GEOGRAPHY (PEARSON A)

AS Level Course Outline

"The study of geography is about more than just memorizing places on a map. It's about understanding the complexity of our world, appreciating the diversity of cultures that exists across continents. And in the end, it's about using all that knowledge to help bridge divides and bring people together." Barrack Obama

What will I study in Geography?

In studying geography, you will investigate the links between people and their environment on both local and international scales and connect diverse issues in politics, economics and science to the landscape to give an understanding of how places are shaped.

Your geography course will cover both physical and human environments. It will show how human intervention affects the environment and how people adapt and mitigate the effects on their environment.

You will learn in a wide variety of ways, using maps, GIS skills, data analysis, photos, and videos. You will be encouraged to discuss ideas and frame your own questions using higher level thinking skills and show your grasp of complex issues through report and essay writing. Fieldwork will is an essential part of your A Level course. You will even get to go on a residential trip to Portugal to experience a different environment to the one where you live.

What Careers Can Geography Lead To?

Geography is a broad based subject which provides lots of opportunities. It is an obvious choice for careers in sustainability and green issues, urban regeneration, energy supply and hazard management. For careers in the world of business, an understanding of global economics forms an important part of geography. If you are thinking of a career in law or human rights, then geography gives you the opportunity to consider relevant issues such as migration. If you are working towards a course in medicine or veterinary medicine then geography is a good choice to give you the breadth that universities seek, as you will gain a clear understanding of how the environment affects health and survival of people, animals and ecosystems as well as enhancing your skills of writing essays and extended reports.

Do universities respect Geography AS Level?

Geography is highly valued by universities as an A Level choice. The Russell Group named geography as one of the eight facilitating subjects. The Guardian has also identified geography as the 'must-have A Level'.

GEOGRAPHY (EDX) AS Level Specification

Paper number	Content overview
Paper 1 Written examination: 1 hour and 45 minutes 50% of the qualification 90 marks	Dynamic Landscapes Tectonic Processes and Hazards Coastal Landscapes and Change Fieldwork
Paper 2 Written examination: 1 hour and 45 minutes 50% of the qualification 90 marks	Dynamic Places Globalisation Regenerating Places Fieldwork

Structure of the Course
This course will be taught for 5 x 1hour lessons per week. Homework will be set weekly and deadlines must be adhered to. Fieldwork investigations will take place at weekends or during half terms where possible and students are expected to attend.

Course Textbook
Geography for Edexcel A Level Year 1 and AS Student Book ISBN: 978-0-19-836645-4

Further Reading
A subscription to the Geography Review magazine is recommended as well as reading of class notes, geographical coverage in broadsheet newspapers, the Economist and New Scientist magazines will also help build case studies and wider knowledge.

Introductory Reading
One of the issues studied in unit one is inequality. In the UK there is a broad divide between the North and South in terms of pay as well as other economic and social factors leading to inequality.

Research inequality in your area by using your local government website and the ONS (Office of National Statistics) as well as newspaper articles to answer the question:

‘Is pay the most important factor leading to inequality?’