TY Geography/European Studies

Continuing our profile of TY subjects, Head of Geography Mr Sherwood writes:

To date we have adhered to the schedule as indicated in the European Studies Programme. In the Michaelmas Term we studied contemporary Europe from the end of the second W.W. We looked at the institutions that govern the E.U. and learnt the locations of countries, capitals. major rivers, seas, mountain ranges and climates.

We established Contact Sheets, drew up Personal Profiles and forwarded our European Celebrities as role models to our affiliated schools in Denmark, Norway, Northern Ireland, France and Romania.

Computing skills have been tested by each pupil presenting a PowerPoint presentation on a European country of their choice. A minimum of 7 slides was required to achieve this. The Michaelmas examinations tested the work to date.

Hilary Term has seen us embark on a researched, hand-written and portfolio-bound study of the European Treaties since the Treaty of Rome in 1957, outlining the significant changes that the five subsequent treaties have brought about. Each pupil also undertakes to present a PowerPoint presentation on an aspect of a European primary industry. The pupil must stand in front of the class and teach the subject they have researched to their peer group. This is a most beneficial undertaking employing many skills they will need in later life.

The second half of this term will see a similar research topic based on a European Manufactured Product, e.g. Ferrari, Chanel, etc. which the pupils present and grade each other in terms of computer proficiency and knowledge gained.

In early November we visited the European Public Information Center in Molesworth Street where we watched a DVD on today's Europe, enjoyed a quiz, and collected important resource materials for our coursework.

This stand alone course provides valuable material for a modern citizen of Europe. It tests and encourages independent thinking and enhances their computer skills while at the same time demanding they can present an accomplished piece of research to a known audience.