REVIEW OF VCE GEOGRAPHY
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE STUDY DESIGN
GENERAL CHANGES
The review process for VCE Geography focused on:

Increased specificity within areas of study. This is demonstrated in a number of ways. The key
knowledge generally contains greater detail, for example to clearly distinguish what is a general
investigation from a specific case study. Case studies in Units 3 and 4 are selected from a given
list. The key skills are underpinned by tools outlined on pages 9–11 of the study design. A format
for the fieldwork report assessment task is given on page 7. This increase in specificity is closely
linked to clearly identifying the level of cognitive demand expected from the proposed study.

Updating of content and concepts. Content across all four units has been significantly revised.
There is a greater emphasis on depth, with the focus of each unit a selected significant
contemporary issue or distinctive phenomenon that facilitates the application of the key concepts
and disciplinary frameworks. The spatial concepts of the current study have been revised to a list
of ten key geographical concepts. The spatial concepts of location, scale, distance, distribution,
movement, region and spatial association have been retained, with sustainability, change and
process replacing spatial change over time and spatial interaction.

Containment of workload. Assessment tasks are more tightly specified, particularly in Units 3
and 4. Time limits or word limits have been introduced to indicate appropriate workload.
SPECIFIC CHANGES
Unit 1
Unit 1: Hazards
i.
Area of Study 1: Characteristics of hazards
ii.
Area of Study 2: Responses to hazards
The current study investigates characteristics of natural environments and changes in natural
environments, with a study of natural processes, including extreme events. The proposed study
focuses on the characteristics and responses to two contrasting types of hazards, classified by
geological, atmospheric, biological and technological causes to allow for a study of interconnection
between causes.
Unit 2
Unit 2: Human population
i.
Area of Study 1: Population dynamics
ii.
Area of Study 2: Population issues
The study of human population continues to be a feature of VCE Geography but is located in Unit 2
rather than Unit 4. This recognises that a study of population is desirable though not essential
background to Units 3 and 4. A study of population dynamics over time and space in Area of Study 1
prepares students for a study of population issues and resulting challenges that have developed in
different parts of the world. Students study at least two significant issues in Area of Study 2, selected
from:

Impact of population growth on food security in a major region

International labour movements

Long term migration

International refugees
©VCAA April 2014
VCE GEOGRAPHY
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES

Impact of international tourism

Gender issues, reflected in, for example, access to education, employment opportunities

Ageing population
Unit 3
Unit 3: Urban change
i.
Area of Study 1: Urban land uses
ii.
Area of Study 2: Local urban changes
iii.
Area of Study 3: Megacities
Regional resources has been replaced with a study of urban change. The structure and function of
urban environments plays a critical role in the living standards available for present and future
generations. In this unit students examine three urban land use models and investigate the nature of
change in urban areas and its consequences, with Australia studied in Area of Study 1, a local area in
Area of Study 2 and megacities in Area of Study 3. They carry out fieldwork in a local region to gain
an insight into land use changes and test compatibility with the theoretical models.
Unit 4
Unit 4: Changing oceans and land
i.
Area of Study 1: Oceans
ii.
Area of Study 2: Land cover changes
Global perspectives has been replaced with a study of oceans in area of study one and land cover
changes in area of study two. The major characteristics of the Earth’s oceans including their
distribution, scale, temperature, salinity, currents and floor are examined in Area of Study 1. Students
select an ocean current for investigation, gaining an understanding of its impact on climate and
weather and ocean temperatures and its importance to natural environments and human activities.
Responses to a challenge to environments, places and people such as the recurring El Nino
phenomena, the melting of the Greenland ice cap and the management of fishing grounds are
investigated.
Area of Study 2 focuses on land cover changes, emphasising the change in vegetation land cover in
South East Asia and in one selected country in particular. An examination of the processes of change
leads to an understanding of the interconnection of human activities and the impact of changes on
environments. Students investigate the effectiveness or likely effectiveness of a selected response to
these impacts.
Assessment
Outcome statements in all areas of study across Units 1 to 4 have been altered to reflect the focus of
the unit.
Units 1 and 2 Outcome statements
Current Study Outcome Statements
Consultation Draft Outcome Statements
Unit 1
Area of Study 1
Describe the geographic characteristics of at least
two natural environments and explain how they
are developed by natural processes, including
extreme natural events
Unit 1
Area of Study 1
Analyse, describe and explain the nature of hazards at a
range of scales.
Area of Study 2
Area of Study 2
Analyse and explain the nature, purpose and
effectiveness of a range of responses to selected hazards
Analyse and explain the changes in natural
environments die to natural processes and human
activity
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VCE GEOGRAPHY
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES
Current Study Outcome Statements
Consultation Draft Outcome Statements
Unit 2
Area of Study 1
Describe and explain the geographic
characteristics of different types of rural and urban
environments
Unit 2
Area of Study 1
Analyse, describe and explain the geographic
characteristics of the human population on a global scale
Area of Study 2
Analyse and explain changes due to human
activities in rural and urban environments
Area of Study 2
Analyse, describe and explain the nature of significant
population issues and resulting challenges in different
parts of the world and discuss responses
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VCE GEOGRAPHY
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES
Unit 3 Outcome Statements
Current Study Outcome
Statements
Consultation Draft Outcome
Statements
Outcome 1
Analyse the use and management
of water within the Murray-Darling
Basin region and evaluate its future
sustainability
Outcome 1
Analyse, describe and explain the
nature of urban land use models
and urban land uses in Australia
Outcome 2
Describe characteristics of a local
resource and justify a policy for its
future use and management using
data collected in the field
Outcome 2
Analyse changes in urban
environment zones and evaluate
their relevance to urban land use
models
Marks
allocated
Assessment tasks
20
Data analysis (50–60 minutes)
40
Structured questions
(50–60 minutes) and fieldwork
report (2000–2500 words)
Outcome 3
Explain a range of causes and
impacts of rapid urban growth in the
context of a selected megacity and
discuss responses and strategies to
the challenges posed by this
growth.
40
Total marks
100
Case study (1000–1500 words)
*School-assessed Coursework for Unit 3 contributes 25 per cent.
Unit 4 Outcome Statements
Current Study Outcome
Statements
Consultation Draft Outcome
Statements
Outcome 1
Evaluate the relative importance of
factors that affect changes in
human population and one other
selected global phenomenon
Outcome 1
Analyse and describe the major
characteristics of oceans, analyse
one ocean current and evaluate
responses to a challenge involving
this ocean current.
Outcome 2
Compare and evaluate the
effectiveness of responses and
policies to manage a global
phenomenon from a global
perspective
Outcome 2
Analyse and describe global land
cover, analyse change to vegetation
land cover in South East Asia and
discuss responses to the impacts of
this change.
Total marks
Marks
allocated
Assessment tasks
50
Report (1500–2000 words)
50
Structured questions
(100–120 minutes)
100
*School-assessed Coursework for Unit 4 contributes 25 per cent.
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