Geography

Introduction

Geography is a valuable conjoint with such subjects as law, commerce, planning, valuation, and architecture, and can broadly be defined as ‘the study of the earth as the home of people.

From a geographer’s perspective, the world can be viewed as being composed of two interacting environments, the human (cultural) environment and the natural (physical) environment. Geographers set out to describe and explain the characteristics of, and the processes operating within, each of these environments as well as the interactions that take place between them.

Studies in Geography can cover a great variety of areas, such as hydrology, coastal processes, biogeography, environmental science, climatology, meteorology, geophysics, geology, botany, population studies, planning, tourism, settlement studies, economic systems, transportation, sociology, anthropology, development studies, land-use studies, and geomorphology.

Form 4 Social Sciences (Geography and History):

Prerequisites: None.

Description / aims: Form 4 Geography and History are about how people in different environments, cultures, times, and places, think, feel, and act, how they organise their ways of life, interact with their environments, others, and initiate or respond to change. Four broad aims may be identified:

To develop knowledge of the world and nation within which we live.
To promote thinking and understanding of how and why different cultures and individuals make, or have made, decisions to meet their needs.
To develop academic and social skills.
To create an ongoing interest in the Social Science disciplines of Geography and History.

The Form 4 Geography and History courses introduces the senior Social Science subjects of Geography and History. Students get a taste of both subjects, study topics that have value in their own right and fulfil the requirements of the NZ National Curriculum. Where the timetable allows, this will involve classes being taught Geography and History by specialist teachers. Covering some Pre-Q content in Form 4 also allows those students who continue in these subjects more in-depth learning in Form 5.

Course outline: The Pre-Q Geography syllabus covers three themes as well as a geographic skills component. The three themes are:

Theme 1: The Natural Environment
Theme 2: Population and Settlement
Theme 3: Development and use of Resources

In Form 4, students cover elements of Theme 1 and Theme 2 in order to give them exposure to the physical and human sides of Geography. In addition, they will be exposed to a variety of geographic skills.

The topics covered are:

Plate tectonics, volcanoes and earthquakes – the natural processes involved. Their effects and how people can prepare and cope with the consequences.
Population change, the population explosion, youthful and ageing populations and their consequences. Government policies to influence birth rates. Resources in relation to population. Migration and the movement of people within and between countries.
Coasts, the features and processes operating in coastal environments. This will include looking at how erosion, transportation and deposition, maintain a dynamic coastal environment.
Geographic skills

The Pre-Q History Syllabus covers the History of the Twentieth Century through the lens of four Key Questions that seek to summarise international relations. In Form 4, students will learn about the history of the First World War, the interwar years and the outbreak of the Second World War and New Zealand’s place in these histories.

The topics covered are:

World War I, 1914-1918

Key Question 1: Did one bullet cause World War I?
Key Question 2: Why didn’t the strategy of attrition win World War I?

International Relations, 1919-1939

Key Question 3: ‘The Diktat’ – how significant was the Treaty of Versailles?
Key Question 4: Could anything have stopped Hitler from causing World War II?

Methods of assessment: Every Form 4 student will complete a common test and or an examination at the end of every unit of work. In addition, individual teachers carry out book checks and tests for their classes. Examinations have Geography and History papers, employing questions that are designed to develop Pre-Q skills to support learning in Form 5.

Special equipment/costs: Standard stationery equipment is required as well as booklets which are charged for.

Continuation of subject at School: Form 4 Geography and History leads into Form 5 Pre-Q Geography and History and NCEA L1 Humanities

Humanities – Form 5 (NCEA Level 1):

Prerequisites: This course is offered to students in 4P and 4R who will study a full NCEA Level 1 course in Form 5.

Course description/aims: The Form 5 Humanities programme includes Achievement Standards from History and Geography.

The aim of the course is to help students develop their communication skills, learning to express themselves effectively for different purposes. Key historical and geographical skills will be learnt and students will gain an understanding of the world in which they live.

Furthermore, the course aims to develop knowledge and skills useful for History and Geography at Level 2.

Course outline: The course will comprise of four Achievement Standards, two from History and two from Geography. Students can acquire a maximum of 20 credits from this course.

Methods of assessment: Students will complete at least two of the following Geography standards:

Geography 1.1 – Demonstrate understanding of the spatial distribution of phenomena and its impacts within te taiao [5 Credits, Internal]
Geography 1.2 – Explore te taiao using data [5 Credits, Internal]
Geography 1.3 – Demonstrate understanding of how natural processes operate within te taiao [5 Credits, External]
Geography 1.4 – Demonstrate understanding of geographic decision-making in Aotearoa New Zealand or the Pacific [5 Credits, External]

And at least two of the following History Standards:

History 1.1 – Engage with a variety of primary sources in a historical context [5 Credits, Internal]
History 1.2 – Demonstrate understanding of the significance of a historical context [5 Credits, Internal]
History 1.3 – Demonstrate understanding of historical concepts in contexts of significance to Aotearoa New Zealand [5 Credits, External]
History 1.4 – Demonstrate understanding of perspectives on a historical context [5 Credits, External]

Continuation of subject: This subject is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge required for entry to NCEA Level 2 Geography and NCEA Level 2 History in Form 6.

Form 5 (Pre-Q):

Prerequisites: None. Students have already completed approximately 18 weeks of the Form 5 Pre-Q Geography course while in Form 4. It should be noted that this work will not be re-taught in Form 5, but will be included in the final Pre-Q examination.

Course description/aims: The Form 5 Pre-Q Geography curriculum is divided into three themes, which are collectively designed to develop an understanding of both the natural and human environment:

Population and Settlement: examines why and how populations change and different settlement patterns form
The Natural Environment: examines a wide variety of processes shaping the landscape. These include tectonic processes, weathering, river, glacial and wind processes, coastal processes, climate and vegetation environments
Development: covers a range of topics from agricultural and industrial systems through to variations in economic development between countries

Geographic skills and various methods of depicting geographical information (e.g. topographic mapping, graphs and models) are also covered in the course.

Methods of assessment: School examinations:

1 x 1 hour examination – end of Term 1
1 x 2 hour examination – end of Term 2
1 x 3 hour examination – end of Term 4 (Pre-Q)

Special equipment/costs: Students are required to provide their own Geography equipment. It should include a 30cm ruler, colouring pencils, glue stick, scissors, pencil sharpener, pens, and a 2B8 Book. Students may be required to contribute to any field trip bus costs.

Continuation of subject: Cambridge courses are offered at Form 6 (AS) and Form 7 (A2) levels. Students should note that NCEA Geography courses are also offered at Forms 6 and 7.

Form 6 (NCEA Level 2):

Prerequisites: Form 6 NCEA Geography extends upon the ideas and concepts developed in Form 5 Pre-Q Geography or Level 1 NCEA Humanities, but it is possible to pick this up if not studied at Form 5 (subject to approval by the Head of Department).

Course description/aims: Geography aims to develop an understanding of the environment as the home of people. This involves studying the characteristics and processes of both the Natural and Cultural environments of New Zealand and other parts of the world. The course also develops a wide range of thinking, practical, valuing and social skills.

Course outline:

2.1 – Demonstrate geographic understanding of a large natural environment (e.g.: Amazon Basin, South Island High Country) [4 Credits, External]
2.2 – Demonstrate geographic understanding of an urban pattern [3 Credits, Internal]
2.3 – Demonstrate geographic understanding of differences in development [4 Credits, External]
2.4 – Apply geographic concepts and skills to demonstrate geographic understanding of a given environment [4 Credits, External]
2.5 – Conduct geographic research with guidance [5 Credits, Internal]
2.6 – Explain aspects of a contemporary New Zealand geographic issue [3 Credits, Internal]
2.7 – Explain aspects of a geographic topic at a global scale [3 Credits]

Special equipment/costs: Students are required to provide their own Geography equipment including a 30cm ruler, colouring pencils, glue stick, scissors, pencil sharpener, pens, and a 2B8 Book. Students may be required to contribute to any field trip bus costs.

Continuation of subject: NCEA Level 3 classes are offered at Form 7.

Form 6 (AS):

Prerequisites: Form 6 Cambridge AS Geography builds upon the ideas and concepts developed in the Form 5 Pre-Q course, but can be picked up by students who did not study this course. Students should note that Form 6 Cambridge (AS) Geography is an academically rigorous course and is a step-up from the Form 5 Pre-Q course. Students with a mark lower than 60% in the Pre-Q Examination, or did not study the subject at Form 5, should consult with the Head of Department.

Course description/aims: The Form 6 Cambridge AS Geography curriculum is designed to develop an understanding of both the natural and human environments. Students are required to study three themes from the Physical Geography section and two from the Human Geography section.

Physical Geography themes:

Hydrology and Fluvial Geomorphology: examines the processes operating in river drainage systems and the various landforms created. Human interactions and modifications are also explored
Rocks and Weathering: looks at the different processes influencing, and responsible for, weathering and slope development. The nature of weathering processes in rocks of differing chemical composition and structure, and in different environments, are examined
Atmosphere and Weather: examines the energy flows that drive the earth’s weather and climate systems. Atmospheric moisture, precipitation, air stability and resulting weather phenomena are studied. The human impact, for example, global warming, greenhouse effect and urban climate is explored

Human Geography themes:

Population Change: looks at the components of population change, its management, and the relationships between population and resources
Migration: looks at migration as a component of population change – both internal and international
Settlement Dynamics: examines settlement hierarchies and the factors that affect them. Urban trends and issues in Lower Income Countries and Higher Income Countries are studied

Methods of assessment: The Cambridge AS Geography course is assessed by two 90-minute external examinations (one for the Physical Geography topics and one for the Human Geography topics). If a student continues with Geography at the Cambridge A2 Form 7 level, then the examinations sat at Cambridge AS Form 6 will contribute 50% of their final A Level mark.

Continuation of subject: Geography offers a Cambridge A2 level course in Form 7, which enables students to complete Cambridge A Levels in this subject.

Form 7 (NCEA Level 3):

Prerequisites: Form 7 NCEA Geography extends upon the ideas and concepts developed in Form 5 and Form 6 NCEA Geography, but can be picked up by students who did not study the Form 5 or Form 6 course. Entry into the course is subject to approval by the Head of Geography, if students do not meet the Recommended Achievement levels outlined below. Students who did not study Geography at Form 6 must be willing to take the time to study the NCEA Geography concepts at the outset of this course.

Recommended achievement levels:

Students averaging over 55% in Form 6 School Geography and/or English examinations have an appropriate achievement level to study Form 7 (NCEA Level 3) Geography.
Students averaging 45- 55% in Form 6 School Geography and/or English examinations may find Form 7 (NCEA Level 3) Geography difficult, especially if they did not take Geography in Forms 5 or 6
Students averaging under 45% in Form 6 School Geography and/or English examinations are not recommended to take Form 7 (NCEA Level 3) Geography

Course description/aims: Geography aims to develop an understanding of the environment as the home of people. In Form 7, this involves studying a particular natural environment within New Zealand, and an aspect of the cultural environment of New Zealand and a global concept. The course also develops a wide range of thinking, practical, valuing and social skills, and has a particular emphasis on the role played by Geography in planning and decision-making.

Course outline:

3.1 – Demonstrate understanding of how interacting processes shape a New Zealand geographic environment [4 Credits, External]
3.2 – Demonstrate understanding of how a cultural process shapes geographic environment(s) [4 Credits, External]
3.4 – Demonstrate understanding of a given environment(s) through the selection and application of geographic concepts and skills [4 Credits, External]
3.5 – Conduct geographic research with consultation [5 Credits, Internal]
3.6 – Analyse aspects of a contemporary geographic issue [3 Credits, Internal]
3.7 – Analyse aspects of a geographic topic at a global scale [3 Credits, Internal]

Special equipment/costs: Students are required to provide their own Geography equipment. Students may be required to contribute to any field trip bus costs.

Continuation of subject: Geography is taught in both Arts and Science Faculties at Auckland University, as part of the School of Environment. Geography is also a valuable conjoint subject with Law, Commerce, Planning, or Valuation Degrees.

Form 7 (A2):

Prerequisites: Form 7 Cambridge A2 Geography builds upon the ideas and concepts developed in the Form 6 Cambridge AS course.

Students who gain an A to a good D grade in Cambridge AS Geography will be admitted to this course
Students who gain a low D grade in Cambridge AS Geography must consult with the HOD Geography to enter this course
Students who gain an E grade or ungraded result in Cambridge AS Geography will not be able to enter this course

Course description/aims: The Cambridge A2 Geography curriculum is designed to develop an understanding of both the natural and human environments. Students are required to select two options from the Physical Geography section and two from the Human Geography section.

Physical Geography options:

Tropical Environments: climates, ecosystems, landforms, sustainable management
Coastal Environments: wave and marine processes, coastal landforms, coral reefs, sustainable management
Hazardous Environments: crustal movements, mass movements, atmospheric disturbance, sustainable management
Arid and Semi-Arid Environments: distribution and characteristics, processes producing desert landforms, soils and vegetation, sustainable management

Human Geography options:

Production, Location and Change: agricultural systems and food production, management of agricultural change, manufacturing and related service industry, management of industrial change
Environmental Management sustainable energy supplies, management of energy supplies, environmental degradation, management
Economic Transition: national development, globalisation, regional development, management
Global Interdependence: international trade; international tourism

Methods of assessment: Students sit two examination papers totalling three hours – one paper covering Physical Geography and one covering Human Geography. These examinations make up 50% of the Cambridge A Level Geography qualification, the other 50% coming from the Cambridge AS Level examination sat in Form 6.

Special equipment/costs: Students are required to provide their own Geography equipment. Students may be required to contribute to any field trip bus costs.

Continuation of subject: Geography is taught in both Arts and Science Faculties at Auckland University, and as part of the School of Environment. Geography is also a valuable conjoint subject with Law, Commerce, Planning or Valuation Degrees.

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Geography

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