Entry Recommendations: Open entry.

Course Outline: As both a Science and Humanities based subject, Geography is a versatile course offering students broad knowledge and a range of essential academic and practical skills. Geography aims to develop an understanding of people and their environment. Year 11 Geography Mātauranga Matawhenua begins to equip students with a broad base of knowledge about aspects of the world in which we live and with the skills of information processing and analysis that are important to many careers. Topics include an introduction to geography specific skills and concepts (Teketeongā pukenga mātauranga matawhenua).

The course will be broken into two strands of physical and human geography.  A study of extreme earth and angry atmosphere (Tāwhirimatea Rua ko Rūamako) and investigation into cultural calm, chaos and calamity (Epā anakite tangata) will be undertaken.

Skills developed in the course:

• Effective communication, including the presentation and interpretation of information in maps, graphs, models and written reports (Geographic spatial skills)
• Problem solving – processing information to form conclusions
• Understanding other people’s points of view, beliefs, cultures and perspectives
• Research – collecting, presenting, analysing and evaluating information
• Ability to work and learn collaboratively 

Course costs: A small fee may apply to local fieldwork outings.

This course leads to: NCEA Level 2 Geography or IB Geography.

Assessment: Components of this course will be the following:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of an environment(s) through the application of basic geography skills and concepts (20%).
2. Demonstrate understanding and analysis of geographic concepts through formal written communication (20%).
3. Conduct geographic research into a contemporary Aotearoa/New Zealand geographic issue, with direction (30%).
4. Demonstrate understanding of physical and human geography concepts. (30%) (Examination).