geography 4 intro
TRANSCRIPT
Geography 4Physical Geography
Section 63649
Tuesday 11:00-12:20
Professor Lisa Schmidt
What is Geography?
The scientific study of the Earth's surface and its various climates, countries, peoples, and natural resources.
Fields of Geography
Human or Cultural GeographyDeals with social, economic, and behavioral
processes Physical Geography
Examines the natural processes occurring at Earth’s surface that provide the physical setting for human activities
Branches of Physical Geography
Biogeography Climatology Coastal Geography Environmental Geography Geomorphology Glaciology Hydrology Oceanography Paleogeography
Branches of Human Geography
Cultural Geography Developmental Geography Economic Geography Medical Geography Historical Geography Political Geography Population Geography Demography Transportation Geography Urban Geography
Tools Geographers Use
Maps Paper representations of space showing point, line, or area data
Or more simply put, locations, connections, and regions Remote Sensing
Aircraft or spacecraft provide images of earth’s surface GIS or Geographic Information Systems
Powerful computer mapmaking software connected to data bases Mathematical Modeling and Statistics
Used to understand natural and human phenomenon
What we will be studying…
Four great physical realms or spheres of Earth Atmosphere
The gaseous layer that surrounds the earth
Lithosphere The outermost solid layer
of the Earth Hydrosphere
The liquid realm of the Earth
Biosphere Encompasses all living
organisms of the Earth
Course Description
The goal of this course is to introduce students to basic concepts in physical geography…Since it is an introductory course, it is
assumed students have little or no background in physical geography.
Course Description
Emphasis is on the processes driving physical systems on the Earth, interactions between physical systems, and human interaction with the physical environment.
What we will be studying
The atmosphere Atmospheric processes Weather and Climate The Biosphere Soil Vegetation Hydrosphere Tectonic Processes Volcanic Processes
Course Objectives
You will gain an understanding of the geographic perspective within natural and environmental sciences, including place, space, map scale, map projection, spatial connection, and spatial diffusion.
You will better understand how to use maps, in particular, the geographic distribution of natural phenomena.
You will learn about the four environmental spheres, atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere, and how they interact across the surface of the Earth. In particular, you will learn the role of humankind within the environment.
Textbooks Required
Physical Geography California Edition
McKnight and Hess ISBN 0-558-11417-2
Required Goode’s World Atlas
ISBN 0-528-65000-3 Or any recent World Atlas
that contains physical maps Recommended
The Geography Coloring Book
Wynn Kapit 978-0131014725
Alternate Text
You may also use Physical Geography: A Landscape Appreciation by McKnight and Hess 9th edition ISBN 978-0-13-
223901-1
Required Materials
Internet Access Pencils Pens Paper
Recommended Materials
Colored Pens or PencilsFor map studies
Course Schedule
Grading Scale
4 Exams 100 points each = 400 points
14 Chapter Quizzes 10 points each = 140 points
5 Map Quizzes 25 points each = 125 points
1 Research Project = 100 points
Total Points Possible = 765
100-90% 765-688 A 89-80% 687-612 B 79-70% 611-535 C 69-60% 534-459 D 59-0% 458-0 F
Note: You must earn at least 60% to pass this class. You may be dropped for falling below 60%. Please refer to your syllabus.
Exams
There will be four exams. Exams will be given using Moodle. The format will be multiple choice, true and
false, and/or matching. Each exam will be worth 100 points. The final exam will be cumulative. A study guide will be available for each exam.
Chapter Quizzes There will be a quiz for each chapter
in the textbook. Quizzes will be posted on Moodle at the
end of each chapter, check the class schedule.
Quizzes will be due one week after they are posted by 10:30 AM.
There will be 14 quizzes. The format will be multiple choice,
true/false, and or matching. Quiz questions may be used on
exams. You will want to take notes from your
quizzes and study them.
Map Quizzes We will study the physical features of Earth. You MUST bring your atlas to class on map
study nights. Colored pens or pencils will be helpful. You will have five map quizzes.
North America 25 points South America 25 points Europe 25 points Asia 25 points Africa 25 points
Total 125 points Maps quizzes will be on Moodle too!
Research Project
You are required to complete one research project for Physical Geography.
You may write a 5-page paper, produce a video or slideshow, or give a presentation.
You will be able to choose from a list of topics. You may receive extra credit for seeking
assistance from the writing center for your paper or project.
See the class web site for paper details: http://schmidtphysicalgeography.wikispaces.com/
Extra Credit Some extra credit may be assigned
throughout the semester. It will be announced in class and you must
be present in order to take advantage of it.
Late Work and Exams
Late work will not be accepted.Assignments are due on their stated due
dates. No make-up exams.
If you cannot make it to a scheduled exam, you must contact me before to make other arrangements.
Absences and Tardiness
I reserve the right to drop students who miss class twice.
If you have to miss class, you should stay in contact with me if you do not want to be dropped.
You may be dropped for excessive tardiness. This means being more than five minutes late, more
than three times. If you are going to be late, come in quietly and
take a seat WITHOUT interrupting lecture.
E-mailing Assignments/My Mailbox Assignments will NOT be accepted by e-
mail. If you cannot make it to class, take your
assignment to my mailbox, ask at information and someone will put it in.
Last Day to Turn in Work
The last day that extra credit work or late work (if it has been approved), will be accepted is May 18th.
No exceptions will be made.
Dropping
If you decide to drop, you must do it formally.
If you stop coming to class, I have no way of knowing if you want to drop or receive and F. I will give F’s, it is your responsibility to drop.
Graded Work
It is your responsibility to pick up graded work.
You should keep all of your graded work until you receive your final grade. Not only for this class but all of your classes!
All graded work will be held for 30 days after the end of the semester then discarded.
Moodle
Moodle will be used for this class.You will take your tests and quizzes on
Moodle.http://moodle.chaffey.edu/
If you have questions about Moodle, stay after class, I am here to help.
Academic Honesty
Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. Any incidences of cheating or plagiarism will
be reported to the deans office. Please refer to Chaffey College’s policy on
academic honesty.
Cell Phones and Texting Use of cell phones for talking or texting
during class is inappropriate. You may be asked to leave the
classroom if you are talking or texting on your phone during lecture.
Phones should be set to silent mode when in class.
Use of a cell phone for texting or talking during a quiz or exam is absolutely forbidden. If you are caught using your phone during a
quiz or exam, you will receive a grade of 0 points for that quiz or exam.
Disabilities
If you need accommodations for this course, please see me after class.
If you have or think you may have a disability that might affect your performance in this course, please contact the office of Disabled Students Programs and Services at (909) 652-6398.
Contact Information
The best way to reach me is by e-mail. My e-mail address is:
[email protected] I have a mailbox on the Chino campus
and in Zimmerman Hall on the main campus.
My voice mail is (909) 652-7090 I do not check my voice mail as often as
my e-mail.