Geography 4Physical Geography

Section 67841

Tuesday 11:00-12:20

Professor Lisa Schmidt

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

Topics covered include: the atmosphere, atmospheric processes, weather, geographic patterns of climate, the biosphere, soil and vegetation processes, the hydrosphere, water in all its phases, the formation, modification, and geographic distribution of various landforms, and the lithosphere.

Emphasis is on the processes driving physical systems on Earth, interactions between physical systems, and human interaction with the physical environment.

Textbooks

Required Physical Geography California

Edition 2nd Ed. McKnight and Hess ISBN-13: 978-0558585976

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

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

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

What we will be studying

The atmosphere Atmospheric processes Weather and Climate The Biosphere Soil Vegetation Hydrosphere Tectonic Processes Volcanic Processes

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

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.

Assignments and

Grading Scale

Note: You must earn at least 60% to pass this class. You may be dropped for falling below 60%. Please refer to your syllabus.

4 Exams 100 points each = 400 points

14 Chapter Quizzes 10 points each = 140 points

5 Map Quizzes 25 points each = 125 points

1 Presentation/Video = 100 points

Random Points = 100 Possible Total Points Possible = 865

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.

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.

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!

Presentation

You are required to give a presentation for this class. You will be able to choose from a list of topics. Presentations must be at least 5 minutes but no more

than 10 minutes long. Presentations may be done in groups or alone-groups

require instructor approval. You may make a video as an alternative-videos require

instructor approval too. See the class web site for paper details:

http://schmidtphysicalgeography.wikispaces.com/

Random Points

At any time a pop quiz, exit question, attendance check, or other activity may be given. Your attendance is necessary to receive these points.

Course Schedule

Course SchedulePart Two

Late Work and Exams

Late work will not be accepted. Exams or quizzes missed on

Moodle WILL NOT be reopened, don't ask.

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.

You may be dropped for excessive tardiness. If you are going to be late, come in quietly and take a seat

WITHOUT interrupting lecture. Excessive tardiness is being more than five minutes late three

times. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to obtain notes,

or ANY other information, including schedule changes.

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 16th.

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.

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.

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.

Phones should be set to silent mode when in class.

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.

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.

Class Web Page

A web page has been created for this class.

You can access it at: http://schmidtphysicalgeography.wikispaces.com/

You will find PowerPoint's, maps, videos, study guides and more on the class web page.

Contact Information

The best way to reach me is by e-mail. My e-mail address is:

Lisa_M_Schmidt@yahoo.com 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.

For Your Success There are many resources on your campus. Computers are

available for student use in the library. The Success Centers offer a wide range of services including tutoring and workshops. There is a Student Health Center on the campus to help you with your physical and mental health needs. Guidance counselors are available too. Take advantage of the service available to you and if you have questions, ASK!