Australia · ACARA Content Descriptions
Year 8 Geography
This course explores the dynamic nature of the world through the lenses of landforms, landscapes, and the shifting patterns of human migration. Students investigate the processes that shape the Earth and the social and economic factors that drive urbanization and global connections.
Landforms and Landscapes
An investigation into the geomorphic processes that create diverse landscapes and the cultural significance of landforms to different people.
Students examine the tectonic and erosional forces that create mountains, valleys, and coastal features.
Exploring how different cultures, particularly Indigenous Australians, perceive and value specific landforms.
Analyzing the impact of geomorphic hazards like landslides and volcanoes on human settlements.
Changing Nations
A study of human population shifts, focusing on the causes and consequences of urbanization and internal migration.
Investigating the global trend of people moving from rural areas to large cities.
Examining the social and environmental challenges of living in cities with over ten million inhabitants.
Analyzing the movement of people within Australia and its impact on regional and urban centers.
Geographies of Interconnection
Examining how people, places, and environments are connected through trade, technology, and travel.
Tracing the path of everyday products to understand the complexity of global supply chains.
Exploring how the internet and social media have changed the way we interact with the world.
Evaluating the economic and environmental effects of global travel on popular destinations.
Water in the World
A deep dive into water as a renewable but finite resource and the challenges of water scarcity.
Understanding how water moves through the landscape and the importance of healthy river systems.
Analyzing the causes of water shortages and the strategies used to secure water for the future.
Coastal Management
Studying the unique pressures on coastal environments and the strategies used to protect them.
Investigating how waves, tides, and currents shape the Australian coastline.
Evaluating soft and hard engineering strategies used to combat coastal erosion.
Geographical Inquiry
A capstone unit where students apply geographical tools to investigate a local issue.
Students learn to formulate complex questions that guide a geographical investigation.
Practical application of primary data collection techniques in the local environment.
Synthesizing data to present geographical conclusions and proposed actions.