Csec geography syllabus

OVERVIEW OF THE Geography SYLLABUS

The CSEC Geography syllabus is structured around three key dimensions:

  1. Content/Knowledge – What students are expected to know.

  2. Skills and Abilities – What students are expected to do.

  3. Attitudes and Values – The perspectives students are expected to develop.

The syllabus aims to:

  • Develop geographical knowledge and understanding.

  • Foster map reading, fieldwork, and data analysis skills.

  • Promote environmental awareness and sustainable development thinking.

  • Prepare students for further studies or careers related to geography and environmental science.

🔷 GENERAL OBJECTIVES

These are broad objectives that underpin the entire syllabus:

  1. Develop an understanding of geographical phenomena and the interaction between human and natural environments.

  2. Apply geographical principles to everyday situations.

  3. Develop geographical skills such as observation, analysis, and field techniques.

  4. Cultivate attitudes of responsibility and stewardship toward the environment.

🔷 SYLLABUS STRUCTURE

The syllabus is divided into three main sections, each with multiple themes and specific objectives.

🌍 SECTION A: MAP READING AND FIELD STUDY

1. Map Reading and Interpretation

  • Use of topographic maps.

  • Understanding conventional signs and symbols.

  • Grid references (four- and six-figure).

  • Direction, bearing, and compass points.

  • Measuring distance and calculating scale.

  • Contour lines and interpreting relief.

  • Cross-sections and transects.

  • Interpretation of land use, settlement patterns, and physical features.

  • Relationship between physical and human features on maps.

2. Field Study

  • Planning and conducting fieldwork.

  • Stating aims and hypotheses.

  • Methods of data collection (interviews, questionnaires, observation).

  • Field sketching and photography.

  • Data analysis and presentation.

  • Drawing conclusions and evaluations.

  • Writing a formal report.

🌋 SECTION B: NATURAL SYSTEMS

This section focuses on the physical geography of the Caribbean and the world.

1. Plate Tectonics, Earthquakes, and Volcanoes

  • Structure of the Earth.

  • Types of plate boundaries.

  • Earthquakes: causes, effects, and measurement.

  • Volcanoes: formation, types, and impacts.

  • Case studies (e.g., Montserrat eruption, Haiti earthquake).

2. Landform Processes and Development

  • Weathering (mechanical, chemical, biological).

  • Mass wasting.

  • River processes: erosion, transportation, deposition.

  • Landforms: waterfalls, meanders, deltas, floodplains.

  • Coastal processes and features.

  • Karst/topography: features like caves, stalactites, sinkholes.

3. Weather and Climate

  • Elements of weather: temperature, humidity, rainfall, wind.

  • Weather instruments and interpretation of data.

  • Climatic types: Tropical Marine, Tropical Continental, etc.

  • Hurricanes and droughts: causes, impacts, responses.

  • Climate change and global warming (basic understanding).

4. Vegetation and Soils

  • Types of vegetation in the Caribbean.

  • Characteristics of soil types.

  • Relationship between climate, vegetation, and soil.

  • Soil conservation and degradation.

🏙️ SECTION C: HUMAN SYSTEMS

This section examines how humans interact with their environment.

1. Population and Settlement

  • Population growth and distribution.

  • Population pyramids and demographic indicators.

  • Migration: causes and effects.

  • Types of settlements (rural, urban).

  • Functions of settlements.

  • Urbanization and associated issues (slums, traffic, pollution).

2. Agriculture

  • Types of agriculture: subsistence, commercial, intensive, extensive.

  • Factors affecting agriculture (climate, soil, topography, market).

  • Farming systems in the Caribbean.

  • Problems facing agriculture and solutions.

  • Agro-industries and sustainable farming.

3. Mining and Quarrying

  • Importance to Caribbean economies.

  • Types of minerals mined (bauxite, petroleum).

  • Environmental impacts of mining.

  • Strategies for sustainable extraction.

4. Tourism

  • Role of tourism in Caribbean economies.

  • Types of tourism (eco-tourism, mass tourism).

  • Benefits and problems.

  • Sustainable tourism practices.

5. Manufacturing and Industry

  • Types of industries (light, heavy, cottage).

  • Industrial locations and factors influencing them.

  • Industrial development in the Caribbean.

  • Environmental and social impacts.

6. Energy

  • Types: renewable and non-renewable.

  • Energy production and consumption in the Caribbean.

  • Problems and potential for renewable energy.

🔷 SKILLS EMPHASIZED

  • Map Reading: Core geographic skill tested in Paper 1 and 2.

  • Data Analysis: Interpreting graphs, tables, climate data, etc.

  • Fieldwork Techniques: Essential for SBA (School-Based Assessment).

  • Critical Thinking: Evaluating case studies, environmental issues, and solutions.

🔷 SCHOOL-BASED ASSESSMENT (SBA)

The SBA is a mandatory component for school candidates and is worth 25% of the final mark.

SBA STRUCTURE:

  • A written field study report based on primary data collected by the student.

  • Should include:

    • Title page

    • Table of contents

    • Introduction

    • Aim(s) of the study

    • Methodology

    • Data presentation (charts, tables, maps)

    • Analysis and interpretation

    • Findings

    • Conclusion

    • Bibliography

    • Appendix

SBA Requirements:

  • Must be based on fieldwork (e.g., river study, settlement pattern, tourism impact).

  • Word count: approx. 1500-2000 words.

  • Should reflect individual effort, though group data collection is allowed.

🔷 ASSESSMENT FORMAT

There are two external exams plus the SBA.

Paper 1 – Multiple Choice (1 hour 30 minutes)

  • 60 questions.

  • Covers entire syllabus.

  • 60 marks (30% of final grade).

Paper 2 – Structured Essay Paper (2 hours 30 minutes)

  • 10 questions in three sections (A, B, and C).

  • Students must answer one question from each section + one other.

  • 100 marks total (45% of final grade).

Paper 3/1 – SBA (for school candidates)

  • 25 marks (25% of final grade).

Paper 3/2 – Alternative to SBA (for private candidates)

  • Practical paper testing fieldwork skills.

  • 25 marks (25% of final grade).

🔷 CASE STUDIES AND REGIONAL CONTEXT

  • Students are expected to use real-world examples and Caribbean-based case studies.

  • Teachers should encourage the use of local environments for fieldwork and examples.

Examples:

  • Montserrat – Volcanic eruption.

  • Haiti – Earthquake.

  • Jamaica – Tourism.

  • Trinidad – Oil and natural gas.

  • Guyana – Bauxite mining.

  • St. Vincent – Agriculture and soil erosion.

🔷 RESOURCES REQUIRED

Students and teachers should have access to:

  • Topographic maps (usually 1:50,000 scale).

  • A weather instrument kit.

  • Atlases and GIS resources.

  • Climate graphs and population pyramids.

  • Case study material from news reports, documentaries, and CXC guidelines.

🔷 PREPARATION TIPS

  • Practice past papers regularly.

  • Learn to sketch and interpret diagrams.

  • Conduct actual fieldwork or simulations.

  • Use mnemonics to remember physical processes.

  • Stay updated on Caribbean environmental and development issues.

If you'd like, I can also provide:

  • A sample SBA report.

  • Study plan or timetable.

  • Breakdown of common topics and question types per paper.

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