Geography

HOD: Ms A Barcz

Geography is much more than just knowing the locations of people, places and things. It is a dynamic science that
seeks to find out and explain how places and people influence each other. Geography brings students closer to and
makes them more aware of the world around us. It encourages them to see beyond the accepted norms of their
daily lives and to become objective, independent, analytical and critical thinkers. Geographers ask questions such
as: What is this? Why is it here? How does this impact or change the way people live?


Level 1 Geography 11GEO

Number
Name of standard Literacy/Numeracy Credits
Assessment
AS91007 Demonstrate geographic understanding of environments that have been shaped by extreme natural event(s) L 4 External
AS91008 Demonstrate geographic understanding of population concepts L 4 External
AS91009 Demonstrate geographic understanding of the sustainable use of an environment L 3 Internal
AS91010 Apply concepts and basic geographic skills to demonstrate understanding of a given environment L 4 External
AS91011 Conduct geographic research, with direction L 4 Internal
AS91012 Describe aspects of a contemporary New Zealand geographic issue L
3 Internal
AS91013 Describe aspects of a geographic topic at a global scale L 3 Internal






You will learn to:
• describe the processes involved in earthquakes and the impact that such events have on people
• describe how world populations have changed and continue to do so, as well as the impact this has on the places people live
• describe how humans use natural resources and how this can be done in a sustainable way
• describe a current geographic issue, such as the development of power turbines in the Kaipara Harbour, and evaluate the ways in which it can be managed
• research and present a geographic investigation at a local scale
• apply a range of geographic skills and ideas, such as mapping, photo interpretation and graph construction to different settings

Course cost: $25 for texts and approximately $50 for field work


Level 2 Geography (12GEO)

Number
Name of standard Credits
Assessment
AS2.1 Demonstrate geographic understanding of a large natural environment 4 External
AS2.3 Demonstrate geographic understanding of differences in development 4 External
AS2.4 Apply concepts and geographic skills to demonstrate understanding of a given environment 4 External
AS2.5 Conduct geographic research with guidance 5 Internal
AS2.6 Explain aspects of a contemporary geographic issue 3 Internal
AS2.7 Explain aspects of a geographic topic at a global scale 3 Internal





You will learn to:
• explain how natural landscapes such as the Amazon Rainforest have been formed and the changing way in which humans have used its resources over time
• analyse the ideas behind and the progress of the Millennium Development Goals
• explain the economic, social and political causes of disparities in economic development in a country like Tanzania
• apply a range of geographic skills and ideas, such as mapping, photo interpretation and graph construction to different settings
• conduct and present a geographic investigation based in the Waitakere Ranges
• explain a current geographic issue, such as flooding in Northland, and evaluate the ways in which it can be managed
• explain the global pattern of HIV/AIDS, the process that lead to these patterns and how the issue is significant to different groups of people

Course cost: approximately $25 for texts and $50 for the field trip to the Waitakere Ranges

Due to changes currently being made to level 2 standards by NZQA, there may be some minor changes to this course in 2012.


Level 3 Geography (13GEO)

Number
Name of standard Credits
Assessment
AS90701 Analyse natural processes in the context of a geographic environment 4 External
AS90702 Analyse a cultural process 6 External
AS90703 Explain the contribution of geography to planning and decisionmaking 3 Internal
AS90704 Select and apply skills and ideas in a geographic context 4 External
AS90705 Carry out and present geographic research with consultation 3 Internal
AS90706 Analyse a contemporary geographic issue and evaluate courses of action 3 Internal
AS90707 Analyse a geographic topic at a global scale 3 Internal







You will learn to:
• analyse how processes such as wave erosion and longshore drift operate and interact in coastal environments,
with a focus on Muriwai Beach
• analyse how people try to manage the issue of coastal erosion at Muriwai Beach
• analyse how tourism development and its impacts have changed over time, with a focus on the Gold Coast and Rotorua
• apply a range of geographic skills and ideas, such as mapping, photo interpretation and graph construction to different settings
• conduct and present a geographic investigation on a geographic topic of your choice
• analyse how the planning and decision-making processes work and the important role that geography plays in making them successful

Prerequisites: Students who have studied Geography at level 2 must have gained 14 credits to continue into level 3
Geography. Students can choose level 3 Geography if they have not previously studied Geography. In order to meet entry
criteria they must have gained 14 credits, in English, Classical Studies or History at level 2.
Course cost: $25 for texts and approximately $300 for field work at Muriwai Beach and Rotorua.