Geography

Geographers explore both the physical properties of Earth's surface and the human societies spread across it. They also examine how human culture interacts with the natural environment, and the way that locations and places can have an impact on people. Geography seeks to understand where things are found, why they are there, and how they develop and change over time.

Staff Members

• Miss K. Dickson PTC
• Mrs J Kerr
• Mrs A. Pearson
• Mrs G. Scott

Tweets by LinlithGeoRocks

S1 Integrated Course

Our S1 integrated course covers the following:

Overcoming Adversity - To what extent do humans adapt to adversity?

From an integrated Social Subjects perspective we examine how humans have adapted to adversity overtime and lessons learned. We explore this through examining 3 key big questions. Why do people live in Hazardous areas? How effectively have we responded to medical crises that we have faced? What is democracy?

Human Journeys - How does migration impact society?

From an integrated Social Subjects perspective, we examine the causes, impacts and solutions that have helped shape human migration through time. We explore this through examining 4 key big questions. Why did Trump want to build a wall? Why do people choose to migrate? What obstacles do migrants face? Does the reality match the dream?

OS Maps/Fieldwork 

The topic covers compass direction, 4/6 figure grid references, relief, mapping symbols, direction and a variety of fieldwork techniques including Environmental quality surveys and questionnaires.  

S2  Geography

We start by exploring the continents of North and South America investigating the differences in landscapes and cultures focusing on the USA and Brazil. We also develop our mapping and numeracy skills through creating different Geographical maps including choropleth maps. In our second topic we examine the continent of Africa focusing on some of the key issues in African countries such as Desertification and Urbanisation. We finish off the year with the topic of Trade and Globalisation where pupils develop their research, presentation and global citizenship skills learning about the trade imbalance in developed and developing futures.

S3 Geography

Geographers in S3 are taken on a tour of some of the big issues facing our planet today. In the 'Development' unit we study world population, with a specific focus on India's growing population and the pressure that this puts India and the rest of the world. In the 'Sustainability' unit students investigate the issues of climate change, plastics, sustainable living. Students have the opportunity to investigate ways to live more sustainably as well as learning about sustainability at the London and Bejing Olympics.

A further focus in S3 in preparing students with many of the skills required for National 4 and 5 Geography including map work, using data to draw conclusions, thinking skills and writing extended answers.

S3 Geography students have the opportunity to visit London as part of their studies, where they tour the London Olympic Park and visit the Siemens 'Crystal' building and learn about creating sustainable cities of the future.

National 4/5

Physical and Human Environments

Rivers and Limestone

You will learn about how these features of our landscape are formed and how the land is used, managed and protected.

Weather Systems

you will learn about the factors that affect the U.K's weather.

Population, Urban & Rural

You will learn about population issues affecting a variety of countries, the factors affecting population distribution. You will also study land use and change in urban and rural areas.

Global Issues

You will do two of the following:

Health

In this unit you will look at the causes, effects and controls of main diseases of the developed and developing world including heart disease, malaria and AIDS.

Climate Change

In this unit you will look at the causes, effects and controls of climate change.

Environmental Hazards

In the final unit you will learn about how earthquakes, volcanoes and hurricanes affect the people that live nearest them.

Assessment

• National 4 - All units are internally assessed on a unit-by-unit basis or by combined assessment. There will also be an assignment involving local fieldwork.
• National 5 - There is an Assignment based on local fieldwork that will be externally assessed by the SQA. There is also a final end of course external SQA exam.

Higher

Physical Environments

Key topics will include Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Lithosphere and Biosphere.

Human Environment

You will study population, rural and urban areas in the context of developed and developing countries.

Global Issues

Looking at key issues of the day from a geographical perspective covering themes including River Basin Management and Development of Health.

Assignment

You will be required to conduct and write-up an independent project with the opportunity for fieldwork.

Assessment

There is an Assignment based on fieldwork/personal research that will be externally assessed by the SQA. There is also an end of course external SQA exam for Higher.

Advanced Higher

The Advanced Higher Georgraphy course further develops learners understanding of our changing world and its human and physical processes in local, national and international and global study contexts. Opportunities for practical activities including fieldwork are essential parts of this Course, so that learners can interact with their environment. Within each area is flexibility to allow personalisation of choice.

Many important transferable skills will be included in the course, many of which are essential at university:

• the ability to carry out independent fieldwork/research.
• the ability to use a range of maps, statistical and fieldwork/research techniques to interpret, explain and analyse geographical phenomena will also be developed.

Trips

The Geography Department offers many opportunities for outside learning. Whether it be finding out about active volcanoes on the top of Vesuvius, learning about sustainable cities from the Crystal in London, or being shown all about geothermal energy in Iceland, there is a trip that offers something for everyone.

Trips that we are running/have run in the past include:

Higher Arran Fieldwork

    

S5/6 Iceland

S3 London

    

    

S2 Sorrento