Introduction to the AQA A2 Human Geography Unit. Thanks to Mr A Cooke and Mrs G Miles for providing the content for this PowerPoint.

1. A2 GeographyA2 Geography
A summary of Human Topics andA summary of Human Topics and
AssessmentAssessment
First of all: Well done, however the hard work
lies ahead, particularly to gain an A*

2. What do your AS results mean?What do your AS results mean?
• Firstly, grades mean very little at this point. Scores are key.
• However, if you have a an overall ‘A’ from AS level (the
higher score the better) then you have a good chance of
scoring an overall A* IF you score 90% overall at A2!
• Sounds difficult!
• The first thing to consider is using your AS case studies
where possible across your A2 course
• This is part of the key idea of SYNOPTICITY – being able to
cross reference different aspects of your course.
• Unsure about re-sits? Discuss over the next week.

3. Assessment in human geographyAssessment in human geography
You will study two human topics in
significant depth for Geog 3
•World Cities
•Contemporary Conflict and
Challenges
Some of the skills elements of these
topics will help with Geog 4 Skills exam

4. Geog 4A - Skills PaperGeog 4A - Skills Paper
‘Further Geographical Skills’
For example:
•In Geog 3 you will study some graphical, diagramatic and
cartographic skills associated with World Cities and Conflict
•These will aid you in the Skills Section B of Geog 4A
•Section A – will consider each aspect of your fieldwork
studied for Geog 2 (your AS paper) in greater depth.

6. A2 Geog 3 Exam PaperA2 Geog 3 Exam Paper
• Sections A and B - 25 marks, structured questions
(7, 8 and 10 marks)
• Section C: 40 mark essay
• Section A: Physical geography
• Section B: Human geography
• In Section B you have 3 options. You answer ONE of the
two that you have studied. (World Cities or Conflict &
Challenges). You then have the option to answer the
other (or a physical question) in Section C
• Section C – A 40 mark essay on one human OR physical
topic that you have studied at A2 level.

7. What is the nature of questioning inWhat is the nature of questioning in
both human topics?both human topics?
• Both Conflict and World Cities require in both the longer
structured answer (Section B, 10 marks) and essay question
(Section C, 40 marks) an understanding of the following
exam terminology:
• Discuss..
• Examine..
• To what extent…
• With reference to examples (in BREADTH and DEPTH)
• Comment on (referring to a resource, make
geographical statements about)
So…balanced, well exemplified answers are needed.
THUS extensive research AND an understanding of what is
required from the specification for each topic is needed.

8. What does the ‘World Cities’‘World Cities’ spec
cover?• Classification and patterns of ‘World’, ‘Millionaire’ and
‘Mega’ Cities; economic change and urbanisation
• Contemporary urbanisation processes (e.g.
urbanisation, suburbanisation, counter-urbanisation,
re-urbanisation) and their causes and effects and
TWO CASE STUDIES at contrasting levels of
development.
• Characteristics and causes of urban decline;
subsequent schemes of regeneration.
• Retailing and other services – their centralisation
(ONE CASE STUDY of O-O-T; ONE CASE STUDY of
urban centre redevelopment.
• Contemporary sustainability issues in urban areas
such as waste management and transport.

9. What does the ‘Conflict and Challenge’‘Conflict and Challenge’
spec cover?
• The geographical basis for conflict – nature and origins;
patterns at national, regional and local scales; expressions
of conflict e.g. violent, non violent; conflict resolution.
• Conflict over the use of a local resource.
• The geographical impact of international conflicts, including
relevant CASE STUDY/STUDIES e.g. Middle East,
Afghanistan, Sudan.
• The challenge of multicultural societies in UK – reasons for
their formation, their distribution and current issues
• Separatism within and / or across national boundaries.
• The challenge of global poverty – distribution, causes,
solutions.

10. SYNOPTICITY, WIDER READING andSYNOPTICITY, WIDER READING and
FLAIRFLAIR
• To achieve highly in GEOG3 you will be required to
score well in the 40 mark essay
• Requires lots of evidence of the above.
• Synopticity – linking the topic studied to other
areas of geography you have studied
• How do you achieve flair? – links to other subject
material, individual reading, keeping abreast of the
news and current conflicts.
• See Flipboard for a source of articles.

11. Synoptic GeographySynoptic Geography
The following are studied in the human topics:
1.Factors that create low levels of development in
Africa
2.Reasons for the decline of inner city populations
Discuss and decide how each of these might link
to any theory or case study material from AS level

12. Wider Reading:Wider Reading:
Structured:
•People Quake – Fred Pearce
•New York ‘World City’ – Geography Review Sept 09
Related fiction/ non-fiction:
•Homage to Catalonia – George Orwell
•A History of the Basque Region
•The Looming Tower – Lawrence Wright
•Manchester – Dave Haslam

13. Be Aware of where you liveBe Aware of where you live
• Manchester is a well documented and well studied place. It
is prevalent in many geographical case studies of human
geography:
• Immigration (Rusholme, Hulme, Levenshulme, everywhere!)
• What is the influence of old and new migrant cultures?
• Transport (Metro-Link and Hybrid Buses)
• Trafford Centre and similarities and contrasts with the
boutiques, bars and ever-changing cultural face of the city
centre
• Students – Fallowfield and around – their effect
• Improvement of deteriorating areas
• Outer Manchester – how do people in the Peak District and
other outlying areas cope with change? Are these Peak
District people rural or really more urban in their lifestyles.

14. A quick quiz – how aware are we of theA quick quiz – how aware are we of the
world today?world today?
1. Where are the migrants coming to Europe coming from
and why? What issues are they facing?
2. Who are I.S.? Where do they control and what issues do
we face as a result of their actions?
3. Why is there war in Ukraine and why might it turn into an
international conflict?
4. Why might South Africa not participate in the rugby
world cup? How is this geographical?
5. Why is the new railway line in the Scottish borders
significant news? Is it a good investment for the region?

15. Synopticity – a brief homework task
Read through the overview of the World Cities topic
(handout we highlighted)
Go back through your AS level notes and…
… find four or five examples/ case studies from Population
and / or Health Geography that you could integrate into
your A2 study of World Cities
Make brief summary notes (a paragraph) on each and
explain how it ties in to your A2 course
Keep your AS folders
Especially your Skills section