A Level AQA Country Case Studies

Detailed country case studies, organised by spec topic area, allowing students to develop meaningful synoptic links between topics and a deeper understanding of the geographies of place.

I really like the completeness of this resource... All the specific detail that you need and by linking in the AO1 AO2 and AO3 throughout really helps with students' application of knowledge... It covers a wide range of aspects from the specification particularly on the place study knowledge for case studies

S Messenger, Assistant Headteacher & Peer Reviewer

Build up a picture of each chosen location as you teach through the spec:

  • Learn and deliver fewer case studies in greater depth, whilst covering the full specification
  • Return to familiar locations throughout the course
  • Gives opportunities to revise and add synoptic links to previous topics throughout the year

Each case study covers a number of topics exemplified by the region, providing a comprehensive study companion, springboard images to encourage enquiry-led class discussion and short questions with answers to check comprehension.

Longer-answer exam-style questions allows students to practice using case studies in an exam scenario. Model answers with examiner-style comments give expectations for the exam and allow for self-marking.

Plus! Includes hand-illustrated, customisable "Country on a Page" for each case study! Students gradually build up a complete cross-topic case study mind map as the A Level progresses.

Follows the specification to the letter!

C Tarantino-Hind, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

Country

Spec Topic

Case Study

Japan

3.1.3 Coastal systems and landscapes

A contrasting coastal landscape beyond the UK – Tokyo Bay

3.1.5 Hazards

Multi-hazardous environment beyond the UK – Tectonics and Extreme Weather

3.2.4 Population and the environment

A country/society experiencing specific patterns of overall population change – Population in decline

3.2.4 Population and the environment

A specified area to illustrate and analyse the relationship between place and health – Hiroshima

3.2.5 Resource security

Resource issues in a specified regional setting – Energy – Electricity and Nuclear

China

3.2.1 Global systems and global governance

Detailed reference to a specified TNC and its impacts on those countries in which it operates – Huawei

3.2.2 Changing places

Contrasting place study: changing demographic and cultural characteristics

3.2.2 Changing places

Contrasting place study: economic change and social inequalities

3.2.3 Contemporary urban environments

Contrasting urban areas – Shenzen

3.2.5 Resource security

Resource issues in a specified regional setting – Water – North South Water Transfer Scheme

USA

3.1.3 Coastal systems and landscapes

A contrasting coastal landscape beyond the UK – Louisiana

3.1.4 Glacial systems and landscapes

A contrasting glaciated landscape from beyond the UK – Glaciers National Park

3.1.5 Hazards

Multi-hazardous environment beyond the UK – California

3.2.1 Global systems and global governance

Detailed reference to a specified TNC and its impacts on those countries in which it operates – Nike

3.2.2 Changing places

Contrasting place study: changing demographic and cultural characteristics

3.2.2 Changing places

Contrasting place study: economic change and social inequalities

Brazil

3.1.1 Water and carbon cycles

A tropical rainforest setting – The Amazon

3.2.1 Global systems and global governance

Detailed reference to a specified TNC and its impacts on those countries in which it operates – Food production – Beef

3.2.2 Changing places

Contrasting place study: changing demographic and cultural characteristics

3.2.2 Changing places

Contrasting place study: economic change and social inequalities

What do teachers say about this resource? (10651)

An excellent addition to the teaching resource library!
I like this Brazil Case Study as it includes a variety of information divided into clear and navigable subsections, making it easy to find the desired information quickly.

The fact that it covers some of the geographical skills, as well as the content for the Human and Physical units, is a real bonus. I like the fact it contains so much data, as it exposes the students to the level of detail that they should have when learning a case study.

It is written in an easy to understand format, but that it consistently uses the correct terminology. I also like the fact that any different parts of the specification are covered in one resource.

It is really detailed and comprehensive with a wide breadth of information available for students to access alongside questions that they can use to check their understanding of the information. I like the fact that the resource includes the specification and gives students the tools to go off and do their own research – particularly in ‘The Place Study’ section.

The resource covers most of the specification to some degree, clearly identified in the different sections. - It is a very detailed case study of a place and goes into lots of relevant detail about the patterns of the economy as well as information relating to environmental risks. It uses Assessment objectives to help students become more familiar with the mark scheme and the way work is assessed. Model answers are used to help understand how marks are awarded, as well as how the answer may be structured.

I think this is an excellent resource, that students will find very beneficial

C Turner, Head of Department & Peer Reviewer

The resource is well developed and the author has researched this topic thoroughly.
The resource stretches the thinking, allowing for active learning; the students will be involved in looking at the big picture: the trade of beef in Brazil, how chains like McDonald for example, are contributing to the Amazon deforestation, climate change, health problems (obesity and release of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, ...).
Numeracy is applied in the use of maps, data and graphs.
Follows the specification to the letter!
TNC; place study (far place): it explains in details how the students need to think and interpret a 'far place' and also gives two separate options, explains and gives examples of quantitative and qualitative data (which some students find difficult to differentiate); gives very specific examples of 'changing places', considering social inequalities, well being, sustainability and problems related to resources exploitation.
Very good.
A thorough resource that would be invaluable for A-Level teaching and also to stretch the GCSE higher attainers.

C Tarantino-Hind, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

What do teachers say about this resource? (10650)

Very comprehensive. Clearly written and liking to many parts of the specification. I particularly liked how it was written and the fact that there were model answers for the questions set. It allows the pupil to learn how one location/country can link to many parts of the specification. This provides greater depth for long mark questions.

C McNiece, Geography teacher & Peer Reviewer

This must have taken a long while to create and I was impressed with the detail and effort taken. This will be very useful to A level students who are time poor and need to have one go-to resource to cover many areas of their specification. It is set out and organised well so that the students can pick a particular area to focus on ie tectonic events. It reduces time and allows the students to pick out the elements needed for an exam question or revision easily. Great resource - hard to find something as detailed as this. 

A Mackenzie, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

I thought it was good. The fact that it does not require any significant alteration to be used with the course does make it well worth having.
The subject areas were broken in to well labelled sections that were relevant, regardless of what optional units the candidate did.
There is a good level of detail, which allows the teacher to differentiate tasks that are set. High ability students can develop their insights that have begun to be explored by the author. Less able students can be challenged to apply information to exam style questions or build alternative case studies to those outlined in the resource, for example.
Cleverly, it is separated up in to the units with bold headings so the resource can be used by classes as the units are being taught over the course.

S Cracknell, Head of Geography, Senior Examiner & Peer Reviewer

Covers a variety of topics and allows students to make connections between topics. I particularly like the set up, with each heading clearly identifying what is in each section. This would make it easy for students to find the section relevant to their learning.

H Burlton, Head of Geography at Robert Barclay Academy & Peer Reviewer

What do teachers say about this resource? (10652)

A great resource that helps students by focusing on one specific country rather than a multiple location around the world ... I really like the completeness of this resource. All the specific detail that you need and by linking in the AO1 AO2 and AO3 throughout really helps with students application of knowledge ... Students sometimes struggle not with the knowledge of the case study put the overall knowledge of a country and how particularly events are impacted by the overall countries level of development etc. This one stop shop really helps ... It covers a wide range of aspects from the specification particularly on the place study knowledge for case studies. I particularly like the place study for far away places

S Messenger, Assistant Headteacher & Peer Reviewer

Very good, wide range of examples for different aspects of the AQA a'level. I particularly found the sections on Coasts Louisiana and LA as a multi hazardous region useful. Being able to use examples of coastal processes in Louisiana allow for good cross curricular links to be made with hurricanes in this area ... a wide range of well resourced examples specific to the USA ... [matches and interprets this specification] very well

L Blackmore, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

Great for encouraging independent learning.

A really well-planned resource, obviously a great deal of time has been spent on this. Well done!

C Turner, Head of Department & Peer Reviewer

What do teachers say about this resource? (10653)

This resource is very good and the author has taken the time to research thoroughly every aspect about China both from a physical, human and environmental point of view.

I particularly liked the author's choice of TNC, Huawei, because it is a global brand and has been often in the news, especially with the recent UK ban.
The author has researched deeply into the origin, development and policies of this brand and has produced a really valuable resource.

This resource will save a lot of time researching for a Chinese TNC, as China is not always forthcoming with information about its own companies. The author has provided valuable links to Chinese websites that will help with the user's research.

The author has also offered the AO1/AO2 and comments for each answer to exam questions, which will help the students to understand how the questions need to be answered.

The resource is very good and would make an invaluable addition to teachers' A-Level material.

C Tarantino-Hind , Geography Teacher & Peer Reviewer

Provides a wide range of information about one country for a range of case studies. [Gives students] the opportunity to study the country (or aspects) through a wide range of topics. Recap of the themes in the Changing Places would be great for revision before carrying out the distant place study. I particularly like the question planning template for the practice examination question included AOs and sample answers.

The use of single country information for different topic-case studies might be helpful for retrieval compared to having different country case study for each topic.

A Adu-Boateng, Teacher & Peer Reviewer