Geography Summary
Geography is the study of Earth’s landscapes, peoples, places and environments. It is, quite simply, about the world in which we live. The reason that Geography is ‘the must have A-level’ is that it is a subject for our times. Studying Geography at A Level enables students to explore and evaluate contemporary geographical questions and issues such as the consequences of globalisation, responses to hazards, water insecurity and climate change. This is made possible through developing an in-depth understanding of physical and human geography, including developing an understanding of the complexity of people and environmental questions and issues. The nature of the discipline encourages students to become critical, reflective and independent learners due to its multidisciplinary approach in a world that increasingly values people who have the skills needed to work across the physical and social sciences. Geographers learn about data analysis, and how to understand and interpret current affairs and world issues. They learn how to use geographic information systems that turn maps from a two-dimensional representation of a country’s physical contours into a tool that shows social features or attitudes: not just where people live, but how, what they think and how they vote. They learn about the physics of climate change, and the interaction of weather events and flood risk, and the way people’s behaviour is influenced by the space around them.