GEOGRAPHY

Geography affects us all. It is the study of people and places and how they vary from one place to the next. Geography helps us to understand the contemporary issues which face us, be it global warming, famine or poverty. By examining the physical and human environments and how they interact at local, national and global scales we are able to appreciate and understand these contemporary issues.

HIGHLIGHTS

Fieldtrips

The outside classroom is a valuable resource for all Geography departments and is extensively used at Dollar Academy.

• Form III study the impact of tourism and how tourism is managed along the eastern shore of Loch Lomond. In addition they complete urban fieldwork in Edinburgh.
• The Higher classes are taken on a residential fieldtrip to Lochranza Field Studies Centre on Arran where they complete coastal, river and glacial fieldwork.
• The Advanced Higher class visit Kindrogan to learn specific geographical techniques which are an integral part of their course.
• The Geography Department run the Morocco Expedition. Pupils trek into a remote Berber village in the High Atlas, where they assist villagers with community projects. Time in Marrakech and Essaouira contrasts sharply with life in the mountain.

Geography Trip to Morocco

John Dunn, Canadian Explorer/Photographer Visits Academy

COURSE INFORMATION:

Forms I and II: the purpose of the curriculum is to set Geography within its context by studying the interaction between the physical and human environments. In Form I the scale of study focuses on our local and national environments where we study mapping, weather and climate, landscape types and farming. We take a global stance in Form II. Topics covered include our unstable earth, destruction of ecosystems, development and in particular, sustainable development.

Intermediate 2 Geography: The department offered Intermediate 2 Geography for the first time in session 2005-2006, replacing the Standard Grade course. This course encourages a more rigorous understanding of our contemporary world. Three themes are studied - the physical environment, the human environment and environmental interactions. By studying environmental hazards and rural land degradation we explore the combination of the physical and human Geography.

Higher: the course is a natural extension to the work covered in the Standard Grade and Intermediate courses. The focus of study is again on our physical and human environments and their interaction through the study of development and health and river basin management.

Advanced Higher Geography : provides the opportunity for independent study from a geographical perspective. Three units studied - Geographical methods and techniques, a fieldwork study and geographical issues, which develop critical thinking.

Managing Environmental Resources

This new option is being offered to Form VI in 2005-2006. This course will provide a science-based preparation for those students going on to further study in science, applied science or land-based organizations. The aim of the course is to provide a balanced understanding of the environment from a national perspective through the study of natural resources, ecology and land use. Students will develop an awareness of the environment and the increasing complexities of environmental issues. These issues include: biodiversity, sustainable development and environmental responsibility. An investigative approach will be used to develop research using a variety of resources. This will be enhanced throughout the year with site visits to specific organizations or projects, and the expertise from visiting speakers.

The course will be divided into 3 units:

1. Natural Resource Use - focuses on resources and waste management, with emphasis on sustainable approaches to resource use.

2. Investigating Ecosystems - ecological principles and the impact of human activity on these ecosystems. Investigative fieldwork techniques will be applied to a range of ecosystems.

3. Land use in Scotland - development of land and water use and ecological change. The effect of future activities relating to diversity, change and conflicts, including land use legislation.

Watch this space for updates on how this new venture progresses.

Geology

SQA Intermediate 2: We offer this course to Form VI which is especially useful for those going on to do Earth Science study. 3 units are offered either separately or building up into the whole course. 1. Rocks and minerals - identification, formation, structure and relationship. 2 Earth Physics and Earth Movements - plate tectonics and isostasy. 3. Earth History - fossils and stratigraphical relationships. Usually two field trips, one used for the report write up.