Albany Senior High School/Coursebook/3GEO

What is this course about?
Geography is the study of the environment as the home of people and seeks to interpret the world and how it changes over time. Relationships and connections betwen people and their natural and cultural environments are explored. Environments such as the Omaha and local coastal environments or the Tongariro National Park are used in a study of interacting natural processes that have shaped and changed these areas. Alternately a trip to Waitomo is part of a case study focusing on the cultural processes involved in tourism development. The cultural processes topic also studies tourism development in Bali. Research and geographic skills are developed in studies involving a contemporary geographic issue, the Milford / Queenstown connection issue. A global scale topic may involve a study of conflict / blood diamonds or global tourisn trend. The Rhythm and Vines concert or Pasifica Festival are examplesof events that are used to analyse a significant contemporary event from a geographic perspective. Watch the following video to get an idea of"What is Geography" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pbgai3dK16Q&amp;feature=related. The following link highlights the uniqueness of the earth. "HOME" shot in 54 countries and 120 locations over 217 days, an environmentally conscious documentary presenting the many wonders of planet Earth from an entirely aerial perspective. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqxENMKaeCU&amp;feature=player_embedded

What will I learn?
A study of a volcanic or coastal environments, Tongariro National Park or Omaha and local beaches is conducted to establish the characteristics and features of the areas. The natural processes that operate in these areas and the impacts of human actions in them are considered. Alternately the Waitomo Caves Village and Bali are used as case studies in the analysis of tourism developent as an example of cultural processes. The focus of this topic is on the operation, variation and changes that have occurred in the tourism development of these regions. The effects of the cultural process on the environment and its people is also studied. A choice is made between a study of natural or cultural processes and will involve a day trip to Omaha, a short trip to Tongaririo or an overnight trip to Waitomo. You will also learn how to conduct geographic research. A study of a contemporary geographic issue is aimed at identifing the geographic nature of the issue, the various viewpoints held by stakeholder and evaluation of a range of courses of action leading to a justified recommendation. The global study involves a topic or theme across regions or nations which have worldwide significance.

What sorts of things will I do?
You will:


 * go on a fieldtrip to Omaha beach to study coastal processses. OR
 * go on a fieldtrip to National Park OR
 * visit Waitomo to experience the thrills of being a tourist and study tourism development.
 * plan and reseach a topic. collect, process and present your findings.
 * use maps and images of your study areas.
 * develop your spreadsheets and powerpoint skills to present your research.
 * study contemporary issues.
 * study a global issue

What standards can I enter?
{| width="1002" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" class="prettytable"

Summary of Achievement Standards
UE Literacy
 * align="center" rowspan="2" | NCEA Level
 * align="center" rowspan="2" | Standard Number
 * rowspan="2" | Name of standard 
 * align="center" rowspan="2" | Domain
 * align="center" rowspan="2" | Version Number
 * align="center" rowspan="2" | Credits
 * align="center" rowspan="2" | Assessment
 * align="center" rowspan="2" | Assessment Dates 
 * align="center" colspan="2" |
 * align="center" colspan="2" |

TWO external standards and THREE internal standards will be offered
 * align="center" | Reading
 * Writing
 * align="center" | 3
 * align="center" | AS 91426 (3.1)
 * Demonstrate understanding of how interacting natural processes shape a New Zealand geographic environment
 * align="center" | Geography
 * align="center" | 1
 * align="center" | 4
 * align="center" | External
 * align="center" | External Monday 24 Nov
 * align="center" | Yes
 * align="center" | Yes
 * align="center" | 3
 * align="center" | AS 91429 (3.4)
 * Demonstrate understanding of a given environment(s) through the selection and application of geographic concepts and skills
 * align="center" | Geography
 * align="center" | 1
 * align="center" | 4
 * align="center" | External
 * align="center" | External Monday 24 Nov
 * align="center" | Yes
 * align="center" | Yes
 * align="center" | 3
 * align="center" | AS 91432 (3.7)
 * Analyse aspects of a geographic topic at a global scale.
 * align="center" | Geography
 * align="center" | 1
 * align="center" | 3
 * align="center" | Internal
 * align="center" | Term 1 Week 9 3 April
 * align="center" | No
 * align="center" | No
 * align="center" | 3
 * align="center" | AS 91430 (3.5)
 * Conduct geographic research with consultation
 * align="center" | Geography
 * align="center" | 1
 * align="center" | 5
 * align="center" | Internal
 * align="center" | Term 2 Week 6 12 June
 * align="center" | No
 * align="center" | No
 * align="center" | 3
 * align="center" | AS 91431 (3.6)
 * Analyse aspects of a contemporary geographic issue
 * align="center" | Geography
 * align="center" | 1
 * align="center" | 3
 * align="center" | Intetrnal
 * align="center" | Term 3 Week 6 28 August
 * align="center" | Yes
 * align="center" | No
 * colspan="3" |
 * align="center" | 3
 * align="center" | Intetrnal
 * align="center" | Term 3 Week 6 28 August
 * align="center" | Yes
 * align="center" | No
 * colspan="3" |
 * colspan="3" |

Total credits offered (Internal + External)
 * align="center" colspan="2" valign="middle" |

19 (11+8)
 * align="center" |


 * align="center" |
 * }
 * }

Scholarship opportunities
A group of students will prepare for the Geography Scholarship assessment. This will reqiuire a broader interest in current global geographic issues and build on course material. These require attendance at three scholarship afternoon workshops run by the Auckland Geography Teachers Association (AGTA) in conjunction with the University of Auckland Environmental Sciences Department and tutorials at school during term three.

Frequently asked questions:
Are there any costs for this course?

Class trips will incur a charge for transport, entry fees and accomodation if over night.

Purchase of prescribed write-in workbooks will be required and charged at the nominal retail prices


 * Geography concepts and skills write-in workbook $25 used in preparation for the external assessment - "Demonstrate understanding of a given environment through selection and application of geographic concepts and skills" (AS 91429 (3,4))
 * A two night trip to Tongariro National Park. (Cost to be advised)