GCE Geography The New Specification

2 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

3 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

5 AS at a Glance Unit No.WeightingTitleContent 1 2 hours 35%Physical and Human Geography Core physical and human, plus: 1 from 3 physical options; 1 from 3 human options 2 1 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

6 A2 at a Glance Unit No.WeightingTitleContent 3 2½ 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. 14 1½ hours 20%A choice: 4A Geography fieldwork investigation Or 4B Geographical issue evaluation

7 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.

8 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

9 Subject Content Details – Unit 1 Unit 1 Core Human: Population change Human options One from: Food supply issues Energy issues Health issues

10 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)

11 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

12 Unit 3 The Human options: World cities Development and globalisation Contemporary conflicts and challenges Subject Content Details – Unit 3