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GeographyHigher(C208 12)

Geography

Course outline

The aim of the Higher Course in Geography is that, by using the concepts and techniques of geographical analysis, candidates should develop a detailed understanding of the aspects of the contemporary world which are of concern to all citizens. The Course content is divided into three separate Units:

DF3C 12 Geography: Physical Environments (H) 1 credit (40 hours)
DF43 12 Geography: Human Environments (H) 1 credit (40 hours)
DF44 12 Geography: Environmental Interactions (H) 1 credit (40 hours)

Opportunities are provided in the Course for candidates to integrate knowledge and understanding, and apply this in less familiar and more complex contexts using skills acquired in the Units.

A range of geographical methods and techniques are included within the two Core Units (Human and Physical). These methods and techniques build on skills developed in earlier Units and Courses. They are listed at the end of the Course outline. The techniques may be taught through actual fieldwork or simulated fieldwork in the classroom. The application of selected methods and techniques to present, analyse and interpret information will be part of the Course and Unit assessment. Opportunities should be provided for candidates to make use of a range of maps, including Ordnance Survey (OS) maps at a variety of scales.

DF3C 12 Geography: Physical Environments (H)

The four sub-sections of the physical core are:

Summary list of geographical methods and techniques

Atmosphere

Hydrosphere

Lithosphere

Biosphere

DF43 12 Geography: Human Environments (H)

The four sub-sections of the human core are:

Summary list of geographical methods and techniques

Population geography

Rural geography

Industrial geography

Urban geography

DF44 12: Geography: Environmental Interactions (H)

In this part of the Course, emphasis is placed on providing candidates with the opportunity to develop aspects of the Physical Environments and Human Environments Units within specified interactions and prescribed areal contexts. The latter have been chosen to ensure study of a range of contexts across the Course. Each interaction is designed to develop aspects of Physical Environments and Human Environments and, in each case, these aspects will be evident in the specification. The opportunity has been taken throughout to emphasise the holistic nature of geography.

The interactions are divided into two groups. Group one draws mainly on physical geography, but each interaction requires linkages to be made with aspects of human geography. In group two, the emphasis is on human geography with linkages to physical geography.

Candidates will be required to study two Interactions, one from each group.

Group one:
Rural land resources
Rural land degradation
River basin management

Group two:
Urban change and its management
European regional inequalities
Development and health

Course assessment

To gain the award of the Course, candidates must pass all three Units which make up the Course as well as being successful in the Course assessment. The candidate's grade is based on the Course assessment.

The Course assessment will consist of two externally set papers.

Paper 1

This paper will assess the Geography: Physical Environments and Geography: Human Environments Units and will contain short response questions. The paper will last 1 hour and 30 minutes and consist of three sections, with a total mark of 100.

Section A will contain four compulsory questions, covering two of the Human Environments and two of the Physical Environments topics. The choice of topics will vary randomly from year to year. The assessment of geographical methods and techniques and the use of an OS map may be found in any of the questions.

Section B will contain two optional questions on the remaining two Physical Environments topics, one of which should be answered by candidates. The assessment of geographical methods and techniques and the use of an OS map may be found in either of the questions.

Section C will contain two optional questions on the remaining two Human Environments topics, one of which should be answered by candidates. The assessment of geographical methods and techniques and the use of an OS map may be found in either of the questions.

Paper 2

This paper will contain mainly extended response questions, one on each of the six Interactions (worth 50 marks each). The paper will last for 1 hour and 15 minutes and consist of two sections, with a total mark of 100.

Candidates will be required to answer two questions.

The Course award will be based on the total score obtained in question papers 1 and 2 (200 marks).

View the arrangements Geography


Subject Information: Geography

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