Geography

AIMS OF SUBJECT:

Source: The study of Junior Cycle Geography enables students to become geographically literate. It stimulates curiosity, creating opportunities for students to read, analyse, and communicate about their local environment and wider world.  It develops knowledge, skills, values and behaviours that allow students to explore the physical world, human activities, how we interact with our world and recognise the interconnections between systems.

RATIONALE FOR SUBJECT:

Geography is the study of the Earth’s landscapes, peoples, places, and environments. It adheres to the scientific method and pursues scientific principles and logic. The study of geography empowers the person to explore and understand the world around them. Engagement with the subject promotes a deep understanding of people and place.  Students develop the skills to read their environment, enabling them to interpret the physical landscape, observe climatic events with an informed eye and discuss world events in a knowledgeable manner. Learning in geography supports students in making informed decisions, giving the ability to make valuable contributions to the economic, social, and cultural life of their communities, localities and countries.

Through the study of geography, people are encouraged to appreciate the processes that shape their world and view global issues as ethical citizens. Geography provides a platform to analyse world events, empowering young people as informed, active citizens. Studying geography enhances students’ ability to engage with issues such as sustainable development, economic systems, hazard management and climate change. The topics experienced help develop students’ awareness and understanding of cultural variations fostering a respect of difference. 

Students are growing up in a globalised, dynamic world. Geography provides a medium to explore current events in our world. Students viewing events through a geographical lens are well placed to be part of a generation which can deal effectively with, and mitigate global challenges and rise to related opportunities.

The skills developed through the subject are transferrable and will benefit students in study and life. Geography encourages structured inquiry: this critical thinking involves students asking questions, gathering data, evaluating and interpreting, and presenting information. It encourages collaboration and communication with their peers and experts in other fields.

SUBJECT TOPICS/ SYLLABUS CONTENT:

The specification for Junior Cycle Geography focuses on developing students’ knowledge and skills to explore and understand the world around us, our role within it and recognise the interconnections amongst systems. This is achieved through the three interconnected strands: Exploring the physical world; Exploring how we interact with the physical world; and Exploring people, place, and change, with one overarching concept entitled Geoliteracy. It has been designed for a minimum of 200 hours timetabled student engagement across the three years of junior cycle.
 

ASSESSMENT:

The assessment of Geography for the purpose of the Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA) will comprise of two Classroom-Based Assessments: Geography in the News; and My Geography. In addition, the second Classroom-Based Assessment will have a written Assessment Task that will be prepared and marked, along with the final examination, by the State Examination Commission.  

CBA 1 & 2: ‘Geography in the News’ and ‘My Geography’
These are structured inquiries - students undertake an investigation into an aspect of Geography. The investigation can take place inside or outside of the classroom, where students can apply their knowledge and skills. Specific details of each of the CBA’s structured inquiries are included in the separate Assessment Guidelines for Geography.

Assessment task:

On completion of the second Classroom-Based Assessment, students will undertake an Assessment Task which will be marked by the State Examinations Commission and which will be worth 10%. The Assessment Task will assess students in aspects of their learning including:
• their ability to reflect on the development of their geographical thinking
• their ability to evaluate new knowledge or understanding that has emerged through their experience of the Classroom-Based Assessment
• their ability to reflect on the skills they have developed, and their capacity to apply them to unfamiliar situations in the future
• their ability to reflect on how their appreciation of geography has been influenced through the experience of the Classroom-Based Assessment.

Final Examination:

There will be one examination paper at a common level, set and marked by the State Examinations Commission (SEC). The examination will be no longer than two hours in duration and will take place in June of the third year. This examination paper will be worth 90% of their overall grade.

 


 

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