Geography Level 1
Course Description
Level 1 Geography
The theme of Year 11 Geography is ‘Environmental Challenges.’ The Earth is undergoing significant change due to global warming, an increase in extreme natural events, and the rapid growth of urban areas. In this course you will be able to explore natural processes, cultural processes and te taiao/environmental challenges in local, New Zealand, Pacific, and global settings. By looking at things from different perspectives, we will develop a holistic understanding which will inform us about how to best respond to changes and meet the challenges that our Earth faces.
Topics
NATURAL PROCESSES AND TE TAIAO/THE ENVIRONMENT
Learn what natural processes have shaped our environment. We will focus on earthquakes, a natural disaster that has shaped the environment, and the distribution of earthquakes as a spatial phenomena. A field trip to Christchurch and Quake City will take place in this part of the course. There will be an assessment on earthquakes and their impact on people and the environment.
CULTURAL PROCESSES AND TE TAIAO/THE ENVIRONMENT
Learn what cultural processes have shaped the relationships between the environment and the location of communities. Explore the relationship that tangata whenua have with significant places. There will be a focus on the use of the public spaces at Caroline Bay and how they have changed over time for an assessment. This will include a field trip to Caroline Bay to gather data.
GEOGRAPHIC CHALLENGES
Explore the impacts of people within te taiao and the consequences of these impacts. See how power can shape decision making for the environment in Aotearoa and the Pacific, and recognise that diverse perspectives influence decision making. Contexts could include sea-level rise, climate change, sustainable seas, flooding, mining, or the impact of tourism. There will be an external exam on this at the end of the year.
Field work/research is an important part of Geography. This course will include a local field trip to study Caroline Bay as a local public space, as well as a trip to Christchurch to study earthquakes.
Geography uses several forms of technology. In this course you will develop skills in GIS (Geographic Information Systems) - a mapping technology which is useful when investigating the location of natural phenomena such as disasters.
Course Summary:
- Natural processes e.g. tectonic, glacial, fluvial, coastal
- Natural disasters e.g. earthquakes
- Cultural processes e.g world population, urbanisation, the use of public spaces
- Field trips (local and Christchurch)
- GIS (Geographic Information Systems)
- Geographic challenges e.g sustainable seas, climate change, sea level rise.
- Geography games e.g. Geoguesrr
For further information see: Miss Fisher
Pathway
Learning Pathway
Geography offers you the opportunity to learn and develop a range of skills and knowledge which you can then apply in your everyday life. Beyond school, Geography can be a pathway to further education and training related to a wide range of sectors (see the Job section below).
Credit Information
You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.
This course is eligible for subject endorsement.
This course is approved for University Entrance.
External
NZQA Info
Geography 1.1 - Demonstrate understanding of the spatial distribution of a phenomenon and its impacts on place
NZQA Info
Geography 1.2 - Explore an environment using data
NZQA Info
Geography 1.4 - Demonstrate understanding of decision-making in response to a geographic challenge in the wider Pacific region
Pathway Tags
Mining Engineer, Survey Technician, Historian, Outdoor Recreation Guide/Instructor, Surveyor, Fishing Skipper, Urban/Regional Planner, Emergency Management Officer, Meteorologist, Miner/Quarry Worker, Mine/Quarry Manager, Driller, Geologist, Environmental Scientist, Environmental Engineer, Ranger, Landscape Architect, Geophysicist, Policy Analyst, Secondary School Teacher, Travel Agent/Adviser, Intelligence Officer, Geospatial Specialist, Career Consultant,