WESLEY COLLEGE DUBLIN
Geography
Introduction
Leaving Certificate Geography is a varied and interesting course of study that introduces and develops students understanding of a broad range of concepts in geography. The course builds on student learning in Junior Cycle. There is a strong emphasis on physical, regional, and economic geography. The syllabus is divided into units. All students study the Core Units 1-3 and Elective Unit 4. Higher level students take a Higher Level Option.
Core Unit 1 Patterns and Processes in the physical environment
This unit examines the relationship between the tectonic cycle, the rock cycle and the processes of landform development
Core Unit 2 Regional Geography
This unit examines how economic, human and physical processes interact in regional settings
Core Unit 3 Geographical Investigation and Skills
This unit encourages the development of skills in handling spatial information leading to the completion of an individual geographical investigation
The teaching and application of skills is integrated into each of the units where appropriate
• Map and aerial photograph interpretation
• Satellite imagery
• Figure interpretation
• Census of population data
• Weather maps and data
The Geographical Investigation (GI) is a report based on a field study or other structured inquiry depending on the topics issued by the State Examinations Commission each December. The GI represents 20% of the Leaving Certificate grade and is competed usually towards the end of April in 6th year.
Elective Unit 4 Patterns and Processes in the Economic Environment
This unit examines patterns in economic development and the growth of a single interdependent global economy
H.L. Optional Unit 6 Global Interdependence
This unit examines the interdependent nature of global economic, social and political processes and challenges the differing views of development
Assessment
Geographical Investigation 20%
Written Exam 80%
5th Year
Core Unit 1 of the NCCA Leaving Certificate Geography
Aspects of Core Unit 2 Regional Geography
|
Term 1 |
|
Term 2 & 3 | ||
|
Topic |
Skills |
Topic | Skills | |
|
The Physical environment |
Rivers | OS maps | ||
|
Internal Structure of the earth |
Human interaction with river processes | Investigation of case studies | ||
|
Plate Tectonics |
World map locations |
River rejuvenation | ||
|
Continental Drift |
Globe |
Coasts | Drawing diagrams | |
| Seafloor spreading | Human interaction with coastal processes | Photo interpretation | ||
| Plate boundaries | Drawing diagrams | Isostatic and eustatic processes | ||
| Earthquakes | Weather charts + satellite images | Analysis | ||
| Distribution, measurement, prediction, effects | Statistics | Regional Geography | ||
| Case studies | Internet research | Regions: climatic & geomorphic | Statistics Climate graphs. | |
| Volcanic activity | Satellite photos | Regions: administrative + cultural | Atlas maps | |
| Volcanoes: occurrence, products, prediction | Atlas maps | Boundary changes | ||
| Positive + negative effects of volcanic activity | Internet research | Socio-economic regions: cores + peripheries | Statistical maps | |
| Geothermal energy | Socio-economic regions: industrial decline | Graphs | ||
| Volcanic + plutonic landforms | Aerial photos | Sambre-Meuse valley, Belgium | ||
| Landforms created by earth movements | EU funding for socio-economic regions | |||
| Classification of Rocks | Rock identification | Border Midlands West - an Irish peripheral region | Statistics | |
| Uses of Rocks | Geological map | Greater Dublin Area - an Irish core region inc. Dublin City | ||
| Mining/Quarrying | Photo Interpretation | Mezzogiorno, Italy - a peripheral region | ||
| OS Maps | Cross Section. Sketch map | Paris Basin, France - a core and city region | Drawing sketch maps | |
| Weathering | Drawing diagrams | Growth and impact of the EU | Atlas maps. Statistics | |
| Karst | OS maps | |||
| Mass movement | ||||
| Glaciation |
Photo interpretation |
|
|
|
6th Year
Elective Unit 4 Economic activities
Optional Unit 6 – Global Interdependence (Higher Level)
Geographical Investigation (20 per cent of the final examination)
| Term 1 | Term 2 & 3 | |||
| Topic | Skills | Topic | Skills | |
| Geographical Investigation | Decision making Group work. Using equipment Sketching | Global Interdependence | ||
| Continental/Sub-Continental Region - India |
Research, Atlas + sketch maps Essay submission date TBD |
The pattern of world trade, Fair Trade and EU trade | Statistical maps | |
| Economic Activities | Interdependent global economy | Internet research | ||
| Measuring economic development | GDP/GNP/GNI vs HDI Statistics | Deforestation, global warming & desertification | Satellite photos. Statistics | |
| Views of development (from Global Interdependence) | Mock Exam Review | |||
| Changes in economic activity. Colonialism | Cartoons. Statistics | Sustainable development | Statistics | |
| Globalisation | Debt, aid and empowerment | Internet research | ||
| Multinational companies | Internet research | Fair trade and self-help | Atlas maps. DVD | |
| OS maps and photographs | Interpretation & sketch maps | Geographical investigation | Completion of Final Report booklet. Analysis. Graphs. | |
| EU policies and their influence on Ireland | Internet research | Migrants and human rights | ||
| Renewable and non-renewable energy resources | DVD | Revision | Past paper questions | |
| Economic activities and the environment | Statistical analysis | |||
Useful Links
https://www.curriculumonline.ie/Senior-cycle/Senior-Cycle-Subjects/Geography/