Hsc 2 Unit Geography

HSC 2 UNIT GEOGRAPHY

SYLLABUS

The current HSC Geography Syllabus was introduced in 2001. Geography has many dimensions, two of which are emphasised in this syllabus: * the ecological dimension that considers how humans interact with their environments * the spatial dimension which focuses on where things are, why they are there and how people interact differently with environments in different places.

Throughout this syllabus the emphasis is on integrating geographic skills, contemporary issues and field work with the knowledge requirements of the broad syllabus topics. The topic outline is shown on the accompanying extracts from the HSC Geography Syllabus.

Since you have chosen the one year day matriculation course we have to complete both the Preliminary Course and the HSC Course in the one year. Rather than complete the Preliminary Course and then the HSC Course as separate entities the topics from the Preliminary Course will be linked to the relevant HSC topic. Assessment of the preliminary topics does not count towards your HSC assessment but you are required to satisfactorily complete the requirements for the Preliminary Course in order to proceed to the HSC. The Preliminary Course assessment will be completed as class/ homework exercises that will provide practice for the HSC assessment tasks. A Research Project equivalent to the Senior Geography Project must be completed by all Geography students. The Senior Geography Project is based on primary research. Your project will be directed about an urban issue in a suburb as part of the Urban Places topic. This is assessable for the HSC and provides you with the primary and secondary research requirements set out in the syllabus as well as a possible written question in the HSC Exam.

Teacher: CORINNE Staff Room E1.09 Phone: 9780 – 5625 (message can be left on machine) Available: Tues, Wed, Fridays.

You must keep your teacher informed of absences or changes to your program. If you miss an assessment task YOU ARE REQUIRED to bring documentary evidence and complete this task AT THE NEXT LESSON.

BOOKS AND EQUIPMENT Certain equipment is essential so that you can undertake various mapping and statistical tasks required in the syllabus. You will progressively develop competence in interpreting, analysing and calculating from a range of sources such as tables, maps, charts, photographs, satellite imagery. You will also be producing you own maps, graphs and sketches as part of fieldwork assignments, and the research project. Basic equipment you will need to purchase in order to participate in this subject include: * pens * lead pencils * eraser * 360º protractor * clear plastic ruler * pair of compasses * pair of dividers * calculator * a small set of coloured pencils (buy good quality eg. Derwent/Faber Castel)

You will also need an A4 Folder or Arch Lever Folder, A4 Plastic Sleeves to store class notes and handouts which will be used to supplement information in your textbook and your own research. You also need a DIARY to plan your many assessment tasks. If you have problems getting organised speak to your teacher or the Student Counsellor – Ground Floor E Block.

Widely used texts published specifically for this course include:

Paine, John et. al. ( 2001) Senior Geography 2. Higher School Certificate Course. Macmillan. Melbourne.

Kleeman, G et. al. (2000) A Geography of Global Interactions 2. HSC Course. Heinemann. Melbourne.

I propose that we use Owens, D; J. Paine and G. Reid (2003) Macquarie Revision Guides HSC Geography

If you want a high mark in Geography you must read the other texts, the newspaper and reputable internet sources.

This syllabus emphasises contemporary issues and you should regularly peruse the newspapers, magazines and television for articles relevant to the topics studied. If you find something of particular interest bring it along to class to share with the rest of us. Contemporary information should also be included in research essays.

Forty percent of the HSC Geography Examination involves geographical skills, including fieldwork skills. Because skills make up a large part of the course and relate to all topics they will be covered progressively throughout the course. We will work through the skills on a regular basis using Stacey, Malcolm (2005) Atlas Skills Workbook. Longman Pearson And apply these skills to each of the topics that we study in the HSC course.

FIELDWORK. The Geography Syllabus requires that fieldwork is an integral and compulsory part of the course. At least one fieldwork report must be included in the assessment. HSC EXAMINATION The 2 Unit Geography exam is 3 hours long plus five minutes reading time. The examination has three sections. Section I Skills 15%. Section II Short answers 25% Section III Extended responses 60%

A Stimulus Booklet will accompany the exam. Stimulus material may include topographic maps; world maps; choropleth maps; isoline maps; a range of graphs such as line graphs, column graphs and pie charts; photographs, including aerial photographs and satellite images; illustrations; statistics and newspaper articles. The Stimulus Booklet will directly relate to Sections I and II but may also be used for relevant examples in Section III.

Section I. Multiple Choice (15 Marks) All questions are compulsory. The questions will be derived from the HSC course topics. The questions will require candidates to demonstrate their geographical knowledge and understanding as well as skills in calculating and interpreting maps, photographs, statistics and other material presented in a stimulus booklet.

Section II. Short Answers (25 Marks) Three to five questions All questions are compulsory The questions will be derived from the HSC course content The questions in this section will require candidates to demonstrate their geographical knowledge, understanding and skills and may refer to material presented in a stimulus booklet.

Section III Extended Response (60 Marks) There will be THREE extended response questions. All questions are compulsory All questions are of equal value. The questions will require candidates to demonstrate their geographical knowledge, understanding and skills from the HSC course. The questions may require candidates to refer to material presented in a stimulus booklet.