Subject Aims

• Geography students will understand the origins and impacts of social, economic and environmental aspects of the world around them. 
• They will have an awareness, knowledge, skills, values and motivation to live sustainably. 
• To be able to observe and evaluate empirical events and processes and draws valid deductions and conclusions in Geography. 
• They will learn to appreciate and respect how diverse values, beliefs and traditions have contributed to the communities and culture in which they live. 
• To value what it means to be an active citizen, with rights and responsibilities in local and wider contexts. 
• To value local, national and international heritage, understand the importance of the relationship between past and current events and the forces that drive change. 

Rationale for Subject

Geography is the study of the Earth’s landscapes, people and places. 

The study of Geography empowers the person to explore and understand the world around them. 

Engagement with the subject promotes a deep understanding of people and place. Developing the skills to read their environment, enabling them to interpret the physical landscape, observe climatic events with an informed eye and discuss world events in a knowledgeable manner.  

Learning in Geography supports students in making informed decisions, giving the ability to make valuable contributions to the economic, social, and cultural life of their communities, localities and countries.  

Subject Topics / Syllabus Content

There are three interconnect strands within Geography: 

Exploring the physical world  

This strand focuses on students exploring how the physical world is formed and changed. Example topics include the distribution of global hazards, formation of rocks and weathering. 

Exploring how we react with the physical world  

This strand focuses on students understanding how people interact with the physical world and the implications this might have for their lives.  

Example topics include the social and economic impacts of natural hazards and the use of natural resources.  

Exploring people, place and change 

This strand focuses on students engaging in topics related to globalisation, development, population and interdependence.  

Topics include settlement patterns, urbanisation, demographics and human development. 

Sustainability is a key concept that runs throughout the Geography syllabus. 

All of these strands are linked by Geoliteracy and Geographical Skills. 

Geoliteracy is where students are able to articulate interactions, interconnections and implications throughout the Geography syllabus.  

Geographical skills include mapping, data analysis and asking geographical questions when completing field investigations.  

Assessment

There is one examination at Common level, set and marked by the State Examinations Commission (SEC). The examination will be no longer than 2 hours and will take place in the June of third year. 

Students will also complete two Classroom-Based Assessments. 

1. Geography in the News – completed in second year 
2. My Geography – completed in third year 

The Classroom-Based Assessments are recorded on the Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement. 

Classroom-Based Assessments allow students to develop and demonstrate the following skills: 

• Research information using a range of methods 
• Analyse data and evidence to make informed value judgements and decisions 
• Organise information and plan logically 
• Communicate with others on tasks 
• Collaborate with others on tasks 
• Reflect of their contributions to the work and their own learning 
• Apply their learning to current, relevant contexts 
• Be empowered and engaged to explore areas of personal interest linking to areas of student. 

Through Classroom-Based Assessment students will develop their knowledge, understanding, skills and values, thereby achieving the learning outcomes in Geography. 

Possible Career Options

Geography allows students to develop a range of transferable skills and the knowledge learnt can be used across a range of different careers.  

Here is a list of the top 5 careers that Geography can support: 

1. Journalist – Both Geography and journalism place a lot of importance on research. Whilst most journalist students can write clearly, not everyone knows about soil erosion or global warming. Geography may help you stand out from the crowd! 
2. Environmental Lawyer – Environmental lawyers typically focus on things such as climate control, energy sources, pollution, and corporate responsibility. All of these skills are studied across the Geography curriculum. 
3. Weather Forecaster – Weather forecasters often use their geographical knowledge (weather patterns and meteorology) to interpret local and global weather systems and frequently rely on their knowledge of communication and data analysis to help present weather reports in a way people understand. 
4. Catastrophe Modeller or Emergency Planner – Using knowledge and research techniques used throughout Geography allow for prediction and planning that can help reduce the impacts of hazard events. 
5. Landscape Architect – Landscape architects are responsible for helping design sustainable outdoor environments like parks, nature reserves and industrial landscapes drawing on many aspects studied within Geography. 

Other careers include: 

• Agriculture – farmer, tree surgeon or ecologist 
• Energy and utilities – petroleum engineer or geochemist  
• Science and research – geologist 
• Public sector – civil servant, member of parliament or environmental health officer 
• Consultancy – data analysis or IT consultant 
• Education – teacher or lecturer 

Useful Links

Junior Cycle Geography Curriculum – Geography (curriculumonline.ie) 

Careers in geography – Careers in Geography (geographicalsocietyireland.ie)