Be the change you wish to see in the world. - Gandhi
Geography 1: PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY - ONLINE
DE ANZA COLLEGE, Spring 2014
Instructor: Eileen O’Halloran
Office hours: by appointment
e-mail:
Phone: (408) 864-3717 (email communication is best)
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Physical geography is the study of the spatial dimension of earth's natural systems such as earth materials, tectonics, landforms, weather, climate, vegetation, water and ecosystems. Physical geographers examine how and why physical processes have acted to shape the earth, and at the same time explore human-earth relations by analyzing global issues such as air and water pollution, global warming and ozone layer depletion. Students will have a better understanding of the processes that cause natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and floods; and study the changes in the natural environment influenced by human action such as deforestation and habitat alteration. Lectures will be supplemented by videos and slide presentations.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs) for PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY (GEO 1):
· Demonstrate understanding of the scientific method by identifying theories, evidence and hypotheses to explain earth processes and the impact of humans on the environment.
· Explain the causes of seasonal changes and differentiate between seasons in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
· Synthesize and apply weather and climate variables.
TRANSFER STATUS: This four unit course fulfills De Anza G.E. requirements and is UC and CSU transferable.
a. De Anza G.E.: Area B, Physical Sciences
b. CSU Breadth: Area B, Sub Area 1, Physical Universe and Its Life Forms
c. IGETC (UC/CSU): Area 5, Sub Area A, Physical Sciences
REQUIRED TEXTS and MATERIALS:
1. Textbook:
Title: Introducing Physical Geography,
Author: Strahler 5th Edition
Year: 2010/2011
ISBN#: 978-0-470-13486-3
Make sure you get the correct textbook for O’Halloran, as other course sections use a different textbook.
2. Atlas:
Title: Goode’s World Atlas 22nd edition (it must be this # edition)
Publisher: Rand McNally
Year: 2010
ISBN#:ISBN-10: 0321652002/ISBN-13: 9780321652003
Topics, readings, assignment due dates and exam schedule
Chapters indicated are from the textbook – schedule subject to change with fair notice from instructor.
Week # / WEEK OF… / TOPIC, READINGS, EXAM & ASSIGNMENT DATES1 / April 7 / Intro chapter: Introduction to Physical Geography and the Tools Geographers Use
2 / April 14 / Chapter 1: The Earth as a Rotating Planet
3 / April 21 / Chapter 2: The Earth’s Global Energy Balance
4 / April 28 / Chapter 3: Air Temperature
Chapter 4: Atmospheric Moisture and Precipitation
5 / May 5 / Chapter 5: Winds and Global Circulation
Chapter 6: Weather Systems
6 / May 12 / Chapter 7: Global Climates
Midterm Exam (Chapters Intro-7)
7 / May 19 / Chapters 8 and 9: Biogeography
8 / May 26 / Chapter 11: Earth Materials and Plate Tectonics
Chapter 12: Volcanic and Tectonic Landforms
9 / June 2 / Chapter 13: Weather and Mass Wasting
Chapter 14: Fresh Water of the Continents
10 / June 9 / Chapters 15 and 16: Landforms
11 / June 16 / Chapter 17: Glacial Landforms and the Ice Age
12 / June 23 / FINAL EXAM OPEN ALL WEEK
GRADING:
Mid-term exam / 100 pointsWeekly quizzes, discussions and other assignments / 300 points
Final Exam / 100 points
Total / 500 points
A+ = 97% & above; 483-500 pts / A = 94-96% ; 468-482 pts / A- = 90-93%; 448-467 pts
B+ = 87-89%; 433-447 pts / B = 84-86%; 418-432 pts / B- = 80-83%; 398-417 pts
C+ = 77-79%; 383-397 pts / C = 65-76%; 382-323 pts
D+ = 60-64%; 298-322 pts / D = 54-59%; 268-297 pts / D- = 50-53%; 248-267 pts
F = < 50%; < 248 pts
CLASS POLICIES:
· ATTENDANCE in our online class is required. I may drop a student from the class for attendance lapses longer than 2 weeks. You are responsible for dropping your class, should you decide to do so. Please check the academic calendar for drop deadlines.
· All EXAMINATIONS must be taken at the scheduled time. Make-up exams are not allowed
· There will be in-class activities and exercises. There is no make up for a missed weekly assignment. Complete the assignment by the due date, or accept loss of points.
· No form of PLAGIARISM or cheating will be tolerated. You are probably a conscientious student who would never think of cheating, but less prudent students found cheating will receive zero points on the exam/assignment and in case of recurrence, an F in the course. This includes copying information from the Internet word-for-word without quoting/citing it AND obtaining questions and/or answers from students who have previously taken the course. Students caught sharing or obtaining this sort of information will receive zero points on the exam/assignment and in case of recurrence, an F in the course. Additionally, they will be reported to the Dean of Social Sciences for discipline and possible expulsion from the college.
· STUDENT CONDUCT: as required by college policy.
o Everyone in the online classroom is expected to be civil and courteous. We will not always agree with the perspectives and opinions shared in the classroom, but I do expect that we will treat each other with respect. “The highest result of education is tolerance.” Helen Keller
· ACCESSIBILITY: If you wish to request accommodation due to a health condition or disability, please come and talk to me as soon as possible. I will work with Disability Support Services (DSS) and Educational Diagnostic Center (EDC) to ensure that accommodations are arranged.
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