Geography: Level 1

Course Overview

Geography is the study of te taiao (the natural world). “What is where, why there, and why care?” (Charles F. Gritzer, 2002) is an excellent way to think like a geographer. Geography helps us make sense of place, and investigates how things are interconnected, including people.

Big Ideas

Te taiao connects people and people connect to te taiao - investigation connections between people and place at local, regional, national and global scales.

Te taiao can be shaped by natural processes - understanding how natural processes can shape the environment and the impacts they have on people.

Tikanga informs the relationships between the tangata and te taio - looking at kaitiakitanga and the sustainable use of the environment.

Perspectives and power influence te taiao - exploring how different perspectives and power relate to decision making and people’s relationship with place.

Topics Covered

• Spatial distribution of people in various countries such as India, the USA and New Zealand. The implications of this distribution will be investigated through skills such as digital GIS mapping.

• Natural processes such as tectonic processes and earthquakes will be investigated on a global and national scale. This will include the Alpine Fault and the Kaikoura earthquake. Other processes that shape the environment of the South Island include climatic and coastal processes.

• Field work can include a beach study or a river study where we will collect data to present and interpret.

• Geographic challenges will be investigated throughout the year, including why people have different perspectives on issues. This will lead into the examination at the end of the year.