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Geography Department
GCSE >
A Level >
The word 'geography' literally means 'writing about the world.' Geography is all about trying to make sense of the world we see around us. Why are settlements where they are? Why do people do particular jobs? Why does it always rain on me? These are all questions in which Geographers are interested. Geography is a highly-valued, broad-based subject that will give you a range of important skills.
Head of Department, P A Last



GCSE
Content

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 Unit 1 People and the Physical World - covering rivers and coasts.
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 Unit 2 People and Places to Live - covering population and

settlement.
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 Unit 3 People and their Needs - covering the quality of life,

economic activities and energy.
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 Unit 4 People and the Environment - covering local environments

and the global environment.


Aims

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 To stimulate interest in Geography, to develop a sense of place

and an appreciation of the environment, and to help to act in an

informed and responsible way.
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 To acquire knowledge and understanding of a range of places,

environments and geographical patterns at a range of scales from

local to global, as well as an understanding of the physical and

human processes, including decision-making, which affect their

development.
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 To develop awareness of the ways in which people and

environments interact, the importance of sustainable development

in these interactions and to appreciate the opportunities,

challenges and constraints that face people in different places.
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 To appreciate that the study of geography is dynamic, not only

because geographical features, patterns and issues change, but

also because new ideas and methods lead to new interpretations.


Assessment

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 Written Component One: 2 hours (50%)

This assesses knowledge and understanding. It contains 8

questions, 2 from each unit of the specification content and

candidates answer one question from each unit.
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 Written Component Two: 1 hour (25%)

This assesses the understanding and skills, including the

interpretation of maps, photographs, satellite images etc.
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 Course Component: (25%)

A fieldwork investigation, 2,500-3,000 words long, must be

conducted involving the consideration of an argument, a problem or

an assertion. The investigation is carried out on an individual basis

but the teacher will provide guidance.

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A Level
The great breadth of Geography as an academic subject is one of its real strengths and has made it an effective bridge between the Sciences and Humanities. The study of Geography in the Sixth Form has changed considerably over the years. A more rigorous, imaginative and theoretical syllabus has emerged through which you can gain a greater and more relevant understanding of the landscape and man's occupation of it. The study of many contemporary issues and the development of a sense of environmental responsibility combine to make Geography one of the most relevant subjects for young people today.
GCSE grades of A*/A or B are normally the expected requirement for admission to the A-Level course. Studying Geography at A-Level will not only improve your understanding of the world in which you live, it will also enable you to develop important skills, including literacy, numeracy and ICT skills, that will stand you in good stead in any academic or working environment.
Fieldwork is regarded as an integral part of the A-Level course. It is expected that all Sixth Formers will attend the residential field course organised by Stowe's Geography Department. The cost of this course is approximately £160, after subsidy by the school, although costs may vary slightly from year to year. It should be noted that the field course generally runs one day into the October half-term. The local area also provides ideal opportunities to practise fieldwork techniques and gather first hand data to test various Geographical theories.
Students are expected to subscribe to a Geographical Journal, written especially for A-Level students and designed to support studies and broaden interest in the subject as a whole. This is further encouraged through the School's Geographical Society. A large number of our students continue to study Geography at a higher level, in a wide range of courses and subject combinations. Geography graduates follow a wide variety of careers in the Services, Banking, Commerce, National and Local Government, and in particular in the fields of Town and Country Planning and Administration. Recently Geographers have been prominent in the organisation of environmental conservation measures and the provision and control of recreational facilities in areas of outstanding beauty.
With effect from September 2008, the A-Level structure is changing to a four module pattern. At the time of writing, no decision has yet been made about which of the four possible new specifications the Department will follow from 2008. However, all of the new specifications have the following elements in common:
Students will study a balanced programme comprising 50% physical and 50% human geography.

The physical topics are likely to include topics from the following:
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 Rivers and hydrology
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 Coasts
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 Plate tectonics
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 Biogeography
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 Atmosphere
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 Global hazards

 
The human topics are likely to include:
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 Population
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 Settlement
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 Resource management
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 Economic activity
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 Globalisation and its impact

There will also be content that is based upon a sound understanding of the skills of data collection, presentation and analysis.
Whichever specification we choose to follow, all AS and A2 students are guaranteed a busy and interesting two years as they get to grips with one of the most popular subjects here at Stowe; a subject that opens many doors both at university level and when Stoics start to look for jobs.

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