Aims of the course

To introduce students to a variety of topics on both local and global scales. Term 1 focuses on development which is critical for students in an international setting. Term 2 focuses on settlement issues in Bahrain. Term 3 combines the 2 topics, giving students a chance to see how our actions at a local level can have implications on a global scale.

Summary overview of the programme

Core texts: Geog.3

Term 1: What is Development?

• To understand the nature of development
• To understand how development can be measured and the implications in doing this.
• To consider the effects of development on the quality of life of different groups of people within a country
• To be able to define development (HDI)
• To appreciate that there is a development gap
• To consider the factors/processes, including interdependence, which limits the lack of development

Term 2: How has global settlement changed and how are Bahrain’s urban areas developing?

• To understand that settlements in MEDCs often have a planned structure
• To know and understand how settlements can be represented on OS maps
• To understand the need for hypothesis testing
• To design effective questionnaires
• To conduct a geographical enquiry independently
• Students will carry out an investigation through a field trip to the Manama Souq
• The investigation title is: “Will pedestrianiasation have a positive effect on the Souq?”
• Students must look at the viewpoints of all the people involved in this debate and then present their findings in the form of a written report. This will develop their independent learning skills and prepare them for the rigours of GCSE coursework

Term 3: Local actions global effects

• Asking geographical questions and suggesting appropriate sequences for investigation. Examining how conflicting demands on an environment arise
• To consider the effects of environmental planning and management on people, places and environments
• To evaluate the effects on the environment of the use of a resource
• To appreciate the need for resource planning and to evaluate different management strategies. To appreciate how places are interdependent
• To identify how conflicting demands on the environment arise
• How and why attempts are made to plan and manage environments?
• To explore the idea of sustainable development and recognise its implications for people, places, environments and their own lives

Assessment

• Students are assessed according to the following assessment framework:
• Assessed task related to explaining correlations between development indicators
• End of unit development task.
• Souq investigation report
• Assessed task: North sea pollution and fish stocks
• End of year exam