Geography (11GEON)

Qualification
NCEA – Level 1

Course Outline
Geography is concerned with resolving issues about the environment and sustainable development. It is also an important link between the natural and social sciences. Geography inspires students to think about their own place in the world, their rights and responsibilities to other people and the environment. This course enables students to make informed judgments about a range of contemporary human and environmental issues such as urbanisation, population growth, climate change and environmental quality. To this end a number of skills are developed, including being able to extract relevant information from different sources, present statistical information correctly and effectively and to draw conclusions. As such, it prepares students for life as citizens of the world.

A wide range of topics are studied and these include:
• extreme natural events and their impact on people and the land such as Tropical Cyclone Yasi in Queensland, the Boxing Day tsunami in Asia and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans or the recent Christchurch earthquakes
• issues surrounding world population growth – overcrowding and resource depletion and congestion
• sustainability and issues around resource use in mining in New Zealand and in tourism
• research and manipulation of data.

Field trips are an integral part of Geography. In 2012, students will have an overnight field trip to Waihi and Tauranga. An additional day field trip within the Auckland region will also take place.

Assessment

Recommended Prior Achievement Level
This course is open to all students

Cost
Overnight field trip approximately $200.

Literacy and Numeracy
All of these standards contribute to literacy requirements