Geography Department Aims & Objectives
1. Regional Awareness
To increase student’s knowledge of locations, places and regions:
a) of the local area
b) of the UK
c) of Europe
d) of localities and regions in the ‘economically developed’ and the economically less-developed’ countries
e) of the world as a whole – the global scale
2. Spatial and Environmental Awareness
To enhance students’ geographical understanding:
a) of physical processes which shape the earth (geomorphic, atmospheric, tectonic and bio geographical) and resultant landscape features
b) of ‘human’ processes which produce spatial patterns – population change, industrial location, transport development, land-use change and settlement
c) of the interactions between people, place and the environment with special reference to energy issues, hazards, pollution and conservation
d) of the inequalities between people and places in terms of quality of life, economic activity and access to resources
3. Geographical Skills
To develop students’ skills:
a) interpretation of maps at different scales and other images of the earths surface
b) user and interpretation of statistics
c) graphically in the form of maps and diagrams
d) field work enquiry skills
e) report writing
f) use of IT
g) weather recording and interpretation
h) problem solving and decision making
i) group work
j) regional synthesis
k) qualitative analysis (e.g. classification)
l) literacy and numeracy
4. Attitudes and Values
To promote positive attitudes and values:
a) a positive attitude towards geographical enquiry
b) care for the environment at local, regional, national and global scales
c) empathy for people of varied backgrounds
d) awareness of the importance of community and citizenship
e) appreciation of gender issues
f) a positive attitude towards multi-cultural societies
5. To enhance the delivery of Cross-curricular themes and dimensions
In terms of the spiritual, Moral and Cultural Dimension the department aims to promote appropriate attitudes and values through:
a) The study of different cultures in different parts of the world. Geography has long made a contribution to multi-cultural education
b) Consideration of personal values in Geography
c) Providing students with opportunities for self-reflection
d) Raising students awareness beyond ‘oneself’
e) Providing opportunities through fieldwork for the development of experimental learning (should develop an aesthetic appreciation of landscapes) and group work
f) Consideration of controversial issues
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