GCSE Short CoursesGeography A - 1086

Notice

New GCSEs (for first teaching in 2009)

Draft specifications and specimen assessment materials for the new GCSE Short Courses (for first teaching in 2009) are now available. For more information. please view the full list of new GCSE Short Course qualifications.

Please note: If your centre currently delivers the Geography A Short Course specification, take a look at our revised Geography Short Course. This course comprise two units from our new Geography B specification.

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Specification

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Specimen assessment material

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Overview

This course is designed to raise a series of issues and promote awareness and understanding of these issues as they involve people and places. The course advovates a concern for the environment and an awareness of the need to develop sustainability.

The examination is offered at Foundation Tier (accessing grades C to G) and Higher Tier (grades A* to D). Students who are awarded grade C or above, may study for an Advanced level qualification.

Specification aims

The aims of this specification are to:

  • Stimulate pupils' interest in geography, to develop a sense of place and an appreciation of the environment, and to help them to act in an informed and responsible way.
  • Acquire knowledge and understanding of a range of places, environments and geographical patterns at a range of scales from local to global and acquire an understanding of the physical and human processes, including decision making, which affect their development.
  • Understand the significance and effects of decision making about places and environments.
  • 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.
  • Develop an understanding of global citizenship and the ways in which places and environments are interdependent.
  • 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.
  • Acquire and apply the skills and techniques, including those of mapwork, fieldwork and Information and Communication Technology (ICT), needed to conduct geographical enquiry.