3B Course Outline for Geography – ATAR Year 12
Week
Content
Assessments
Term 2
8
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9-10
Semester 1 Exam – feedback,
o Individual review, what makes a
good extended answer?
Introduction to the Geography of
Climate Change, “The Age of Stupid”
Differentiate between the terms weather
and climate (apply to Perth)
Normal variations versus permanent
change
Climate change data – direct data and proxy
data
Identify the purpose and layers of the
atmosphere.
Explain the concept of climate change.
 What it is, what it is not
 Natural and Anthropogenic
phenomenon
Outline the key elements [which are the
characteristics, processes and variations] of
the following natural systems:
1. heat budget (including the greenhouse
effect),
2. hydrological cycle,
3. carbon cycle,
4. atmospheric circulation
11
Describe how these natural systems interact to Assessment 1
influence the earth’s climate.
– Short/
extended
Identify the spatial distribution of the world’s response
rainfall and temperature patterns.
Term 3
1
Data integrity – how reliable are the methods of
collecting data?
Outline one major type of evidence for climate
change through geological time - sea level
changes.
2
Outline one major type of evidence for climate
change in recent human history - frequency of
extreme weather events (and sea level change).
Account for [reasons for different phases, and
Assessment 2
impacts of] climatic cycles and variations as a
– Virtual
result of these three natural processes:
fieldwork
El Nino and La Nina Southern
Oscillation (ENSO)
 Volcanic Eruptions
 Indian Ocean Dipole
Explain how the following cultural patterns and
processes and their interaction with natural
systems affect climate change: Anthropogenic
causes of climate change
 agricultural land use (land clearing for
farming)
 urban land use (urban sprawl, pollution,
urban heat island effect and water
management)

3
4
Explain how climate change alters the location Assessment 3
and distribution of natural environments:
– Mapping
• Biomes and terrestrial ecosystems
test
• Zonal soils
• Erosion, weathering and landforms
• Oceans and marine ecosystems
5
Examine how climate change alters the spatial Assessment 4
patterns of urban settlements and industry – Short/
(especially coastal communities and climate extended
refugees)
response
6
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

7
Discussion on the key factors that impact upon
decisions about sustainability
 Environmental (biodiversity, resource
consumption and waste)
 economic, (energy management)
 social (social equity)
 political factors (planning)
8
Discuss the current and proposed strategies Assessment 6 implemented to mitigate the adverse effects of Short/
climate change
extended
Decisions about sustainability
Assessment 5 Explain the concept of sustainability
Geographical
Outline the extent to which climate change Inquiry
impacts upon sustainability from local to
global scales
Discuss how human activity has adapted or may
be required to adapt to climate change.
Outline
the
different
viewpoints
which
stakeholders have towards strategies that aim to
minimise the effects of climate change - Sceptics
versus Supporters
9/10
Revision
Term 4
1
Semester 2 Exam
response