11

Introduction to A2 Introduction to A2 GeographyGeography

Expectations Attend all lessons on time Use time effectively and productively Read around lessons Carry out independent research Read news articles relevant to the

topics Complete all homework and essays on

time to the top standard Ask for help when needed

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Overview of A2Overview of A2

Unit 3Unit 3

Energy SecurityEnergy Security Biodiversity under threatBiodiversity under threat Superpower GeographiesSuperpower Geographies Water ConflictsWater Conflicts Bridging the development gapBridging the development gap The technological FixThe technological Fix

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Unit 3 – Contested Planet – Unit 3 – Contested Planet – key themeskey themes

Unit 3, Contested Planet, Unit 3, Contested Planet, forms the core of A2 forms the core of A2 Geography. Geography.

The unit aims to introduce The unit aims to introduce key contemporary global key contemporary global issues and to explore the issues and to explore the significance of these issues significance of these issues and examine a range of and examine a range of potential solutions to them. potential solutions to them.

The unit has a synoptic The unit has a synoptic element, which addresses element, which addresses the question of ‘Managing the question of ‘Managing the Contested Planet’. the Contested Planet’.

This takes the form of This takes the form of assessing three broad assessing three broad themes in relation to the themes in relation to the topic contenttopic content

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In the Unit 3 exam students complete 2 questions. In the Unit 3 exam students complete 2 questions. This forms Section A of the Unit 3 examination. This forms Section A of the Unit 3 examination.

Section B is the synoptic issues analysis.Section B is the synoptic issues analysis.

There are six topics in Unit 3: There are six topics in Unit 3: 1.1. Energy securityEnergy security2.2. Water ConflictsWater Conflicts3.3. Biodiversity under Threat Biodiversity under Threat 4.4. Superpower GeographiesSuperpower Geographies5.5. Bridging the Development GapBridging the Development Gap6.6. Technological FixTechnological FixIn each exam series, one of the 6 topics will form the basis for In each exam series, one of the 6 topics will form the basis for

the synoptic issues analysis.the synoptic issues analysis.The remaining 5 topics will each have a Section A question.The remaining 5 topics will each have a Section A question.Students will choose 2 of the 5 Section A questions to complete. Students will choose 2 of the 5 Section A questions to complete. All students will complete Section B, based on the pre-released All students will complete Section B, based on the pre-released

resources. resources.

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Note that the questions on the exam paper will be numbered Note that the questions on the exam paper will be numbered 1-6, BUT these numbers will not correspond to the Topic 1-6, BUT these numbers will not correspond to the Topic numbers. However, the topics each question refers to will be numbers. However, the topics each question refers to will be indicated on the exam paper e.g. indicated on the exam paper e.g. ‘‘Energy SecurityEnergy Security’’

There will be There will be no orderno order to the topic chosen to be the basis for to the topic chosen to be the basis for the pre-release issues analysis, it will be random. the pre-release issues analysis, it will be random.

Students are advised to spend 1 hr 20 mins on Section A, and Students are advised to spend 1 hr 20 mins on Section A, and 1 hour 10 mins on Section B (2 ½ hour exam in total). 1 hour 10 mins on Section B (2 ½ hour exam in total).

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Unit 3: Approaches to Unit 3: Approaches to SynopticitySynopticity

Section B on the Unit 3 exam paper will Section B on the Unit 3 exam paper will consist of an Issues Analysis based on pre-consist of an Issues Analysis based on pre-release resources release resources

The pre-release resources should be The pre-release resources should be studied in class prior to the exam. In the studied in class prior to the exam. In the exam students will be faced with a exam students will be faced with a sequence of three questions (6a, 6b, 6c) sequence of three questions (6a, 6b, 6c) totalling 40 marks.totalling 40 marks.

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In general they will follow an issues analysis sequence:In general they will follow an issues analysis sequence: Introductory question - whatIntroductory question - what’’s the issue / problem? Opportunities s the issue / problem? Opportunities

/ challenges, how did the situation develop etc. / challenges, how did the situation develop etc. Assessment / evaluation looking at impacts, consequences, Assessment / evaluation looking at impacts, consequences,

threats, needs etc. threats, needs etc. Discursive question focussing on the future, management, role of Discursive question focussing on the future, management, role of

different players, options or a range of actions. different players, options or a range of actions. Example belowExample below

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Unit 4 Geographical ResearchUnit 4 Geographical Research This Unit provides the opportunity to research a topic in This Unit provides the opportunity to research a topic in

depth. depth. Each of the six options falls in a different place on the human-Each of the six options falls in a different place on the human-

environmental-physical geography spectrum:environmental-physical geography spectrum:

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Where does each option fit in?Where does each option fit in? Although each option is an in depth Although each option is an in depth

research investigation, you should research investigation, you should consider how it relates to the rest of consider how it relates to the rest of the AS and A2 Geography course. the AS and A2 Geography course.

AS Unit 1 and A2 Unit 3 are both AS Unit 1 and A2 Unit 3 are both focused on global issues and focused on global issues and understanding how the world works understanding how the world works as whole system. as whole system.

Unit 4 is more focused on Unit 4 is more focused on geographical specialisms. geographical specialisms.

To fit the two approaches together To fit the two approaches together each Unit 4 option has an each Unit 4 option has an introductory introductory Global Synoptic Global Synoptic ContextContext which highlights where it which highlights where it fits into the GCE course as a whole.fits into the GCE course as a whole.

The introductory sections each have The introductory sections each have 3 P3 P’’s:s:

PPlaceslacesPPeopleeoplePPowerower

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GeneratinGenerating a g a

Research Research Ethos at Ethos at

A2A2

Linked reading and cross referencing: having looked at one source you may need another to understand it

Look at the origins of an article, or who runs a web site, Be critical of sources, check for bias

Collect your own articles, reports , swap with other students

1Finding information

2Selecting and sorting

information

What is the focus of your research?i.e. topic, aims

Begin a search from a variety of sources: books, articles, websites….and keep a record (date, volume, author…) as you go!

Begin to filter information- not all that you read will be useful for a particular focus!

3Synthesis and

sorting information

Highlight key words, technical terms, even create a glossary to help you revise

4Create final product:

This may be an essay during your course, or a report, or a presentation, or simply notes for yourself!

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Assessment for Unit 4Assessment for Unit 4 For the Unit 4 examination students will be required to For the Unit 4 examination students will be required to

answer answer ONEONE report question on their chosen option. There report question on their chosen option. There will only be one question per option on the exam paper. will only be one question per option on the exam paper.

The exam in 1 ½ hours long. The exam in 1 ½ hours long. Below is an example report questionBelow is an example report question

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Candidates will be made clear what the Candidates will be made clear what the purpose of the research focus is and what purpose of the research focus is and what

the expectedthe expected product product is. is. Instructions to CandidatesInstructions to Candidates Select Select one optionone option, based on the research you have carried out , based on the research you have carried out

for Unit 4. for Unit 4. You should use information contained in the research focus to You should use information contained in the research focus to

prepare for the Unit 4 examination. The prepare for the Unit 4 examination. The research focusresearch focus will give will give you an idea of the sort of question you will need to answer in the you an idea of the sort of question you will need to answer in the examination for Unit 4.To help you narrow down your last minute examination for Unit 4.To help you narrow down your last minute research, the focus is divided into:research, the focus is divided into:

ExploreExplore, meaning the background concepts, processes, theories, , meaning the background concepts, processes, theories, models involved where relevant.models involved where relevant.

ResearchResearch, meaning the geographical places, case studies and , meaning the geographical places, case studies and examples illustrating these.examples illustrating these.

You will be expected to produce a You will be expected to produce a reportreport, with clear subsections , with clear subsections and referencing.and referencing.

Please consult the accompanying generic mark scheme, also to be Please consult the accompanying generic mark scheme, also to be found on the Edexcel websitefound on the Edexcel website

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It is important to recognise that the It is important to recognise that the product product is a is a reportreport, not an , not an essay. This means that the studentessay. This means that the student’’s answer is expected to contain:s answer is expected to contain: Clear sub–headings and sectioning – introduction, analysis, conclusion Clear sub–headings and sectioning – introduction, analysis, conclusion

etc. etc. Diagrams, especially conceptual ones such as models, but also simple Diagrams, especially conceptual ones such as models, but also simple

maps, graphs and tables of data when appropriate maps, graphs and tables of data when appropriate Sources and referencing – not as in a University Dissertation, but at least Sources and referencing – not as in a University Dissertation, but at least

acknowledging key sources of informationacknowledging key sources of information

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linkage

linkagelinkage

AnalysisSection 2 Concept/case study 12 …….

Main structure What needs to be included

Hitting 70?

PLANNING PAGE 1 SIDE MAX spider, spectrum diagram, grid, bullets…

Section 1:Introduction

Discussion of title-developing a focus- by case study or conceptsAccurate definitionsFramework by concept/case study

D10

AnalysisSection2Concept/Case Study1

Concept/Case Study2

Concept/Case Study3 etc …..

Research + sampling methods: range, topical, relevant

Analysis, Application+ Understanding: linked to title (+supporting maps/diagrams if relevant) Values/perspectives

R15

+ Sub conclusion/ evaluation

+Sub conclusion/ evaluation

A20

+Sub conclusion/ evaluation

Section 3 : Final Conclusion Ongoing evaluations + final summary. Shows complexity of Q

C15

Quality of written communication: Report style, sequencing, SPAG, Geographical Vocabulary referencing/sourcing

Q10