No. Weighting Title Content

12 hours

35% Physical and Human Geography

Core physical and human, plus:

1 from 3 physical options; 1 from 3 human options

21 hour

15% Geographical skills Skills paper. Context of Q1 will arise from Core of Unit 1. Q2 will assess any geographical fieldwork undertaken from the AS course

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A2 at a Glance

Unit No. Weighting Title Content

32½ hours

30% Contemporary

Geographical

issues

3 from 6 options. 3 physical, and 3 human. Candidates choose at least one from each of these 2 areas. 2 structured questions and one essay.

141½ hours

1½ hours

20% A choice:

4A Geography fieldwork investigation

Or

4B Geographical issue evaluation

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Unit 4 in more detail

EITHER:

Unit 4A : fieldwork externally assessed by AQA in a 1½ hour examination. Candidates’ understanding of their own fieldwork will be examined through generic questions.

OR

Unit 4B : an issue evaluation (1½ hours) based on pre-released material (2 months) including elements of enquiry skills.

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Subject Content Details – Unit 1

Unit 1

Core Physical: Rivers, floods and their management

Physical options

One from: Cold environments

Coastal environments

Hot desert environments and their margins

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Subject Content Details – Unit 1

Unit 1

Core Human: Population change

Human options

One from: Food supply issues

Energy issues

Health issues

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Subject Content Details – Unit 3

Unit 3

Candidates will answer three questions:

• one Physical structured question from 3 options

• one Human structured question from 3 options

• one on either 1 Physical or 1 Human (essay)

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Subject Content Details – Unit 3

Unit 3

The Physical options:

• Plate tectonics and associated hazards

• Weather and climate and associated hazards

• Ecosystems: change and challenge

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Unit 3

The Human options:

• World cities

• Development and globalisation

• Contemporary conflicts and challenges

Subject Content Details – Unit 3