GEO201

NCEA Level 2 Geography 201

Course Description

Teacher in Charge: Kōkā E. Stanbridge.

 


Geography 201

Geography is a living and breathing subject, constantly adapting itself to change, it is dynamic and relevant” - Michael Palin.

Geography is the study of places and the relationships between people and their environments. Geographers explore both the physical properties of Earth's surface and the human societies spread across it. It is about understanding the processes of the world around us, to help us make sense of our ever-changing natural and cultural environments. There are practical fieldwork and skills components to the subject.


This Level 2 course builds on the skills and concepts learned in Level 1. At Level 2 we study the geographic nature of crime in the Wellington region, the global patterns of disease and epidemics influenced by geographic location and socio-economic factors, and socio-geographic issues such as the ethics of pest control in New Zealand. We learn about New Zealand's unique landscape due to its geographic location in a tectonically active area, which includes taking a multi-day field trip to the Tongariro Volcanic Zone to conduct research and understand the alpine environment. Geography is a university approved subject.


Course Overview

Term 1
Conducting Geographic Research
Fire and Ice, the Tongariro Volcanic Zone: Natural & Cultural Processes Research
Achievement Standard 2.5, internal assessment, 5 credits.

A non-compulsary Multi-Day Fieldtrip to Tongariro is offered to students (includes content for two standards, 2.5 and 2.1).

Term 2
Global Geographic Patterns
Geography, Disease and Epidemiology: the Spatial Distribution and Impact of Malaria Around the World
Achievement Standard 2.7, internal assessment, 3 credits.

Term 3
Contemporary Geography Issue
Ethical Geography: Animal Rights and Pest Control, the Use of 1080 in Aotearoa
Achievement Standard 2.6, internal assessment, 3 credits.

Term 4
Natural Processes
Fire and Ice, the Tongariro Volcanic Zone: Natural Processes in the Environment
Achievement Standard 2.1, external assessment, 4 credits.

Geographic Skills
The Language of Geography: Applying Geographic Skills
Achievement Standard 2.4, external assessment, 4 credits.

Preparation and revision for external assessments, practice examinations, and study leave.

Recommended Prior Learning

Level 1 Literacy and Numeracy. An interest in understanding the interaction between people and the environment. Whilst the skills obtained at Year 11 are helpful, this is not a compulsory pre-requisite.

Contributions and Equipment/Stationery

The Tongariro National Park trip costs approximately $300 and takes place over three days, in Term 2.
The Skills Workbook costs approximately $30. A ruler and colouring pencils are recommended alongside stationery outlined in the published stationery list.

Pathway

Geography graduates work in a wide range of roles that have a focus on the environment or society using skills such as planning and research. Students with a focus on human geography may work as community liaison officers, volunteer coordinators, development officers, refugee support coordinators, advocates, immigration advisers, logistics coordinators, data or statistical analysts, emergency management officers or programme coordinators.

Physical geography students may work in these areas as well as in more scientific, technical or analytical roles such as environmental specialists, cartographers, supply chain analysts, compliance officers, land advisers, resource consent planners, transport analysts, urban planners or modelling or statistical analysts.

Career Pathways

Assessment Information

Students co-construct the assessment programme with the teacher, selecting a course of different internal and external assessment options according to their interests.

Geography offers up to 11 internal credits, and 8 external credits. The assessment topics are varied, ensuring the course is interesting.

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.

Total Credits Available: 19 credits.
Externally Assessed Credits: 8 credits.
Internally Assessed Credits: 11 credits.

Assessment
Description
Level
Internal or
External
Credits
L1 Literacy Credits
UE Literacy Credits
Numeracy Credits
A.S. 91240 v2
NZQA Info
Geography 2.1 - Demonstrate geographic understanding of a large natural environment
Level: 2
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4r
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91243 v2
NZQA Info
Geography 2.4 - Apply geography concepts and skills to demonstrate understanding of a given environment
4
4
4
Level: 2
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91244 v3
NZQA Info
Geography 2.5 - Conduct geographic research with guidance
Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 5
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91245 v3
NZQA Info
Geography 2.6 - Explain aspects of a contemporary New Zealand geographic issue
3
3
3
Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 3
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91246 v3
NZQA Info
Geography 2.7 - Explain aspects of a geographic topic at a global scale
Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 3
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
Credit Summary
Total Credits: 19
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4
Total Numeracy Credits: 0