03GEO

Level 3 Geography

Course Description

Teacher in Charge: Mr J. Burtenshaw.

Year 13 Geography has a cultural Geography focus with a specific focus on the process of tourism. We start the year by looking at what goes into the planning of the ASB Polyfest.  We will go on a field trip to Polyfest to observe the evidence of human impact on the environment. Students then study the effects of mass tourism on people and the environment at a global scale, focusing on a case study of their choice and working out solutions to problems that mass tourism creates. They will also gather tourism-related data that will be used to answer a geographic research aim - part of an internal research achievement standard worth 5 credits.

While all year 13 students are welcome, the course would especially benefit those students seeking U.E. literacy and who plan on going to University.  Students do not need to be expert readers or writers to enter the course, but a serious commitment to engaging with academic texts and inquiry-based learning is a must as you will be expected to do your own research for the internal assessments.  It would also be advantageous to have taken Level 2 Geography, but not essential. 

Course Overview

Term 1
AS 91428 (3.3) ANALYSE A SIGNIFICANT CONTEMPORARY EVENT FROM A GEOGRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE – PLANNING POLYFEST: This achievement standard focuses on the background, planning and impacts of the ASB Polyfest. You will have the chance to visit Polyfest to observe and collect evidence concerning the spatial nature of the festival as well as the social, economic and environmental impacts. 3 credits
AS 91431 (3.6) ANALYSE ASPECTS OF A CONTEMPORARY GEOGRAPHIC ISSUE – CRASS TOURISM: This achievement standard focuses on the issue of mass tourism on a global scale. You will need to choose a case study (a tourist destination), where mass tourism is having negative social, economic and/or environmental effects. You will write a report that outlines the background to the issue, explain different perspectives and find different solutions. 3 credits. This AS is likely to cross over into term 2.

Term 2
AS 91430 (3.5) CONDUCT GEOGRAPHIC RESEARCH WITH CONSULTATION - ROTOVEGAS: Rotorua is a key tourist destination in New Zealand due to its many unique natural and cultural attractions. Rotorua draws tourists from both New Zealand and around the world. This assessment requires you to conduct geographic research (with consultation) into tourism elements and interactions within the Rotorua environment. You will work in a group to create an aim and gather data while on a field trip to Rotorua at the start of term 3. 5 credits.

Term 3
AS AS91427 (3.2) DEMONSTRATE UNDERSTANDING OF HOW A CULTURAL PROCESS SHAPES GEOGRAPHIC ENVIRONMENT(S). This achievement standard focuses on the cultural process of tourism and the New Zealand setting of Rotorua. How has tourism shaped the natural and cultural environments of Rotorua? You will get first-hand experience of this when you attend the 3-day field trip in term 3. This is considered to be the highlight of the geographic year by most students. 4 credits
AS 91429 (3.4) DEMONSTRATE UNDERSTANDING OF A GIVEN ENVIRONMENT(S) THROUGH SELECTION AND APPLICATION OF GEOGRAPHIC CONCEPTS AND SKILLS: The external exam will consist of 3 questions. Each question will involve selecting and applying appropriate geographic skills and concepts to demonstrate your understanding of a given geographic theme. 4 credits

Term 4
Preparation for the external exam.

Recommended Prior Learning

There are no pre-requisites for L3 Geography, but it is highly recommended that you have achieved NCEA at level 2, as this course involves using language-rich skills.  To achieve, you will be expected to be able to read and analyse a variety of sources as well as write detailed essays at level 8 of the curriculum.  Level 3 Geography is an academically focused course.

Contributions and Equipment/Stationery

There is one fieldtrip involved with Level 3 Geography. It is compulsory and linked to an internal assessment. Most of the cost for this trip is covered by the school.
This course is a BYOD course and a laptop is essential for your learning.
A WA4 exercise book and a clear file are required stationery.

Pathway

This course leads on to University.

Credit Information

You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.

This course is eligible for subject endorsement.

This course is approved for University Entrance.

Total Credits Available: 19 credits.
Externally Assessed Credits: 8 credits.
Internally Assessed Credits: 11 credits.

Assessment
Description
Level
Internal or
External
Credits
L1 Literacy Credits
UE Literacy Credits
Numeracy Credits
A.S. 91427 v2
NZQA Info
Geography 3.2 - Demonstrate understanding of how a cultural process shapes geographic environment(s)
Level: 3
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4r,4w *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91428 v2
NZQA Info
Geography 3.3 - Analyse a significant contemporary event from a geographic perspective
Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 3
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 3r *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91429 v2
NZQA Info
Geography 3.4 - Demonstrate understanding of a given environment(s) through selection and application of geographic concepts and skills
4
4
4
Level: 3
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4r,4w *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91430 v2
NZQA Info
Geography 3.5 - Conduct geographic research with consultation
Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 5
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0 *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91431 v2
NZQA Info
Geography 3.6 - Analyse aspects of a contemporary geographic issue
3
3
3
Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 3
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 3r *
Numeracy Credits: 0
Credit Summary
Total Credits: 19
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 14
Total Numeracy Credits: 0

Approved subject for University Entrance

Number of credits that can be used for overall endorsement: 19

Only students engaged in learning and achievement derived from Te Marautanga o Aotearoa are eligible to be awarded these subjects as part of the requirement for 14 credits in each of three subjects.

Pathway Tags

A degree in Geography will open a lot of very interesting career doors. So many of the world's current issues – at a global scale and locally - boil down to geography, and need the geographers of the future to help us understand them. Climate change as it increasingly affects countries and regions,  food and energy security, the degradation of land and soils from over-use and misuse, the spread of disease, the causes and consequences of migration, and the impacts of economic change on places and communities. These are just some of the challenges facing the next generation, which geographers must help solve. As well, Geography is a subject that teaches you many skills that will help you succeed at university - whether you choose to study Geography or focus on another degree such as medicine or law. Employers value the research, analytical, teamwork and communication skills that Geography students develop throughout their studies. The following is a list of professions that studying Geography can lead to... Lawyers, Teachers, Social Workers, Politicians, Policy Analysts, Climatologist, Geomorphologists, Meteorologists, Environmental Consultants, Urban Planners, Demographers, Landscape Designers, Tourism Management, Archaeology, Journalism, Museum Curators, Archivists, Tourism Managers, Business Analysts, Public Relations Managers, Content Strategists, Web Development, Social Media Managers, Communications Officers, Human Resource Managers, Government Agency Roles... The list goes on.,