• Login
  • Join Us
Royal Geographical Society with IBG
  • About us
  • Geography
  • Schools
  • Professionals
  • Research
  • In the field
  • What's on

Search the Society

Enter keyword or phrase...
Find
Royal Geographical Society with IBG
Back to Resources for schools

The Geography of Conflict

This module introduces students to the topical issue of conflict, a concept that can be challenging to teach. A particular focus of the module is the extent to which conflict can influence, and be influenced by, geography

  • Key Stage Three,
  • Module,
  • Global perspectives, geopolitics and development
  • Overview
  • Conflict today
  • The causes of conflict
  • The impact of conflict on geography
  • The impact of geography on conflict
  • The impact of conflict on development
  • Conflict and me

Through the study of historical and contemporary conflicts on a range of scales, each lesson encourages students to develop an awareness of the causes and impacts of conflict, and of the interconnectedness that results in links between conflict and their own lives. 

Conflict today

In the first lesson of the module, students define and differentiate between the concepts of conflict and war. They consider the scale (local to global) and chronology (historic to current) of conflicts that have occurred across the world and over time, and are introduced to the idea that the pattern of conflict in the world today can be mapped.

The causes of conflict

The majority of conflicts result from a narrow range of causes. In this second lesson, students consider these causes and apply their knowledge of them to consideration of where and why conflicts might arise in the future. In addition, the issue of climate change is explored as a contemporary cause of conflict through the example of water resource shortages in Darfur, western Sudan. 

The impact of conflict on geography

Conflict resulting from dispute over land or resource ownership can have a dramatic effect on world geography through the redefining of political boundaries. After the First World War, the map of Europe was redrawn following the Treaty of Versailles. In this lesson, students are asked to draw on their historical knowledge to consider the new geography of Europe that emerged at this time, before applying this to other conflicts which have had an impact on political boundaries.

The impact of geography on conflict

The physical geography of a place can have a major impact on conflict in terms of both the siting of defensive settlements and in battle. Its role was recognised in the victory of the Normans in the Battle of Hastings, and in more recent conflicts. Focusing on the case study of Iraq, this lesson encourages students to consider and explain the influence that the physical landscape can have on successful battle strategy.

The impact of conflict on development

This lesson focuses on Afghanistan. Using a list of suggested resources, students conduct an enquiry into the impact that the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan has had on the development of the country. They write up their results in the form of a report for the BBC News website, and participate in peer assessment of each other's work. 

Conflict and me

The final lesson of this module encourages students to consider and explain the links between themselves and conflict in different parts of the world. These links may take a variety of forms, some of which may come as a surprise to the students, for example the supply of coltan for mobile phone manufacture from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Drawing on the knowledge they have acquired throughout the unit, students prepare a Google Earth presentation to visually demonstrate the links. 

Development indicators and conflict interactive resource

Downloads

  • The Geography of Conflict Module Plan (.doc)
  • The Geography of Conflict Overview (.doc)
  • The Geography of Conflict Fact Sheet (.doc)
  • The Geography of Conflict - Improving the effectiveness and safety of landmine detection (.pdf)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 1 Lesson Plan (.doc)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 1 Definitions of Conflict (.ppt)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 1 KWL Grid (.doc)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 1 Conflict today activity (.pptx)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 1 worksheet map (.pptx)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 1 Patterns of Conflict Table (.doc)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 1 Modelling a Map (.ppt)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 1 Describing Patterns of a Map (.doc)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 1 Describing Patterns of a Map (.ppt)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 2 Lesson Plan (.doc)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 2 Causes of war poem (.doc)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 2 How to play conflict in Darfur instruction sheet (.doc)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 2 Conflict in Darfur board (.pdf)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 2 Counters and water tokens (.pdf)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 2 Flee or fight cards (.pdf)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 2 Darfur board game questions (.ppt)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 3 Lesson Plan (.doc)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 3 How does conflict affect geography (.ppt)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 3 Similarities and Differences (.doc)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 3 Why did Anna (.doc)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 3 Writing Frame 1 (.doc)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 3 Writing Frame 2 (.doc)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 3 True or False Quiz (.ppt)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 4 Lesson Plan (.doc)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 4 Did you Know (.ppt)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 4 Physical Factors Cards (.doc)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 4 Model of Iraq (.ppt)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 4 Model of Iraq Worksheet (.doc)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 4 Iraq Article Statements (.doc)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 5 Lesson Plan (.doc)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 5 Guess the Country (.ppt)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 5 Resource List Afghanistan (.doc)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 5 Instruction Grid Afghanistan (.doc)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 5 Peer Assessment Information (.doc)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 6 Lesson Plan (.doc)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 6 How does conflict affect me (.doc)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 6 Google Earth Information Sheet (.pdf)
  • The Geography of Conflict Lesson 6 KWL Grid (.doc)
  • Download all

Login

Sign in
Forgotten password

Or continue as a guest...

By placing a booking, you are permitting us to store and use your (and any other attendees) details in order to fulfil the booking.
We will not use your details for marketing purposes without your explicit consent.

Continue

This content is restricted

You must be a member holding a valid Society membership to view the content you are trying to access. Please login to continue.

 

Not a member? Find out how to join

Join us today, Society membership is open to anyone with a passion for geography

Find out more

Address

Royal Geographical Society
(with the Institute of British Geographers),
1 Kensington Gore,
London, SW7 2AR

Please note that we are currently only receiving post once a week. If possible, please phone or email us instead.

Registered Charity, 208791

E enquiries@rgs.org

T +44 (0)20 7591 3000
F +44 (0)20 7591 3001

Follow us

We are the learned society for geography and geographers. Be part of our community by following us on our social media accounts.

  • twitter
  • youtube
  • linkedin
  • facebook

Links

  • JOIN THE SOCIETY
  • COURSES AND EVENTS
  • TEACHING RESOURCES
  • NEWS
    PRESS AND MEDIA
  • HIRE OUR VENUE
    MYSOCIETY LOGIN
    PRIVACY NOTICE
    SITE MAP

Cookies on the RGS website This site uses cookies to enhance your user experience.