Higher Geography

The National Parent Forum of Scotland is grateful for the support of the Scottish Government, the Scottish Qualifications Authority and Education Scotland in the preparation of this series. www.parentforumscotland.org enquiries@parentforumscotland.org

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parentforumscot For course information, specimen question papers and past paper guidance visit: Higher Geography: www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/47922.html Curriculum for Excellence Key Terms and Features Factfile Education Scotland: https://education.gov.scot/nationalqualifications Further Information for Parents and Learners Information on assessment, skills, progression, revision resources and summaries of National Qualifications www.parentforumscotland.org HIGHERS IN A NUTSHELL The National Parent Forum of Scotland Higher Summary Geography SOCIAL STUDIES OCT 2018 Content The course has three areas of study: • Physical environments • Human environments • Global issues Skills Learners will be able to: • use a wide range of geographical skills and techniques • understand the complexity of ways in which people and the environment interact in response to physical and human processes on local, national, international and global scales • understand spatial relationships and the complexity of the changing world in a balanced, critical and sympathetic way • develop a geographical perspective on environmental and social issues and their significance • develop an interest in, understanding of, and concern for the environment and sustainable development Opportunities for Learners Learners will be able to: • use, interpret, evaluate and analyse a wide range of geographical information • interpret and explain complex geographical phenomena • use a wide range of maps and other data to process and communicate complex geographical information • develop research skills, including fieldwork • develop an awareness of a range of geographical information systems through ICT or alternative means Assessment • The course will be assessed through two question papers (exams) and an assignment, which will be marked by SQA and graded A to D or as no award. • The assessment marks are scaled so that question paper one (physical and human environments) makes up 46% of the total assessment mark and question paper two (global issues and geographical skills) makes up 27%. • The assignment makes up 27% of the total assessment mark. There are two stages: research and production of evidence. Learners have an open choice of geographical topic or issue. Question Paper 1Section 1: Physical environments (50 marks) Section 2: Human environments (50 marks) 1 hour 50 minutes 100 marks Question Paper 2Section 1: Global issues (40 marks) Section 2: Application of geographical skills (20 marks) 1 hour 10 minutes 60 marks Specimen Paperwww.sqa.org.uk/pastpapers/findpastpaper.htm Assignment The research stage is completed over a notional period of 8 hours. The production of evidence stage must be done in one sitting (1 hour 30 minutes) in time to meet a submission date set by SQA. 8 hours (approx.) 1 hour 30 minutes 30 marks Progression Higher courses can stand alone or follow on from National 5 qualifications and may lead to Advanced Highers, the Scottish Baccalaureate and a range of qualifications within Further and Higher Education. HIGHER