VCE+Geography

**RATIONALE** This study focuses on the geography of place and change. Each place on the earth's surface possesses characteristics that make it unique and subject to change. Geographers investigate the changing patterns of place using a range of geographical skills and resources. They observe, describe, explain and analyse patterns of phenomena which affect places at or near the Earth's surface. **AIMS** This study aims to:
 * GEOGRAPHY**
 * build on students' understanding of Australia and other places;
 * develop an appreciation of natural ecosystems and the built environment;
 * develop skills of observation, data collection, analysis, synthesis and evaluation;
 * develop skills in data presentation electronically and with other geographical media;
 * develop a critical perspective about issues.

**UNIT 1: Natural environments**


 * Areas of study**

1. Characteristics of natural environments 2. Changes in natural environments **Outcomes** On completion of this unit the student should be able to: 1. describe geographic characteristics of at least two natural environments and explain how they are developed by natural processes, including extreme natural events. 2. to analyse and explain changes in natural environments due to natural processes and human activity. **Assessment tasks** Assessment tasks for this unit include:
 * field work;
 * data processing and presentation ‑ maps, graphs, annotated visual display;
 * research reports;
 * written responses;
 * tests.

**UNIT 2: Human environments**


 * Areas of study**

1. Characteristics of human environments 2. Changes in human environments **Outcomes**

On completion of this unit the student should be able to:

1. describe and explain the geographic characteristics of different types of rural and urban environments. 2. analyse and explain changes due to human activities in rural and urban environments. **Assessment tasks**

Assessment tasks for this unit include:

**UNIT 3: Regional resources**
 * field work;
 * data processing and presentation ‑ maps, graphs, annotated visual display, etc;
 * research reports;
 * written responses;
 * tests.
 * GEOGRAPHY**

**Areas of study** 1. Use and management of an Australian water resource: The Murray-Darling Basin 2. Use and management of local resources: Retail resources eg. Brunswick St **Outcomes** On completing this unit the student should be able to: 1. analyse the use and management of water within the Murray-Darling Basin region and evaluate its future sustainability. 2. be able to describe characteristics of a local resource and justify a policy for its future use and management using data collected in the field. **Assessment tasks** **School assessed coursework** Assessment tasks for the unit include any two of: 1. test / analysis of geographical data, 2. a written fieldwork report **Examination** 2 hours November **UNIT 4: Global perspectives**

**Areas of study** **1.**Two global phenomena, eg. 2. Global responses **Outcomes** On completing this unit the student will be able to: 1. evaluate the relative importance of factors that affect changes in human population and one other selected global phenomenon. 2. compare and evaluate the effectiveness of responses and policies to manage a global phenomenon from a global perspective. **Assessment tasks** Assessment tasks for the unit include any two of 1. test, practical work exercise, analysis of geographical data, essay; 2. One report justifying management response to selected phenomena from a global perspective. **Examination** 2 hours November
 * Human population
 * climate change;
 * global fishing
 * tourism
 * desertification