3a/3b - Churchlands Senior High School

RationaleGeography is a field of inquiry that brings together the human and physical dimensions of the world inthe study of people, places and environments. This includes the study of interrelationships betweennatural and human environments and the spatial patterns that result from and account for theseprocesses over time.The rapidly changing nature of our world and the complexity of interrelationships between people andplaces demand solutions that reflect public decision making and the need to balance the competingdemands, views and values of the various stakeholders. In the curse, a wide range of issues areexplored such as energy-efficient planning, natural disasters, water management, biodiversity, urbanliving, and changing agricultural practices. These issues and their implications are examined at local,regional and international levels with a view to making sense of the present and evaluating futuresolutions. In assessing solutions that take into account economic, social and environmentalconsiderations, students develop an understanding of how a balanced, sustainable future can beachieved.Students develop a range of skills that help them to understand the physical world, interpret the past,scrutinise the present and explore sustainable strategies for the future care of places. They are able tounderstand recent and future developments, such as urban planning, climate change, environments atrisk, sustainable development practices and the unequal distribution of resources throughout the world.These understandings and skills are transferable and applicable to the world of work and everyday lifeand offer a framework for a systematic understanding of our environment and society, both now and inthe future. The understandings, skills, knowledge and values developed in the course will ensurestudents are well placed to enrol in post-school studies at tertiary levels and employment in theworkforce. They are significant to careers associated with tourism, town planning, primary industriessuch as mining, land evaluation, environmental planning, teaching, overseas aid programs, foreignaffairs, trade and the spatial science industries.Course unitsUnit 3A GEOThe focus of this unit is the geography of planning cities. Challenges exist in designing cities to be moreproductive, vibrant and sustainable. Urban planning involves a range of stakeholders that contribute todecision-making and the planning process. The present and future needs of society are addressed bythe allocation and reallocation of land uses, improving infrastructure and transport systems andenhancing amenities to meet the different perspectives of stakeholders. Students will examineconcepts, processes and roles of planning by comparing Perth with a selected megacity.Unit 3B GEOThe focus of this unit is the geography of climate change over geological time. This global phenomenonpossesses the capacity to affect significant areas of the planet. Climate change, including thegreenhouse effect, is created by both natural and human processes that have local and globalconsequences. The human response to climate change is affected by social, economic and politicalconsiderations, and resource access and distribution. Students will investigate policies and strategiesdesigned to guide future action used to address the effects of the climate change.AssessmentThere are between 4 to 6 assessment tasks per unit studied.Types of assessmentGeographical inquiry: is a process where students plan and conduct investigations, process andtranslate information and communicate findings.Fieldwork/Practical: students actively engage in collecting primary data and interpretation of data from anumber of sources. These can include field observations, maps, photographs, tables, graphs andstatistics.Short and extended responses: students answer questions that demonstrate ability to understand thekey concepts in the geography course. These are usually completed in class.Examination: a major assessment held at the completion of a unit.Course Costs: There will be a compulsory excursion for 3A and students should allow between$30-$40.The fieldwork for 3B may be completed as a virtual field activity.38