Introduction to A2

Geography

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

Overview of A2

Unit 3

Energy Security
Biodiversity under threat
Superpower Geographies
Water Conflicts
Bridging the development gap
The technological Fix
4

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Unit 3 Contested Planet key

themes

Unit 3, Contested Planet,

forms the core of A2
Geography.
The unit aims to introduce key
contemporary global issues and
to explore the significance of
these issues and examine a
range of potential solutions to
them.
The unit has a synoptic
element, which addresses the
question of Managing the
Contested Planet.
This takes the form of
assessing three broad themes
in relation to the topic content
6

In the Unit 3 exam students complete 2 questions.

This forms Section A of the Unit 3 examination.
Section B is the synoptic issues analysis.
There are six topics in Unit 3:
1. Energy security
2. Water Conflicts
3. Biodiversity under Threat
4. Superpower Geographies
5. Bridging the Development Gap
6. Technological Fix
In each exam series, one of the 6 topics will form the basis for the
synoptic issues analysis.
The remaining 5 topics will each have a Section A question.
Students will choose 2 of the 5 Section A questions to complete.
All students will complete Section B, based on the pre-released
resources.
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Note that the questions on the exam paper will be numbered 1-6,
BUT these numbers will not correspond to the Topic numbers.
However, the topics each question refers to will be indicated on the
exam paper e.g. Energy Security
There will be no order to the topic chosen to be the basis for the
pre-release issues analysis, it will be random.
Students are advised to spend 1 hr 20 mins on Section A, and 1 hour
10 mins on Section B (2 hour exam in total).

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Unit 3: Approaches to Synopticity

Section B on the Unit 3 exam paper will

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

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In general they will follow an issues analysis sequence:

Introductory question - what s the issue / problem? Opportunities /
challenges, how did the situation develop etc.
Assessment / evaluation looking at impacts, consequences, threats,
needs etc.
Discursive question focussing on the future, management, role of
different players, options or a range of actions.
Example below

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Unit 4 Geographical Research

This Unit provides the opportunity to research a topic in depth.

Each of the six options falls in a different place on the humanenvironmental-physical geography spectrum:

11

Where does each option fit in?

Although each option is an in depth

research investigation, you should
consider how it relates to the rest of
the AS and A2 Geography course.
AS Unit 1 and A2 Unit 3 are both
focused on global issues and
understanding how the world works as
whole system.
Unit 4 is more focused on geographical
specialisms.
To fit the two approaches together
each Unit 4 option has an introductory
Global Synoptic Context which
highlights where it fits into the GCE
course as a whole.
The introductory sections each have 3
Ps:

Places
People
Power

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Generating
a Research
Ethos at A2

1
Finding information

Collect your own

articles, reports ,
swap with other
students

Begin a search from a

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

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

What is the focus of

your research?
i.e. topic, aims

2
Selecting and sorting
information
3
Synthesis and
sorting
information

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

Highlight key words,

technical terms,
even create a
glossary to help you
revise

4
Create final product:
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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 4

For the Unit 4 examination students will be required to

answer ONE report question on their chosen option. There
will only be one question per option on the exam paper.
The exam in 1 hours long.
Below is an example report question

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Candidates will be made clear what the purpose

of the research focus is and what the expected
product is.
Instructions to Candidates
Select one option, based on the research you have carried out for Unit 4.
You should use information contained in the research focus to prepare for
the Unit 4 examination. The research focus will give 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 research, the focus is divided into:
Explore, meaning the background concepts, processes, theories, models
involved where relevant.
Research, meaning the geographical places, case studies and examples
illustrating these.
You will be expected to produce a report, with clear subsections and
referencing.
Please consult the accompanying generic mark scheme, also to be found on
the Edexcel website

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It is important to recognise that the product is a report, not an

essay. This means that the students answer is expected to contain:

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Clear subheadings and sectioning introduction, analysis, conclusion etc.

Diagrams, especially conceptual ones such as models, but also simple
maps, graphs and tables of data when appropriate
Sources and referencing not as in a University Dissertation, but at
least acknowledging key sources of information

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2
Analysis
Concept/case
.structure
study 1
Main
Section 2
PLANNING PAGE

What needs to be included

1 SIDE MAX

Section 1:
Introduction

Concept/Case
Study2

Concept/Case
Study3 etc ..

spider, spectrum diagram, grid, bullets

Discussion of title-developing a focus- by case study or
concepts
Accurate definitions
Framework by concept/case study
Research + sampling methods: range, topical, relevant

linka
linka

linka
ge
Analysisge
ge
Section2
Concept/Case Study1

D
10

R
15

+ Sub
conclusion/
evaluation

+Sub
conclusion/
evaluation

Analysis, Application+ Understanding:

linked to title (+supporting maps/diagrams if relevant)
Values/perspectives

A
20

+Sub
conclusion/
evaluation

Section 3 : Final Conclusion

Ongoing evaluations + final summary. Shows complexity

of Q

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

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referencing/sourcing

Hitting 70?

C
15
Q
10

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