GEOGRAPHY 1 (Section 1308): INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY (Fall 2016)
Time / Place: MonWed9:40-11:05 in AHS 136 Office: AHS 315
Instructor: Joan Hackeling, Ph.D. Office Hours: Mon 11:05-11:35
E-mail: Website:
Welcome to Physical Geography!
In this course,we willbegin exploring the field of physical geography. As your instructor, I will be hosting a series of lively, interactive presentations, discussions and videos. As a student in class, you will be open, ready to engage, willing to make mistakes, supporting one another, and determined to learn. At home, you will prepare, review and practice. Together, it will be our goal to build an understanding of the physical processes that shape the environment at a global scale and right here at home, in your own communities.
Course Textbook: Darrel Hess, McKnight’s Physical Geography: California Edition (or other recent edition).
What are the Student Learning Outcomes(SLOs) for this course?
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to...
1.Demonstrate geographical literacy by reading and analyzing maps, locating phenomenaon maps, and identifying spatial patterns on maps.
2.Evaluate global patterns using basic geographical concepts and theory.
What are the SLOs forValley College’sGeneral Education & Transfer Program?
1.Communication Skills: Students will be able to express, transmit and interpret knowledge and ideas clearly through writing, speaking, listening and reading.
2.Reasoning/Critical Thinking Skills: Students will be able to ask appropriate questions, collect accurate information, evaluate its quality, and analyze, synthesize and organize the information reflectively and creatively.
3.Global Awareness: Students will be able to assess how the world has been and continues to be shaped by natural, social and cultural processes and evaluate how their own lives are impacted by these processes.
4.Social Responsibility & Personal Development: Students will be able to take responsibility for their own actions and well-being, make ethical decisions in complex situations, and participate actively in a diverse society.
Are you committed to your own success in this course?
First of all, you should have the necessary basic skills and prerequisites to succeed in this course. The course has very little in the way of mathematics, but it does require good analytical and communication skills. In terms of the effort and time commitment required, each of you should spend, on average, six to eight hours each week outside of class. Commit this time to reading, reviewing, practicing, perhaps getting stuck, persevering by asking questions and meeting with me and/or your classmates to discuss and prepare for exams. Have you made the commitment to your own success in this course?
Review the assigned chapters as scheduled. You are responsible for the material presented in class, in the assigned textbook chapters, and in any additional readings and videos. I also urge you to look for connections and ways to apply what we learn in class to the world around youas you watch the news, read a newspaper or news magazine, surf the web, and otherwise go about your everyday lives.
Attendance: Please be on time and plan to be present for the duration of the class. If you cannot make a class meeting or if you have to leave early, please let me know. You are responsible to find out what you missed. If you know you will be absent for an extended period of time, please contact me as soon as possible. You are responsible for knowing and complying with all deadlines for dropping or withdrawing from the course.
How will your efforts and achievement be evaluated? Your grade for the course will be based on exams, homework assignments and exercises. The point distribution will be as follows:
Exam #1 15%
Exam #2 20%
Exam #320%
Exam #4 20%
Final Exam (cumulative)25%
Total 100%
Exams: There will be five exams, including the final exam. Questions on the exams are based on material from lectures, class discussion, the textbook, other readings and videos. You are responsible for all assigned readings and material presented in class, as well as a certain amount of original thought and analysis. Please be on time for all exams. If you are late, you may not be able to take the exam.
Make-Up Policy:In general, there will be no make-up exams. In the event of illness or some other emergency, contact me as soon as possible!I may be able to accommodate you if you can provide valid written documentation. Late assignments will not be accepted without the consent of the instructor.
Accommodation / Access: If you are a student with a disability requiring classroom accommodations, and have not contacted SSD, do so in a timely manner. SSD is located in the Student Services Annex, Room 175 or call SSD at (818) 947-2681 or TTD (818) 947-2680 to meet with a SSD counselor. If SSD has already sent the memo to instructor confirming accommodations required by student for this class, please meet with me to discuss arrangements.
Financial Aid: Financial Aid is available! Call (818) 947-2412. Go to the Financial Aid Office in the Student Services Center, first floor. For more info:
Academic Dishonesty / Plagiarism and Student Conduct: Plagiarism is the use of others’ words and/or ideas without clearly acknowledging their source. When you incorporate those words and ideas into your own work, you must give credit where credit is due. Plagiarism, intentional or unintentional, is considered academic dishonesty and is not tolerated. Anyone found to be plagiarizing or cheating on assignments (e.g., copying or giving answers, using ‘crib’ sheets, etc.) will (1) receive a zero (fail) on the assignment, and (2) be referred to the Vice President of Student Services for further disciplinary action, following due process. For further information on plagiarism, go to the Writing Center website ( and refer to the STANDARDS OF STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY ACTION in the current Schedule of Classes and Catalog.
Note: Specific web addresses may change but a new page address can be found by searching the LAVC webpage.
You may use electronic mediain class with my permission only.Please do not distract others or disrupt class.If this occurs, you will be removed from class for that day
TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE (subject to change):
Date:Topics:Readings:
Week 1- Aug 29–31Introduction to Course & Geography: Introduction to EarthCh. 1
Week 2 - Sept 5- 7Portraying EarthCh. 2
NO CLASS ON SEPT 5 -- Labor Day!
Week 3 - Sept 12-14Atmosphere, EXAM #1Ch. 3
Week 4 - Sept 19-21Atmosphere, Insolation & TemperatureCh. 4
Week 5 - Sept 26- 28Insolation & TemperatureCh. 4
Week 6 - Oct 3-5EXAM #2, Atmospheric Pressure & WindCh. 5
Week 7 - Oct 10-12Atmospheric Pressure & WindCh. 5
Week 8- Oct 17-19Atmospheric MoistureCh. 6
Week 9- Oct 24-26EXAM #3, Atmospheric Moisture
Week 10 -Oct 31-Nov 2Atmospheric MoistureCh. 6
Week 11- Nov 7-9Transient Flows & DisturbancesCh. 7
Week 12- Nov 14-16EXAM #4, Climate & Climate ChangeCh. 8
Week 13- Nov 21-23 Climate & Climate ChangeCh. 8
Week 14- Nov 28- 30Climate and Climate Change, HydrosphereChs. 8, 9
Week 15- Dec 5- 7Hydrosphere, Landforms & Internal ProcessesChs. 9, 13, 14
FINALS WEEKFINAL EXAM:Monday, Dec 12, 9:30-11:30am