Geography

What do we study?

The study of Geography is fundamental to our understanding of the world around us. We deal with the physical world including topics such as weather and climate, landscape features like mountains, rivers and coasts and the processes which form and change them. We look at the changing surface of our planet, plate tectonics, the risks that earthquakes and volcanos pose. We study global and local systems and how they have led to changes in our climate. We also investigate natural regions like rainforests and the ecosystems they support.

To balance the physical geography that we study we incorporate several human and global topics. These include studies in inequality, patterns of Rich and Poor, standards of living and development issues in various countries around the world. We analyse urban areas; their development, change and planning. We study rural landscapes, with a particular focus on food production and change. We investigate current issues that affect people and the environment, discovering the problems, consequences and solutions of the issues we face today. These issues include climate change, diseases and water stresses such as, drought and flooding. The importance of studying geography cannot be underestimated, many of the world's problems rely on geography to help us understand and find solutions to them.

Staff members:

Miss Emma Horsburgh

Ms Gillian Turnbull (Temp PT Guidance)

At Woodmill you will be able to study Geography in both the BGE (S1-S3) and the Senior Phase (S4-S6). In the Senior Phase, courses will be available at National 3, National 4, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher level (depending on demand). 

Courses:

S1:

In S1 Geography you will explore and learn about the world that we live in. The course will take you on a journey across the seven continents and five oceans as we study world, as well as local, maps. You will also learn about differences between weather and climate and explore a related event of your choice – from Hurricanes to Forest Fires.

S2:

S2 Geography – Earth Forces.

In this course you will investigate, our earth’s structure and the causes and impacts of volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis. You will study various events from around the world, from the La Palma Volcanic eruption to the Indian Ocean Tsunami. The course involves plenty of opportunities to carry out independent research and to learn more about an earth forces event of your choice. 

S3:

The S3 Geography course presents you with an opportunity to learn more about the world we live in, to study issues which affect our lives and the ways in which we interact with our environment.

There has never been a better or more important time to study Geography. With continued interest in issues such as climate change, migration and environmental degradation Geography is one of the most relevant courses you could choose to study. Geography helps us understand how people and the environment are changing. 

· Rivers and their valleys

· Weather and Climate

· People of different Climate regions – Equatorial Rainforest and Tundra

· Differences in levels of development.

· Fair Trade Fortnight

· Population studies

· The Geography of Health – Heart Disease and Malaria

· Urban Geography – Edinburgh and Rio de Janeiro.

· Rural Geography – Farming in the UK and India.

· Geographical skills and techniques, include – Mapping – Fieldwork - Processing information