Albany Senior High School/Coursebook/1GEO

What is this course about?
This course would appeal to students interested in a study of the environment as the home of people, an interpretation of the world and how it changes over time. It explores relationships and connections between people and both the natural and cultural environments. Geography investigates the ways in which features (things) are arranged on the earth's surface. It describes and explains the pattern and processes that create the earth's features. Follow this link to watch a video "Why should I be interested in geography" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUr3s_zfWn8 or "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&feature=player_embedded

Why Study Geography? "Study geography because it provides a window into the complexity of our world, and it is only by thinking through complexity that we can successfully act to shape the world that is our home." Geography New Zealand http://www.nzgs.co.nz/why-study-geography. This palnet is our home and we owe it to ourselves to know more about it.

Careers and Skills in Geography http://www.nzgs.co.nz/careers-and-skills-in-geography. Geographers may specialise in the natural environment processes and change, demographic and cultural issues while others may specialise in using spatial analysis and geographic information science to solve research and planning problems. The following website provides more information on tertiary studies in geography. http://www.env.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/home/about/our-department/subjects/geography#s3c1

What will I learn?
Key ideas and geographic concepts are introduces through a study of film setting such as Slumdog Millionaire, Blood Diamonds or Hotel Rwanda. You will learn about extreme natural events such as the Christchurch and Haiti earthquakes, the Japanese and Boxing Day tsunamis, similar recent catastrophic events or events as they evolve. Who knows what nature will offer us? The processes that cause such events are studied on a global scale to establish patterns and the significance of the extreme natural events to people.

Topics that relate to the development of eco-tourism and the sustainable use of resources at a tourism destination such as the Maldives, the global distribution and spread of a fast food chain, social networking as a contemporary New Zealand geographic issue are studied.

Spatial analysis tools such as Google Earth, gps and geographic information systems may be used to solve a geographic problem involving the best location of a facility such as a neighbourhood skate park or comparative or complementary locations of urban/rural functions and services such as medical services, banks, dairies and malls. The development of geographic skills will be used for research, map reading skills and to demonstrate an understanding of a geographic environment. Where possible you will be encouraged to use modern technology such as your smart phone to establish your location and collect information about your surrounding environment.

You will be required to think about the world we live in, express knowledge, manage yourself, interact with others and contribute to the learning community. You will gain knowledge, skills and experience to understand how people interact with natural and cultural environments and that this interaction has consequences.

What sorts of things will I do?
You will:


 * learn about the world around you.
 * learn about things that that are happening in the world.
 * learn what causes global event(s).
 * learn about different people in the world.
 * learn about issues that affect you.
 * go on field-trips and do primary data collection.
 * use technology in your geographic surveys and research.
 * do things in detail rather than quickly rushing through them.
 * exploring geographic topics that are current and of interest to students.

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

Class trips will incur a charge for transport and entry fees.

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


 * Skills write-in workook $20.