Geography is the study of the earth’s surface as the space in which people live. Senior Geography consists of studies of people and places, and of the relationship between people and their environment. A course in Geography will include not only a study of physical environments, but also the way that people have sought to modify physical and social environments, and the effects of these human activities.

Geography as an area of study is a dynamic one, in which technological development, especially in areas such as satellite imagery and computers, is changing our understanding of the physical world and the way that information about it is gathered. Geography will assist students to understand the rapid expansion in knowledge and understanding of their physical and social world.

Studies in Geography are of benefit in employment such as town planner, surveyor, travel agent, cartographer, journalist, teacher, real estate agent, meteorologist, flight attendant, public servant, public relations officer.

Tertiary studies for which Geography is a useful preparation include anthropology, architecture, environmental studies, engineering, economics and commerce, geography, geology, journalism, psychology, social work, surveying, town planning, teaching and tourism.

The senior Geography syllabus is designed around four themes. Each theme offers a range of core and elective topics, providing flexibility and choice for both students and teachers.

The four themes and their core units are:

Core unit 1: Responding to natural hazards

Core unit 2: Managing catchments

Core unit 3: Contrasting development

Core unit 4: Feeding the world’s people

Core unit 5: Sustaining urban and rural environments

Core unit 6: Planning places

Core unit 7: Living within physical systems

Core unit 8: Managing resources.

In addition to the core units, students will study a range of elective topics related to each theme. The elective topics are selected by the school, taking into account student preferences, resources and local needs.

Learning in Geography takes place in a variety of settings, including classroom, library, school grounds, local community and field study excursions. Fieldwork is especially important in Geography because it enables students to develop skills in order to find out about environments first hand.

Generally, geographers ask and seek to answer the following key questions about whatever they are studying:

In dealing with questions such as these, students use a wide range of data as the basis of their studies. Increasingly the sources of data include electronic sources, as well as library and field research.

Criteria that are consistent with the objectives of the course of study are used to determine standards of student work. Students are assessed by a variety of techniques so that they have every opportunity to show their best performance. All summative assessment will occur in Year 12, except for the knowledge component of core units which have been studied in Year 11. The course should provide flexibility in assessment, and requires a variety of assessment types, including reports, short response, and non-written techniques.

The development of sound geographical knowledge and skills requires learning at home as well as at school and in the community. Parents can help by: