Geography

Course summary

Geography is the science of our world. It is the study of the earth as home to humankind. It provides us with the tools to understand the world in which we live and the patterns, relationships and processes that occur. The core content of the A Level will involve study of two physical and two human themes as well as developing geographical skills. The central physical themes are the water/carbon cycles and coastal landscape systems. The core human themes are global systems/governance and changing place(s). At least half the non-core content will address people/environment related questions and issues based on the themes of urban areas and hazards. There will be a minimum of four fieldwork days for A Level. Students will have to produce an assessed independent investigation at A Level (20%) incorporating fieldwork and research. The department’s A Level fieldwork locations include study on the South Coast and within Henley on Thames in Lower 6th. In Upper 6th, students undertake their own individual investigations in Gower, South Wales. There are A Level study day visits to the Royal Geographical Society in Kensington and inspiring Geographical Association lectures in Oxford to support the course and develop a wider appreciation of the subject.