Syllabus
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Unit 1: Responding to risk and vulnerability in hazard zones
Topic 1: Natural hazard zones
Unit 1: Responding to risk and vulnerability in hazard zones > Topic 1: Natural hazard zones
- Explain, using a range of representations such as maps, conceptual models, block diagrams, and cross sections, how natural hazards are the result of processes that occur within the earth (geological) on the surface of the earth (geomorphic), in the atmosphere (atmospheric) or a combination of these and may result in natural hazards
- Recognise hazard zones, represent these on a map (using spatial technologies) and analyse spatial distribution of the hazard to describe geographic patterns and identify the implications for people and environments
- Explain how the severity of the impacts of natural hazards is influenced by factors such as speed of onset magnitude frequency duration temporal spacing (the sequencing and seasonality of events, i.e. random or regular)
- Explain how climate change may affect the severity and incidence of some natural hazards, and increase risk
- Explain the concepts of vulnerability and risk as applied to natural hazard management
- Conduct a case study to investigate one natural hazard that has affected a place in a developed country and a place in a developing country. As part of this case study, students must manipulate, adapt and transform data, using spatial technologies and information and communication technologies, to represent and describe the nature, extent and characteristics of the hazard zone for the case study locations explain how these factors contribute to risk for the case study locations including population density and settlement patterns, topographic features such as hydrology and elevation, level of economic development, degree of preparedness, the location, speed and effectiveness of emergency responses, the user of technologies (including spatial) in responding to natural hazards apply geographical understanding by extrapolating from their analysis to explain the impacts for communities in developed and developing countries identify preparedness, mitigation, prevention and adaptation strategies to manage risk from various agencies such as NGOs, governments and individuals communicate understanding of risk and vulnerability of environments and/or people in hazard zones and identify adaption and/or mitigation strategies to reduce risk suited to different locations.
Topic 2: Ecological hazard zones
Unit 1: Responding to risk and vulnerability in hazard zones > Topic 2: Ecological hazard zones
- Explain how ecological hazards are the result of biological and anthropogenic processes that have an impact on the physical environment (eco-hazards), e.g. environmental plant and animal invasions, impacts of pollutants in lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere human health (diseases), e.g. infectious diseases and vector-borne diseases
- Explain the concepts of vulnerability and risk as applied to ecological hazard management
- Recognise ecological hazard zones, represent these on a map and analyse spatial distribution to describe geographic patterns and identify the implications for people and places
- Explain how the severity of the impacts of ecological hazards is influenced by factors such as speed of onset magnitude frequency duration sequencing and seasonality of events, i.e. random or regular
- Explain how climate change may affect the severity and incidence of some ecological hazards, and increase risk
- Conduct a case study to investigate how ONE ecological hazard has affected ONE community or environment. The scale of study may be regional, national or local. As part of this case study, students must manipulate, adapt and transform data, using spatial and information and communication technologies, to represent and describe the nature, extent and characteristics of the hazard zone for the case study location analyse vulnerability data and information (including representations in maps) to explain how these factors contribute to the risk for the case study location, including all of the following that are relevant to the case study hazard population density and settlement patterns, topographic factors such as vegetation cover and catchment condition, anthropogenic factors such as access to medical services and waste management mechanisms, land use, level of economic development, climatic conditions, degree of preparedness, the location, speed and effectiveness of emergency responses, aid programs apply geographical understanding by extrapolating from the analysis to identify and explain the impacts of the hazard on the case study location, including a range of social, economic and environmental impacts caused by the selected hazard the primary, secondary and tertiary impacts of the selected hazard synthesise information from the analysis to propose action that will reduce risk in the case study location
- Communicate understanding of risk and vulnerability for environments and/or people in hazard zones and propose responses for sustainable adaption and/or mitigation.
Unit 2: Planning sustainable places
Topic 1: Responding to challenges facing a place in Australia
Unit 2: Planning sustainable places > Topic 1: Responding to challenges facing a place in Australia
- Explain how remote, rural and urban places in Australia are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
- Explain the processes that shape the identity of remote, rural and urban places, including urbanisation suburbanisation counterurbanisation population increase population decline
- Recognise the spatial patterns of remote, rural and urban places in Australia and represent these on a map, using spatial technologies
- Explain the factors that have contributed to these patterns (i.e. factors affecting settlement patterns), including: physical factors, such as access to fresh water, soil fertility and other natural resource availability; economic factors, such as resource exploitation, employment and affordability; and social factors, such as access to health and education services
- Identify the implications for people living in remote, rural and urban places, e.g. provision of goods and services, transport, housing accessibility and affordability
- Analyse ABS data to explain the changing characteristics of remote, rural and urban places in Australia
- Describe the geographical challenges facing places in Australia as a result of the changing characteristics of places, including rural and remote places, e.g. employment, provision of health and educational services, transportation connections to major centres, expansion or contraction of industry, isolation and remoteness, access to fresh and affordable food, housing availability and affordability, waste management, fresh water quality and availability, and access to communication technology (e.g. NBN) metropolitan and/or regional cities in Australia, e.g. urban sprawl, gentrification, transport options, environmental degradation, land-use zoning, service provision and management, housing availability and affordability, and waste management
- Conduct a field study at a local scale to collect primary data for investigating a specific challenge associated with sustainability and liveability for a place in Australia (remote, rural or urban) and how this challenge might be managed. As part of this field study, students must use the geographic inquiry model to develop a plan and carry out fieldwork to investigate a challenge facing a place in Australia identify the aim of the field study, the methodology to be used, the data required and appropriate methods for data collection analyse data to describe the nature, location and extent of the selected challenge apply geographical understanding by extrapolating from their analysis to generalise about the impacts on sustainability and liveability for the place in Australia synthesise information from the analysis to propose action/s for managing the identified challenge to improve liveability and sustainability for the place in Australia transform primary data collected in the field using cartographic, graphic and mathematical skills, spatial technologies and ICT to communicate findings in a fieldwork report.
Topic 2: Managing challenges facing a megacity
Unit 2: Planning sustainable places > Topic 2: Managing challenges facing a megacity
- Explain features of global population growth and the processes of urbanisation that have resulted in the rise of megacities
- Recognise and represent the spatial patterns of megacity distribution across the world and the spatial change in this pattern over time
- Identify the impacts of urbanisation and the growth of megacities for human wellbeing and environments using various forms of data and information and spatial technologies. Consider risks and opportunities posed by rate of urban growth population density changing land use and consumption of land formal and informal economies settlement infrastructure and land tenure risk and vulnerability to natural hazards and disasters
- Describe the challenges for sustainable development facing megacities in developing countries compared with challenges facing megacities in developed countries, including climate change employment housing transport sanitation health and education services provision of fresh water and energy land availability waste management
- Explain how urban planning, including the eco-city model, can be used in the development of resilient cities to mitigate and adapt to the future impacts of urbanisation
- Conduct a case study to investigate a significant challenge faced by a selected megacity in a developing country in Africa, Asia or South America. As part of this case study, students must manipulate, adapt, and transform data, using spatial and information and communication technologies, to represent and describe the nature and extent of urban growth for a selected megacity identify a specific geographical challenge for the selected city analyse data and information to describe the nature and extent of the selected challenge apply geographical understanding by extrapolating from their analysis to explain the impacts for people and/or environments in the selected megacity investigate a range of planning strategies that could be used to address the selected challenge for future sustainability and liveability of megacities synthesise information from the analysis to propose action that will improve sustainability and liveability of the megacity investigated
- Communicate understanding of the identified challenge and planning for sustainable outcomes for a megacity in the developing world.
Unit 3: Responding to land cover transformations
Topic 1: Land cover transformations and climate change
Unit 3: Responding to land cover transformations > Topic 1: Land cover transformations and climate change
- Identify the spatial distribution of the different types of land cover, including global forests, wetlands, ice, croplands, rangelands and urban land use
- Explain the interconnection between Earth’s physical systems and how changes in land use, such as deforestation, land drainage, land reclamation, resource extraction, intensification of agriculture and pastoralism, coastal modification, and soil and water degradation can interrupt these systems and result in land cover transformation at global and regional scales
- Recognise the spatial patterns of land cover change at a variety of scales, using remotely sensed images and aerial photographs
- Explain how selected factors, such as world population growth, growing affluence and advances in technology, have had an impact on the rate and extent of land cover change at a variety of scales
- Explain the concept of anthropogenic biomes
- Explain, using conceptual models, the key processes and relationships associated with global climatic systems, including global winds precipitation patterns ocean circulation, e.g. El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Arctic Oscillation, North Atlantic Oscillation or the Indian Ocean Dipole
- Identify, using evidence, how anthropogenic activity (such as changes in land use) may be influencing climate change
- Describe the interconnections between land cover change and climate change, including the impact of land cover loss on natural carbon sequestration the impact of land cover loss on surface reflectivity (albedo)
- Analyse data, using models and modelling, to interpret current and future indicators of climate change and generalise about the implications for people and environments, including temperature precipitation sea surface temperature
- Conduct a case study to investigate the effects of climate change on a specific type of land cover (for example, vegetation, ice sheets and glaciers, coral reefs) at a regional or local scale of study. As part of this case, students must manipulate, adapt or transform data, using spatial and information & communication technologies, to represent and describe the nature and extent of the land cover change being investigated analyse data and information to explain the interconnection between changes in climate on the biophysical processes associated with the specific land cover change apply geographical understanding by extrapolating from their analysis to generalise about the impacts these changes will have on people, places and environments (e.g. pattern and location of transport systems, location of hospitals and emergency services, location of energy infrastructure, location of commercial, retail and education facilities) synthesise information from the analysis to propose current or future responses (e.g. international or governmental agreements, non-government responses, national or regional strategies or local initiatives) to adapt to or mitigate (e.g. defend or retreat) the risks associated with climate change for future sustainability
- Communicate understanding of the impact of climate change on a particular type of land cover and the challenges for sustainable responses
Topic 2: Responding to local land cover transformations
Unit 3: Responding to land cover transformations > Topic 2: Responding to local land cover transformations
- Explain the geographical processes that result in particular physical features (e.g. dunes systems, river systems, deserts, forests, grasslands) that shape the identity of places at the local level
- Explain the importance of Aboriginal peoples’ and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ connection to Country/Place and understanding of natural features and elements of the local ecosystem/s, e.g. dunes systems, river systems, deserts, grasslands
- Interpret land use maps to identify where changing land cover (e.g. deforestation, land reclamation, agricultural practices, urbanisation, land drainage, pastoralism, mining) has had an impact on the biophysical environment in the local area
- Identify Aboriginal peoples’ and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ care for land (as applicable to their local area, where relevant) and the impacts of these practices on land cover over time
- Explain geographical processes that have contributed to land cover change in a local area, including anthropogenic processes, e.g. urbanisation and resource exploitation natural processes, e.g. natural hazards
- Recognise the spatial changes to land cover at the local level and represent these on maps using spatial technologies
- Identify the implications for environments and people of the changing land cover, including spiritual and cultural features for Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples, where relevant
- Use a conceptual model to identify a local land or water management challenge, e.g. threats to biodiversity, reduced water quality or availability, diminished riparian habitat, salinity, loss of coastal protection through diminished mangroves or dune systems, waste management (e.g. landfill), coral reef loss or destruction
- Conduct a field study for assessment purposes to collect primary data for investigating a land or water management challenge on a local scale. As part of this field study, students must use an inquiry approach to develop a plan and carry out fieldwork for investigating a local land or water management challenge identify the methodology to be used, data required and appropriate methods for data collection analyse data gathered to describe the nature, location and extent of the selected challenge apply geographical understanding by extrapolating from their analysis to generalise about the impacts on people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, where relevant, and the sustainability of the environment for the place being investigated synthesise information from the analysis to propose action for managing the identified challenge to create or improve sustainability transform primary data collected in the field using cartographic, graphic and mathematical skills, spatial technologies and ICT to communicate findings in a fieldwork report.
Unit 4: Managing population change
view_agenda query_statsTopic 1: Population challenges in Australia
view_agenda query_statsUnit 4: Managing population change > Topic 1: Population challenges in Australia
- Describe key demographic concepts, including birth, death and fertility rates, life expectancy, age/sex structure and migration rates
- Explain how demographic processes result in changes to populations, including rates of natural increase and decrease, and overall population increases
- Explain how changes to populations are influenced by factors such as advances in health care and life expectancy, the changing role of women in society and birth rates, the impact of disease on death rates, migration policies over time, and amenity
- Analyse primary data (ABS census data) relating to each of the key demographic concepts (birth, death and fertility rates, life expectancy, age/sex structure, and migration rates) to identify population patterns and trends in Australia
- Recognise and represent the population patterns and trends in each key demographic concept for Australia, using spatial technologies and information and communication technologies
- Identify implications for people and places of demographic change, including migration
- Conduct a geographic inquiry using primary data, for assessment purposes, to investigate a specific demographic challenge for a selected place in Australia at a local scale, e.g. a regional city, a suburb, or a rural town.
- Describe the demographic characteristics for the selected place in Australia
- Recognise and represent demographic change over time using spatial and information and communication technologies (i.e. cartographic and graphical representations)
- Analyse primary demographic data using the common formulas for this unit and other mathematical models, including dependency ratio, to identify and explain a demographic challenge for the place in Australia (e.g. ageing population, youth population, population decline, rapid population growth)
- Explain the geographical and/or demographic factors that have contributed to the challenge (e.g. birth and death rates, migration flows, amenity, employment)
- Apply geographical understanding by extrapolating from their analysis to generalise about the impacts of the demographic challenge in the selected place (e.g. resource management, workforce participation, ethnic and cultural diversity, housing, infrastructure)
- Synthesise information from the analysis to propose action in response to the identified challenge for the place in Australia
- Manipulate, adapt or transform the initial provided data and further gathered primary data using spatial technologies and ICT to prepare data for analysis using cartographic, graphic and mathematical skills, spatial and information and communication technologies to communicate geographical understanding in a data report
Topic 2: Global population change
view_agenda query_statsUnit 4: Managing population change > Topic 2: Global population change
- Describe global population characteristics, focusing on demographic concepts of the rate of natural change, including birth rate, death rate, infant mortality rate, fertility rate, life expectancy and age/sex structure
- Explain the demographic processes that cause variations in the spatial distributions of global population characteristics, including population momentum
- Describe changes in world population distribution, including internal and international migration since the 1700s, and the projected changes in the 21st century
- Explain how population trends and characteristics have been described over time using models (e.g. Demographic Transition Model; Rostow's Stages of Growth Model; Wallerstein's World-Systems theory) and decide whether these are still applicable to describe contemporary and projected population changes
- Recognise current population growth, distribution and density and represent global population patterns in maps, using spatial technologies and identify relationships and implications for people
- Explain the causes of internal migrations, both forced and voluntary, as a result of human factors (including social, cultural, political and economic factors such as conflict, labour supply and demand, family reunion, religious or cultural persecution, poverty, food security, governance) and/or geographical and environmental processes (e.g. large-scale flooding or drought, ecological breakdown)
- Explain the causes of international migrations, both forced and voluntary, as a result of human factors as for internal migrations (including social, cultural, political and economic factors such as conflict, labour supply and demand, family reunion, religious or cultural persecution, poverty, food security, governance), and other factors (e.g. educational opportunities and/or geographic and environmental processes such as large-scale flooding, drought or ecological breakdown) and other factors (e.g. climate change)
- Conduct a case study to identify the impacts on places of origin (e.g. declining populations, gender imbalance, employment opportunities, decline in agricultural production) and places of destination (e.g. urbanisation, ghettoisation, resource availability) as a result of internal or international migrations, for a place in the developing world. As part of this case study, students should
- Explain the geographical processes that have resulted in migration (internal and/or international) to the place under investigation
- Manipulate, adapt and transform data, using spatial and information and communication technologies to represent and describe the geographic patterns and trends in population flows for the place under investigation
- Analyse data and information to explain the changing characteristics of populations for the place under investigation as a result of migration (internal and/or international), e.g. population growth rates and characteristics, and the changing characteristics of the places/places of origin, e.g. declining populations, change age/sex structure
- Apply geographical understanding by extrapolating from their analysis to identify the impacts on places of origin (e.g. workforce structure, population momentum) and the impacts on the place of destination (e.g. ghettoisation, urbanisation, cultural and ethnic diversity) being investigated