Stage 5 Subject Selections

Geography Elective

Geography

Course Description 

The aim of Geography Elective is to stimulate students’ interest in and engagement with the world. Through geographical inquiry they develop an understanding of the interactions between people, places and environments across a range of scales and contemporary geographical issues in order to become informed, responsible and active citizens. 

 

Students are provided with opportunities to develop critical and creative thinking as they investigate geographical information, concepts and ideas through inquiry-based learning. They develop and practise critical and creative thinking by using strategies that help them think logically when evaluating and using evidence.

 

The study of Geography Elective provides students with opportunities to develop the knowledge, understanding, skills, values and attitudes necessary for them to act in ways that contribute to more sustainable ways of living. Students engage with and develop an understanding of diverse cultures in ways that recognise similarities and differences, create connections with others and cultivate mutual respect. 

 

What will students learn about?

Students undertake 200 hours of study in Stage 5 with a minimum of five topics. All students are to be provided with opportunities to investigate a wide range of places and environments from local to global scales and will undertake fieldwork. 

1. Physical Geography

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huqJUghX26Y

  • Investigate the processes involved in volcanic and earthquake activity, folding and faulting.
  • Investigate patterns and processes associated with climate.
  • An example that could be used is the Grand Canyon, USA.

2. Oceanography

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfWyzrkFkg8

  • Investigate features of the world’s oceans.
  • Investigate the importance of the world’s oceans.
  • Select at least ONE issue relating to the use of oceans
  • An example that could be used include whaling in the Southern Ocean.

3. Primary Production

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UqiDs-_1A8

  • Investigate the nature and spatial distribution of primary production.
  • Select at least ONE activity relating to primary production operating at a local, regional or global scale.
  • An example that could be used include fishing and sustainability in the Galapagos.

4. Global Citizenship

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3n9AngJm3c

  • Investigate the values, attitudes and ideas of global citizens.
  • Investigate how global challenges are addressed through action at a global scale
  • An example that could be used include landmines in South East Asia.

5. Australia’s Neighbours

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cz8z3G8N_KU

  • Investigate characteristics of the Asia–Pacific region.
  • Select at least ONE country from the Asia–Pacific region.
  • An example that could be used is pollution in Indonesia.

6. Political Geography

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDQq_p7mMsk

  • Investigate key political features of the world.
  • Investigate political tension and conflict across a range of scales.
  • Select at least ONE area of political tension and conflict.
  • An example that could be used include the South China Sea.

7. Interactions and Patterns along a Transcontinental Transect

  • Investigate changes in physical and human characteristics along the chosen transect.
  • Investigate places and events of geographical significance along the transect.
  • Investigate at least ONE geographical issue relevant to the study area such as land degradation.

8. School-developed Option

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUbHGI-kHsU

  • This option provides students with the opportunity to develop their geographical knowledge and understanding of a particular location and/or area of inquiry that caters for their interests, needs and resources.