Geography Department

JUNIOR CYCLE

• Core Subject
• Syllabus Content

-Skills
-Information
-Problem Solving
-Field Studies

Junior Certificate Course

   a. Earth - Structure - plate tectonics, etc. 
   b. Shaping the crust - Rivers, Ice, etc. 
   c. Weather, climate, natural regions 
   d. Maps, photographs 
   e. Population Distribution, Diversity and Change 
   f.  Settlement 
   g. Urbanisation 
   h. Economic Activities 
   i.  Economic Equality - National and International 
   j.  Field Study

• Assessment
  - Terminal Examination after 3 years

 

SENIOR CYCLE

• Optional Subject

-Leaving Certificate
-I.B.

• Leaving Certificate

-New Syllabus
-Introduced September 2004
-Examined June 2006

• Syllabus Content
  
  

CORE
Unit 1. Patterns and processes in the physical environment
Unit 2. Regional geography
Unit 3. Geographical investigation



Two Electives - choose one

Elective Unit 4-Patterns and processes in economic activities

OR

Elective Unit 5-Patterns and processes in the human environment



Four Optional Units - choose one

Option Unit 6-Global Interdependence

OR

Option Unit 7-Geoecology

OR

Option Unit 8-Culture and Identity

OR

Option Unit 9-The Atmosphere/Ocean Environment

Ordinary Level Students are not required to do the Option Unit

• Assessment

-Investigative Study
To be completed by April 28, 2007
20%

-Terminal Examination Paper
To be completed in June 2007
80%
2 hours 50 minutes

 

IB GEOGRAPHY

The IB course provides an international perspective and promotes understanding and respect for different cultures. The relationship between physical processes and human interactions will also be emphasised.

The knowledge and skills acquired on the IB course will prepare students for a wide range of degrees and careers in areas such as planning, resource management, environmental control and international relations.

Both Higher and Standard Level students study a core theme on population, resources and development.

Within the core option they key themes are dealt with through a number of different topic areas. Within the population section we look at distribution and density relating it to Brazil, the geography of fertility, mortality and the specific study two diseases (AIDS/HIV and SARS). Population pyramids and migration are also included within this section.

The population and resources section looks at the relationship between resources and population. Different population theories are studied and related to modern day experiences. In addition, a study is made of ante- and pro-natal programmes.

Specific resource production and consumption - water.

Food as a resource: a look at the growth of food output and the cause/effects of hunger and malnutrition. Linked with this is trade in food and food aid.

Development

• Indicators of development/patterns of development
• Contrasting development issues in EMDC's and ELDC's

Sustainable Development

• Definition, types, scales
• Conservation, recycling and substitution are also dealt with

In addition, students study the following optional topics:

At standard level the optional topics studied are:

Lithospheric processes and hazards

Coasts and their management

Topographic mapping

At higher level

Lithospheric processes and hazards

Coasts and their management

Globalisation

Topographic mapping

Internal Assessment

In addition, all students complete one piece of field work based on the Coasts and their management option. The work looks at sand dune succession on Bull Island and the associated management issues.

 

ASSESSMENT

HIGHER LEVEL:

Paper 1 (CORE) - 25% - 1 1/2 hours
Paper 2 (OPTIONS X 4) - 50% - 2 1/2 hours

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT - 25%

STANDARD LEVEL:

Paper 1 (CORE) - 40% - 1 1/2 hours
Paper 2 (OPTIONS X 2) - 40% - 1 1/2 hours

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT - 20%