Year 13 Geography (Level 3)
Subject Description
Head of Faculty: Mr B. Coutts.
Geography is about the relationship between people and environments. It is about the world around us and how people and places interact. It seeks to interpret the world and how it changes over time – past present and future. It explores the relationships and connections between people and both natural and cultural environments. Geography investigates the ways in which features are arranged on earth’s surface. It describes and explains the patterns and processes that create them. Geography students learn to think spatially and use maps, visual images and new technologies to obtain, present and analyse information.
Topics include:
- Tourism in Rotorua
- This topic looks at the development and operation of tourism in Rotorua. We will undertake a field trip where you will see and experience the tourism industry in this region.
- Coastal processes
- This unit involves the study of local beaches and coastlines. We look at how different coastal features are created and compare west and east coast beaches. This topic may also involve a field trip.
- Geographic research
- We will investigate a natural or cultural environment in this topic through a field trip. Students will come up with their own aim and hypothesis and collect data in order to prove or disprove this.
- Global geographic patterns
- In this unit we look at the global drug trade. This involves studying the geographic patterns of production and distribution and the ways in which people are affected by this illegal activity.
- Contemporary geographic issue
- This unit explores the global issue of human trafficking. We look at the causes of this issue and possible solutions. Students will have to evaluate different courses of action in order to combat this global issue.
The programme of learning will relate to the following Big Ideas that reflect the nature of geography and geographical knowledge;
- Big Idea: Te taiao (the environment) is interconnected with ngā tangata (people) and ngā tangata are interconnected within te taiao
- Big Idea: Te taiao can be shaped by natural processes
- Big Idea: Tikanga informs the relationships between ngā tangata and te taiao
- Big Idea: Perspectives and power influence te taiao
Prerequisites
Open Entry. All students are welcomes in this subject.
Contributions and Equipment/Stationery
There will be costs for field trips. Final costing will be given closer to the time of these trips.
Credit Information
You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.
External
NZQA Info
Geography 3.1 - Demonstrate understanding of how interacting natural processes shape a New Zealand geographic environment
NZQA Info
Geography 3.2 - Demonstrate understanding of how a cultural process shapes geographic environment(s)
NZQA Info
Geography 3.5 - Conduct geographic research with consultation
NZQA Info
Geography 3.6 - Analyse aspects of a contemporary geographic issue
NZQA Info
Geography 3.7 - Analyse aspects of a geographic topic at a global scale
Approved subject for University Entrance
Number of credits that can be used for overall endorsement: 19
Only students engaged in learning and achievement derived from Te Marautanga o Aotearoa are eligible to be awarded these subjects as part of the requirement for 14 credits in each of three subjects.
Possible Careers
Mining Engineer, Survey Technician, Agricultural/Horticultural Scientist, Agricultural/Horticultural Consultant, Zoologist, Building Surveyor, Architect, Property Manager, Building Contractor, Surveyor, Urban/Regional Planner, Science Technician, Meteorologist, Trainer, Quantity Surveyor, Early Childhood Teacher, Geologist, Environmental Scientist, Landscape Architect, Health and Safety Inspector, Geophysicist, Primary School Teacher, Kaiwhakaako Māori, Tertiary Lecturer, Private Teacher/Tutor, Recreation Co-ordinator, Youth Worker, Secondary School Teacher, Geospatial Specialist,