GEO301

NCEA Level 3 Geography 301

Course Description

Teacher in Charge: Kōkā E. Stanbridge.

 


Geography 301

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 3 course builds on the skills and concepts learned in Levels 1 and 2, and explores a variety of geographic topics in depth and breadth. At Level 3 we study the contemporary issue of human trafficking from a geographic lens, and the cultural processes which shape and change the local tourism industry of one of Aotearoa's tourist hubs, Rotorua. There is a special interest topic where students learn about global patterns, and the distribution of global phenomena in a topic of choice which is co-constructed with the teacher - for example maritime piracy, or the impact of a pandemic on the natural and cultural world. We learn about Aotearoa's unique and diverse landscape, including its geothermic activity and indigenous Māori culture, which takes us on a multi-day fieldtrip to Rotorua to conduct geographic research. 

Geography is a university approved subject. As a literacy-rich subject, students will graduate with strong writing and research skills in preparation for further tertiary study. 


Course Overview

Term 1
Global Geographic Patterns
Special Interest Topic OR Current Topical Global Issue
Achievement Standard 3.7, internal assessment, 3 credits.

Cultural Geographic Processes
Aotearoa's Attractions: the Development and Influence of Tourism in Rotorua
Achievement Standard 3.2, external assessment, 4 credits.

Term 2
Cultural Geographic Processes
Aotearoa's Attractions: the Development and Influence of Tourism in Rotorua
Achievement Standard 3.2, external assessment, 4 credits.

Geographic Research
Aotearoa's Attractions: the Development and Influence of Tourism in Rotorua
Achievement Standard 3.5, internal assessment, 5 credits.

Multi-day fieldtrip to Rotorua to conduct geographic research.

Term 3
Contemporary Geographic Issue
A choice from contexts that are occurring currently in our world eg Human Trafficking, Coral Reefs
Achievement Standard 3.6, internal assessment, 3 credits.

Geographic Skills
The Language of Geography: Applying Geographic Skills
Achievement Standard 3.4, external assessment, 4 credits.

Term 4
Preparation and revision for external assessments, practice examinations, and study leave.

Recommended Prior Learning

This is a literacy-heavy subject. You should have 12 credits from a Level 2 subject which is literacy-rich (eg. English or History).  Level 1 or 2 Geography is helpful, however, all students will be considered on a case by case basis. 

Contributions and Equipment/Stationery

The Rotorua field trip costs approximately $500-$600 and takes place for five days in Term 2.
There is an optional Skills Workbook which 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.

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.

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. 91427 v2
NZQA Info
Geography 3.2 - Demonstrate understanding of how a cultural process shapes geographic environment(s)
Level: 3
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4r,4w *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91429 v2
NZQA Info
Geography 3.4 - Demonstrate understanding of a given environment(s) through selection and application of geographic concepts and skills
4
4
4
Level: 3
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4r,4w *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91430 v2
NZQA Info
Geography 3.5 - Conduct geographic research with consultation
Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 5
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0 *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91431 v2
NZQA Info
Geography 3.6 - Analyse aspects of a contemporary geographic issue
3
3
3
Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 3
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 3r *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91432 v2
NZQA Info
Geography 3.7 - Analyse aspects of a geographic topic at a global scale
3
3
3
Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 3
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 3r *
Numeracy Credits: 0
Credit Summary
Total Credits: 19
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 14
Total Numeracy Credits: 0

Approved subject for University Entrance

Number of credits that can be used for overall endorsement: 19

Only students engaged in learning and achievement derived from Te Marautanga o Aotearoa are eligible to be awarded these subjects as part of the requirement for 14 credits in each of three subjects.