SOCIAL STUDIES
COURSE: Geography Introductory Statement The study of Geography gives young people the opportunity to discover aspects of the physical and human environments of our world and explore global issues.
Aims & Objectives The purpose of the course is to develop the learner’ s understanding of our changing world and its human and physical processes. Opportunities for practical activities, including outdoor learning, will be encouraged, so that learners can interact with their environment.
Course Content
In Geography three units of work will be covered: 1. Physical Environments( Scotland and the UK) – location and formation of glaciated, limestone, coastal and river landscape features, their management and sustainability. 2. Human Environments- learners will study and compare developed and developing countries drawn from a global context. Key topics will include: contrasts in development; world population distribution and change; and issues in changing urban and rural landscapes. 3. Global Issues- climate change and sustainability, environmental hazards, trading patterns, globalisation and improving health and development worldwide.
Skills Developed
We aim to
• use a range of mapping and research skills, including numerical and graphical information
• develop knowledge and understanding of the physical environment of Scotland and the United Kingdom,
• raise awareness of issues of the human environment in a global context
• enable learners to acquire breadth and depth in their knowledge and understanding of global issues.
• to encourage learners to draw conclusions on the basis of evidence thinking independently.
Assessment Pupil work will be continually assessed in a variety of ways and feedback on progress will be shared throughout S3 and S4. Continuous assessment of classwork and unit test scores will be used by Teachers to ensure pupils are embarking upon the correct level as they enter the Senior Phase in S4. At the end of S4, pupils will be involved in formal SQA assessments which may involve exams, project work, or a combination of both, depending upon the subject and level of study.
Progression Routes Pupils will progress from Third and Fourth Level outcomes into Access 3, National 4, or National 5 depending upon progress made throughout S3. They will then be formally presented at this level at the end of S4. Pupils may return to school into S5 and S6 where they can progress to Higher and Advanced Higher qualifications.
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