AS/A Level Geography

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The Eduqas A level Geography specification encourages learners to apply geographical knowledge, theory and skills to the world around them. In turn this will enable learners to develop a critical understanding of the world’s people, places and environments in the 21st century. Learners should be able to develop both knowledge and understanding of contemporary geographical concepts together with transferable skills that will enable learners to progress to higher education and a range of employment opportunities.

The focus of the specification is to develop an enthusiasm for and competence in geography by using contemporary real-world contexts, from a range of specified spatial scales, and through engagement with and practical application of geographical skills and techniques in the field. This course draws on both physical and human geography, explores people-environment interactions and encourages development of fieldwork at the local level to enable learners to pose enquiry questions.

The course covers the required subject content at an appropriate level of rigour and challenge for a GCE A level qualification. The content is organised into the required core and non-core themes. The non-core content is presented as one compulsory theme and a series of optional themes based on contemporary issues in geography. These non-core themes allow for rigour and in-depth treatment and also provide flexibility for teachers to select themes to develop a course of study suited both to their interests and circumstances. The specialised concepts and geographical skills (quantitative and qualitative skills and approaches) as noted below in the aims and objectives are embedded in the core and non-core content. The Eduqas A level in Geography requires learners to:

• develop their knowledge of locations, places, processes and environments, at all geographical scales from local to global across the specification as a whole
• develop an in-depth understanding of the selected core and non-core processes in physical and human geography at a range of temporal and spatial scales, and of the concepts which illuminate their significance in a range of locational contexts
• recognise and be able to analyse the complexity of people-environment interactions at all geographical scales, and appreciate how these underpin understanding of some of the key issues facing the world today.
• develop their understanding of, and ability to apply, the concepts of place, space, scale and environment, that underpin both the national curriculum and GCSE, including developing a more nuanced understanding of these concepts
• gain understanding of specialised concepts relevant to the core and noncore content. These must include the concepts of causality, equilibrium, feedback, identity, inequality, interdependence, globalisation, mitigation and adaptation, representation, risk, resilience, sustainability, systems, and thresholds
• improve their understanding of the ways in which values, attitudes and circumstances have an impact on the relationships between people, place and environment, and develop the knowledge and ability to engage, as citizens, with the questions and issues arising
• become confident and competent in selecting, using and evaluating a range of quantitative and qualitative skills and approaches, (including observing, collecting and analysing geo-located data) and applying them as an integral part of their studies
• understand the fundamental role of fieldwork as a tool to understand and generate new knowledge about the real world, and become skilled at planning, undertaking and evaluating fieldwork in appropriate situations
• apply geographical knowledge, understanding, skills and approaches in a rigorous way to a range of geographical questions and issues, including those identified in fieldwork, recognising both the contributions and limitations of geography
• develop as critical and reflective learners, able to articulate opinions, suggest relevant new ideas and provide evidenced argument in a range of situations.

This specification builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills established at GCSE Geography A or GCSE Geography B

Why choose Eduqas?

• Direct access to our subject specialists who are on hand to give guidance and advice, with no call centres.
  
  
• Access to our digital resources website which hosts a wealth of free material developed for both classroom use and as revision aids.
  
  
• The opportunity to receive centre visits from our Regional Support Team. Our representatives will visit your centre and offer face-to-face support and guidance on our specifications.