Course Content
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‘Geography is the study of places and the relationships between people and their environments. Geographers explore both the physical properties of Earth’s surface and the human societies spread across it. They also examine how human culture interacts with the natural environment and the way that locations and places can have an impact on people. Geography seeks to understand where things are found, why they are there, and how they develop and change over time.’
National Geographic.
Why study Geography?
The Edexcel GCSE B Specification aims to be engaging and relevant to today’s young geographers – a qualification that enables students to explore the world, the challenges it faces and their own place in it, and enable them to prepare to succeed in their chosen pathway.
Course Content
What will I study?
You will study 3 components as follows:
Component 1: Global Geographical Issues
Topic 1: Hazardous Earth
Topic 2: Development dynamics
Topic 3: Challenges of an urbanising world
Component 2: UK Geographical Issues
Topic 4: The UK’s evolving physical landscape
Topic 5: The UK’s evolving human landscape
Topic 6: Geographical investigations including one physical and one human fieldwork investigation.
Component 3: People and Environment Issues – Making Geographical Decisions
Topic 7: People and the biosphere
Topic 8: Forests under threat
Topic 9: Consuming energy resources
How will I study?
Students will be provided with their own textbook which we will use for much of the subject content. This is always supplemented with video clips, and other up to date resources. We will study the content of each topic and then students will put this into practice through end of unit tests and past exam questions.
Students will also undertake two days of fieldwork. They will carry out a physical geography investigation in Swanage and a human geography investigation in Corfe Castle. These days will be provide essential skills and knowledge for the exams.
How will it be assessed?
How will I be assessed?
Component 1: Global Geographical Issues
Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes, 37.5% of the qualification, 94 marks
The exam includes multiple-choice questions, short response questions, calculations and 8-mark extended writing questions
Component 2: UK Geographical Issues
Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes, 37.5% of the qualification, 94 marks.
The exam includes multiple-choice questions, short response questions, calculations and 8-mark extended writing questions.
Component 3: People and Environment Issues – Making Geographical Decisions
Written examination: 1 hour and 15 minutes, 25% of the qualification, 64 marks.
The exam includes multiple-choice questions, short response questions, and open response questions. There will also be a 12-mark extended writing question involving ‘Making a geographical decision’.
Further information:
For more information, including sample assessment materials, visit: http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/geography-b-2016.html