Geography
GEOGRAPHY: 2008 Syllabus
AQA A level Geography – A new Specification
What Will I Learn?
From September 2008 the Geography A Level is changing. Pupils will now study only four units instead of six, and will sit only four exams instead of six, which removes the burden of constant assessment. Instead, the course will encourage you to develop critical thinking skills, critical questioning skills (especially of key concepts), independent learning skills, rather than ‘fact and recall via lots of case studies’.
You have choice in AS and A2. In A2 you can choose a heavily biased human course or a more physical course. You will study contemporary issues that are relevant to you today and for your future.
The key changes for the new syllabus are:
- A reduction in units studied; six to four over the two years (two units AS and two units A2)
- The course will be explored via theory and critical questioning of key concepts Vs ‘facts and case study recall’; the specification encourages you to develop critical thinking skills which is essential for study beyond A Level
- You will study contemporary geographical issues e.g. Contemporary conflicts and challenges, Energy Issues which are relevant today and for your future
- Choice – you will study core sections and will have flexibility in most key areas; currently there is zero choice
What Are The Entry Requirements?
4 GCSE grades and above, two of which should be Maths and English.
Although it has obvious advantages, it is not a requirement that you should have studied Geography at GCSE level in order to take part in the AS and/or Advanced (A2) Level course. Providing Sixth Form requirements are met, many pupils from a variety of academic backgrounds find the A Level Geography course both rewarding and valuable.
How Will I Be Assessed?
Is There Anything Else I need To Know?
This course will enable you to develop a range of key skills which will be essential for whatever post-18 opportunities you pursue. The key skills you will be able to develop during this course are:
- Critical thinking and critical questioning skills
- Informed decision making skills
- Data analyses and evaluation skills
- Information Technology
- Problem solving and lateral thinking skills
- Teamwork and leadership
- Independent learning and research skills
- Effective communication skills (written and verbal)
For further information visit: http://www.aqa.org.uk/qual/gce/geography_new.php. This website has the details of the 2008 specification and examples of exam papers with mark schemes.
For any further assistance or queries please ask Mr Florence, Head of Geography
Future Opportunities?
All good universities and post-18 institutions look upon geography as a subject that links the Arts and Sciences; as such it opens up a wide range of higher education and career opportunities; it does not force you to make an early commitment.
Geography invariably counts as a ‘second science’ and/or a ‘second arts’ subject for most courses at good universities.
Geography combines well with almost all other AS and A2 Level subjects. Taken with sciences like mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology, geography supports applications for almost any science-based university course like engineering, psychology, environmental sciences and geology; taken with humanities like English, French, history or economics, geography supports an equally wide range of university courses such as business, law, media, politics and philosophy.
“Geography graduates are highly employable”.
Times Educational Supplement
