Geography as a subject provides the student with an understanding of a wide and varied range of subjects including features on land, in the seas and in the atmosphere. It is an opportunity to become familiar with Earth’s greatest treasures and to be involved in an incredible journey.
Subject Aims
- To develop a knowledge and understanding of contrasting physical and human environments and of relationships that exists between them.
- To promote an awareness of the spatial and temporal patterns of environmental phenomena both human and physical and how they change over time.
- To understand the opportunities for and the challenges of global interdependence.
- To promote conservation and sustained management of the earth’s resources.
- To recognise and to be sensitive to other cultures.
- To develop a variety of geographical skills
- To encourage the use of IT.
- To provide students with an enjoyable experience.
New Junior Cycle
The principals of New Junior Cycle Education advocates that teaching and learning supports students in developing independence in learning and in meeting the challenges of life beyond school.
Geography as a subject embraces this changing philosophy and the specifications allow for a wide range of learning experiences for the student.
The student becomes geoliterate, is able to make interconnections between people, places, environment and so on and is aware of the interactions of human and natural systems and can make reasoned decisions based on this knowledge.
Subject Objectives
Students of Geography should be able to:
Acquire knowledge, an understanding of concepts and develop skills and attitudes through the geography topics dealt with in class.
Acquire information and develop an understanding of:
- Examples of physical environmental phenomena and processes relating to Ireland and elsewhere.
- Examples of social, cultural and economic phenomena and processes relating to Ireland and elsewhere.
- The nature and diversity of physical and cultural landscapes in Ireland and elsewhere.
- Gain an understanding of the key concepts, e.g. location, spatial distribution, area association, density, pattern, region and change over time.
Acquire, develop and practise skills in the following:
| Map interpretation | Figure interpretation |
| Photograph analysis | Numerical skills and calculation |
| Picture interpretation | Figure drawing |
| Map drawing | Fieldwork /Geographical investigation |
| Sampling |
Develop positive attitudes towards themselves, others and their environment. Such attitudes include:
- Willingness to perceive and evaluate natural and cultural phenomena from the point of view of others.
- Appreciation of social, cultural and environmental diversity.
- A responsible attitude towards the exploitation and conservation of resources.