Subject content
Three Core Units
- Unit 1. Patterns and processes in the physical environment.
- Unit 2. Regional geography.
- Unit 3. Geographical investigation. *
Two Elective Units
- Elective unit 4 Patterns and processes in economic activities. or
- Elective unit 5 Patterns and processes in the human environment.
Four Optional Units (Higher level students only)
- Optional unit 6 Global interdependence or
- Optional unit 7 Geoecology or
- Optional unit 8 Culture and identity or
- Optional unit 9 The Atmosphere-Ocean environment
As part of this new syllabus, the teaching of geographical skills will be integrated into each of the units of core, elective and optional units where appropriate. The core geographical skills will also be used and applied in the preparation of the Geographical Investigation which is to be completed in year 2 of the programme and is worth 20 % of the final grade.
It is within this structure that students will be expected to demonstrate their proficiency in the widest range of skills appropriate to their chosen investigation. The learning of and the use and application of geographical skills is central to a student’s experience of Leaving Certificate Geography.
Exam Structure
Leaving Certificate Geography is assessed at Ordinary and Higher level in ascending order of difficulty. There are two assessment components:
- Examination paper 80%. This is a two and a half hour paper with an optional 20 mins.
- Report on a Geographical Investigation 20%
Written Paper
Part One - 80 mks.
Answer 10 questions from 12.
Part Two – 320 mks
You must attempt 4 questions, as follows:
Two questions from Section 1 (Core), One question from Section 2 (Electives), One question from Section 3 (Options)
Ordinary level students study all core units and one of the elective units. Higher level students study all core units, one of the elective units and one of the optional units.
Comment
The new revised Leaving Certificate geography syllabus has a core, elective and option structure and is an extension of the Junior Certificate geography programme. Consequently, potential students should ideally score a ‘merit’ or higher at Junior Cycle to have any realistic hope of attempting this new revised programme.