Page 18 - Pathways Booklet 2020

Geography

Year 10
Urban Futures: Never before has the landscape of the planet looked more urban. Cities are growing at
unprecedented rates. This topic seeks to explore why, and consider how the global pattern of urbanisation
is changing. Urban challenges and opportunities are varied and unique and learners will examine these
through studying two cities, one from an advanced country (AC) and one from either an emerging and
developing country (EDC) or a low-income developing country (LIDC). Within each city, contrasting ways of
life, geographical processes, problems and solutions will be studied in order to gain a holistic
understanding of what makes up the urban fabric of each place.

Dynamic Development: We live in an unequal world, where the gap between prosperity and poverty is
widening. This topic asks learners to consider the changing nature and distribution of countries along the
development spectrum before examining the complex causes of uneven development. The future for LIDCs
is uncertain and will be investigated through an in-depth study of one country, considering its
development journey so far, how its global connections may influence the future and possible alternative
development strategies.

Changing Climate: Climate change is one of the most controversial global issues of the 21st century. In this
topic learners will analyse patterns of climate change from the start of the Quaternary period to the
present day, considering the reliability of a range of evidence for the changes. Learners will study the
theories relating to natural climate change and consider the influence of humans on the greenhouse effect.
Social, economic and environmental impacts of climate change at both local and global scales will be
examined.

Distinctive Landscapes: The UK contains a diverse and distinct range of landscapes. This topic gives
learners the opportunity to unravel the geographical processes that make them distinctive. A deeper
understanding of the geomorphic processes that shape rivers and coastal landscapes is developed and
consideration of the human influence on these.

Fieldwork: We undertake fieldwork in Birmingham city centre and the Shropshire hills to complete the
human and physical fieldwork elements of the course.

Year 11

Global Hazards: This topic allows learners to develop an understanding of a variety of hazards that impact
human lives both within the UK and worldwide. Learners investigate how weather can be hazardous,
gaining knowledge of the major processes within the atmosphere and their impact in creating extreme
weather. This is contextualised through two case studies of natural weather hazard events. Earthquakes
and volcanic eruptions are just some of the deadly hazards we face on Earth. Not only do they impact
humans but they also shape our land. An understanding of tectonic hazards is developed; exploring the
causes, consequences and responses to a tectonic event of choice.

st
UK in 21 Century: A diverse range of cultures, identities and economies make up the patchwork of the UK.
This topic poses questions about the changing nature of people’s lives and work in the UK in the 21st
century. It asks learners to consider some of the drivers for this change. As new economic superpowers
emerge, questions have been posed about the global significance of the UK. This will be investigated
through a study of the UK’s political and cultural connections with the rest of the world.