Geography

What is Geography today?

Geography is the science which seeks to explain the character of places and the distribution of people, features and events as they occur over the surface of the earth. Its special characteristics are its breadth of study, its span of methodology, its synthesis of work from other disciplines including Physical Science and the Humanities and its interest in the future management of people-environment inter-relationships.

Why choose Geography?

It is no longer the "old" Geography of learning countries, capitals and flags, and the colouring in of maps. The teaching of Geography is now conceptually based with the emphasis on student involvement in problem solving, decision-making, data analysis, empathy and mapping. Other practical skills are acquired through fieldwork, environmental investigations, information technology (GIS). This diversity in skills and content is exclusive to Geography and helps to create a balanced, well-rounded perspective in our student. It is:

"Exciting demanding, relevant and worthwhile - it prepares pupils to critically understand and fully participate in the changing worlds in which they live" -- Ashley Kent

"When studying Geography, you will learn from the real world, about the real world and in the real world". -- Wits University

Why is Geography useful?

Geography is the bridge between Arts and Science, providing the flexibility in career choice. It aims to instil in students a better understanding of the inter-relatedness of all things, both in the natural and in the built environment. To make students aware of fundamental geographical concepts and relate these to their surroundings, be it at school, shopping, on holiday (in South Africa and overseas). Geographers love to travel!

Career Opportunities with Geography

Geographers learn skills employers want, and which are transferable to many different careers:

  • Good communication skills
  • Team work
  • Management skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Numeracy
  • People who ask questions and find the answers
  • Computer literacy
  • Spatial awareness
  • Environmental and social awareness

Geography provides a holistic education and examines many complex problems which all require a multi-disciplinary approach. This holistic approach equips Geographers with the ability to view issues from a variety of perspectives and helps make Geographers highly marketable in many career fields.

Geography allows students to enter a wide variety of jobs, the obvious being teaching or education, weather forecasting or town planning and the like. Due to the various links with science and technology, a geographical background is also useful in such diverse jobs such as journalism, law, medical studies - the list is endless.

The following careers are options with Geography:

  • Research; CSIR; HSRC
  • Remote Sensing & Cartography
  • Surveying & mapping
  • Meteorology & Climatology
  • Environmental Management
  • Town Planning
  • Engineering
  • Advertising; Marketing; Exporting
  • Sports Management
  • Information Services (e.g. GIS, film making etc)
  • Travel, leisure & tourism
  • Teaching; Social work
  • Environmental Law
  • Mining; Geology & Soil Science

Geography applies theory to reality, and it is part of every person's life- everyday! It is always in the news.

"When I look at the beautiful mountains surrounding the Franschhoek valley, I don't just see mountains, I understand them."