Geography

Geography is about environment and place. It is about where we live and how we shall shape it for the future. It a vibrant subject, constantly changing and dealing with some of the most challenging issues of the 21st Century ranging from climate change to overpopulation and resource depletion. Students will be able to identify patterns, change in time and space, relationships, issues and values. They synthesise multiple view points and reach sensible conclusions based on geographical evidence.

H2

Students must study both physical geography and human geography in equal measure. Topics include the lithosphere, hydrology, climate, population, urban geography and globalisation. There is an emphasis on geographical issues like global warming and the impact of globalisation. Students should be prepared to be judgmental and to evaluate the merits of different strategies in managing the environment

HI

Students take lithosphere and globalisation units and either the hydrology or urban geography unit of the H2 syllabus

H3

Good students may consider doing a research project for the MOE syllabus, writing a research paper under the guidance of an NUS mentor for the HSSR scheme or attending a NUS run course on, for example, Geopolitics

Pedagogy

The basic teaching method is a lecture/tutorial system. In tutorials group work, discussion and debate, and presentations will all feature. Students are expected to be independent and learn to research on their own with limited facilitation from the teachers.

Geography is assessed by data response questions (DRQs) and structured essays. In DRQs data may be in the form of maps, statisitics, graphs and diagrams, photographs, satelite images, newspaper articles or any other form of print media. The questions will, with reference to the data test students comprehension of geographicalo concepts. The structured essay will test a students ability present a sequenced argument and evaluate the relative strengths of different points of view.

Geography enhances presentation skills using cartographic, graphical, photographic and satellite images. A basic tenet of geography is fieldwork and students conduct local fieldwork in Singapore as well participating in a four day fieldtrip to Kuala Lumpur and Pahang

Enrichment

Besides fieldwork undertaken by all students taking the subject, participation in competitions and atttendance at talks and seminars are encouraged