GEOG 103 – Geography of World Environments
GREAT BASIN COLLEGE – WINNEMUCA CAMPUS
SPRING SEMESTER 2010
GENERAL INFORMATION
Location: Room 122, Winnemucca Branch Campus
Time 7:00 P. M. to 9:45 P. M., Thursday evenings
Instructor: Dennis Thomas, 623-9543. Cell 421-8659.
Textbook: Physical Geography: A Landscape Appreciation / with CD ROM (9th ed.), T. L. McKnight and D. Hess, Prentice Hall, New Jersey, 2002; ISBN 0-13-223901-9
Laboratory Manual to Accompany Physical Geography: A Landscape Appreciation, D. Hess, Prentice Hall, New Jersey (Optional)
The authors of the text define physical geography as “landscape appreciation”. Everything a person senses by sight, sound and smell when looking out of a window is considered “landscape”. “Appreciation”, in the content used by the authors, means understanding. Physical geography could then be described as understanding the environment and the spatial relationships of the earth’s features that surround us. The environment can be divided into the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and the lithosphere. In this case, we will explore the basics of the environmental spheres that make up the earth’s surface.
Along with the text, the authors have provided a CD ROM that we will use to explore some of the more difficult concepts and processes important to this course. The CD includes animations that illustrate these concepts. It also provides easy access to the companion website which presents you with sources of information that you can use to expand on the concepts discussed in the text.
This course may be used to satisfy 3 credit units toward a science or social science AA/AS degree.
Course Description and Objectives
This course will provide an introduction to geography of world environments. Throughout this course, we will learn about the spatial relationships of the features of Earth’s surface. You should have a basic understanding of concepts or relationships of landforms and geologic processes that influence them. You will have learned about global weather patterns, climate and characteristics of the earth’s surface that influence them. And you will have a basic understanding of how climate and other features of the earth’s surface influence the distribution of plants and animals in our environment.
There will be lectures, slides, videotapes, laboratory exploration and a field trip that will provide an opportunity to develop technological understanding of geography. You will be orally answering questions asked in class, participating in small informal lab workgroups or discussion groups, and presenting your term report to the class. All of these exercises are intended to enhance your communication skills.
The labs will provide you with hands-on opportunities to learn techniques of basic scientific investigation and enhance your ability to think critically. By the end of this course you will have learned to read and use maps and aerial photographs, as they are key tools used by geographers to develop understandings of concepts or relationships in our environment. There will usually be a lab assignment each week, many of which will be completed in class. Labs will be due at the beginning of class the week following the one where the lab was assigned.
You will be required to participate in class regularly, take 3 exams, write a research paper, and give an oral presentation of your research to the class. The details of these requirements are included in the following pages, along with some information about my grading criteria, and a tentative course schedule that I hope to adhere to throughout the semester.
Measurements of Expected Course Outcomes (objectives)
The above objectives will be measured by:
- Your understanding of the fundamental concepts of physical geography, appreciation of the distribution of features at the surface of the earth and the processes that influence them will be determined from tests, participation and discussion.
- Development of personal awareness of the geography of world environments, how personal/cultural awareness of the distribution of features at the surface of the earth, and the processes that influence them will be demonstrated through participation in class discussions and from your research assignment.
- Communication skills will be evaluated by your written and oral presentation of research conducted primarily through Internet investigation.
Student Responsibilities
You must participate in classes if you intend to obtain the full benefits of instruction. You may be dropped from the class if your absences become excessive. Let me know if you intend to miss a class. More than 4 hours absence can be considered excessive without a legitimate excuse.
You are expected to read the material before coming to class. I will ask questions throughout each lecture to keep track of how well you are grasping the material. I expect your participation.
Take notes and be sure to ask questions. If you do not understand, it is likely your classmates don’t either.
Assignments must be on time to get full credit for your work. Points will be deducted for late work. I will reduce your earned grade by 10% for each day the assignment is late.
Work will not be accepted after work of other students has been returned to them.
If you cannot take an exam during the arranged time, you must make arrangements before the test is given to take the test.
Academic Dishonesty
The University and Community College System of Nevada expressly forbids all forms of academic dishonesty, including (but not limited to) all forms of cheating, copying, falsifying data and plagiarism. Students who engage in academic dishonestly will be assigned at a minimum zero points for the course, and will be reported to the GBC Vice President of Student Services.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Great Basin College is committed to providing equal educational opportunities to qualified students with disabilities in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. A qualified student must furnish current verification of disability. The Director of Services for Students with Disabilities (Julie G. Byrnes) will assist qualified students with disabilities in securing the appropriate and reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aids and services. For more information or further assistance, please call 775.753.2271.
A
Grading Policy/Point System
Grade values are as follows:
A / Superior / 4.0A- / 3.7
B+ / 3.3
B / Above Average / 3.0
B- / 2.7
C+ / 2.3
C / Average / 2.0
C- / 1.7
D+ / 1.3
D / Below Average / 1.0
D- / 0.7
F / Failure / 0.0
I / Incomplete
W / Withdrawal
I – you may receive a final report of I or incomplete with, if you have completed at least ¾ of the course with a grade of C or better, but are unable to complete the class for good cause. You must arrange for the incomplete with me and acknowledge the statement of work you must complete to receive a final grade. You have until October 15 to complete the work for a final grade. An incomplete not made up within this time period will have a grade assigned by me, which could be an F or W.
Qualified students with physical or documented learning disabilities have the right to free accommodation to ensure equal access to educational opportunities at Great Basin College. For assistance, contact the Disabled Student Services Office at (775) 753-2271.
ASSIGNMENTS
Learn and use the terms that are presented to you in your text and in class. Most terms are explained in the test or defined in the CD or text glossaries.
Reading assignments cover 1 to 2 chapters per week and average about 50 pages. You should come to class prepared to discuss the key topics covered by the weekly assignment. No reading assignments will be given during the week of exams or student presentations. A tentative schedule of assignments is included.
You will have three tests during the semester. The test questions will be true/false and multiple choice that will come from your reading assignments and the lecture material. The first midterm test will include topics covered through chapter 7. The fina1 exam will cover topics from the entire book focusing mainly on the last half of the book.
We will have one field trip on a Saturday near the end of the semester. We will carpool or use the school van if available. If we carpool, drivers should be compensated by their passengers for their share of travel costs. A one to two page report on what you experienced on the trip will be required. Reports can be hand written but must be legible and in ink. They will be due the first class following the trip. During the first class session we will determine a date that will best fit everyone's busy schedules.
You will be required to complete a term project. The project will be presented orally to the class. It will also include a typewritten paper, which must be between 5 and 20 pages, not including your title page, reference list and figures. Your report should be double line spaced, 12-point font, and left or full justified.
You will use APA format for citing the references you use. An example of the acceptable reference style for Internet acquired information is:
American Psychological Association, Electronic Reference Formats, January 10, 2001 2001)
Your oral presentation must be between 5 and 30 minutes in length. You may include visual aids in your oral presentation. Arrangements for equipment you may need for your presentation should be made in advance of your presentation.
The project grade will be based on the content, your writing ability, and your oral presentation. If your writing skills are rusty, you need help with structure or grammar; help is available from the Writing Center.
You may choose a topic from most of the "Focus Topics" presented in the text or any topic that we can mutually agree is appropriate to our course of study. Some other possible term project topics include:
Nevada landforms / The Humboldt River / Air pollutionUrbanization / Acid Rain / Global warming
Weather patterns in the Great Basin / Desertification / Landfills
Volcanic activity at Long Valley / Groundwater use / Soil degradation
A recent earthquake / Deforestation and climate
Report topics are due by February 26. Your report topic assignment includes a paragraph that should identify your topic and describe how your research will apply to this course. I will make comments or express expectations I may have about your proposal. Your reference list is due by March 12. The reference list should be in APA format. Your rough draft is due April 16 and the final draft is due May 7. Be prepared to give your oral presentation that same night. Grade points will be deducted for turning in any of part of the project past its due date.
GRADING
Your grade will be based on your performance on exams, the quality of your field trip report and your term project. There are 1000 points possible. Point values are:
Midterm exam 1200 points
Midterm exam 2200 points
Final exam200 points
Lab Assignments100 points
Field trip report50 points
Research paper200 points
Oral presentation50 points
Grades will be assigned as follows:
900 points90%A
870 points87%A-
830 points83%B+
800 points80%B
770 points77%B-
730 points73%C+
700 points70%C
670 points67%C-
630 points63%D+
600 points60%D
570 points57%D-
<570 points<57%F
Exams must be taken on time. In the event of an emergency, that prevents you from doing this, you must contact me in advance or provide written documentation of the nature of the emergency. In these cases other arrangements to take the test will be made. If you miss a test and fail to follow these instructions you will be given a score of 0 on the exam. No exceptions will be made.
Exam grades will be based on your score compared to the highest score given on the exam. The highest score will receive the total possible points. Test score points will be adjusted according to percentage of the highest score.
Research paper grade includes: report topic-20 points, reference list-20 points, rough draft-40 points, and final paper-120 points.
Assignment grades will be marked down by 10% for each day your assignment is late (not each class session). If you are turning in a late paper, put the paper in my mailbox and send me an e-mail letting me know that you have turned it in.
Substantiation of the incorporation of the General Education Objectives into Geography 103:
Communication Skills (significant):
This course requires a written report of at least 5 pages with an oral presentation at the end. There are also written laboratory reports and a field trip report required.
Critical Thinking (strong component):
Quantitative Ability (significant): Laboratory exercises contain quantitative components. We discuss the fundamental problems of map making and different ways of resolving them. The quantitative relationships expressed on topographic maps are reviewed and practiced in laboratory exercises. Other labs exploring air masses, weather, and landforms also have a quantitative component. Quantitative Ability will be assessed through labs and exams.
Reasoning and Independent Thought (significant): Laboratory exercises require reasoning and independent thought based on the interpretation of quantitative information. The interpretation of landforms and the assessment of meteorological information for weather prediction require reasoning. Reasoning and Independent thought will be assessed through labs, oral presentations, and exams.
Scientific Understanding (significant): All principles taught in this course are based on scientific reasoning. All interpretations are given as they are based upon facts. Physical geography covers fundamentals of geology and meteorology (both themselves based in chemistry and physics) with some inclusion of biogeography and soils. The lab introduces the use of the scientific method and the use of both observational and quantifiable facts in its application. The underlying effects of energy from gravity, stream velocity, internal and solar hear, and other sources are discussed in geological processes. The chemical nature of rocks and minerals is shown. The study of weather and climate is based on the principles of physics. Basic elements of thermodynamics, gas laws, phase change, electromagnetic radiation, and solar astronomy are presented in the discussion of weather and climate. Students are taught that every feature of the Earth, and the distribution of categories of features, is the result of specific processes that can be understood and interpreted by those who are knowledgeable of these processes. Scientific Understanding will be assessed through labs, class participation, oral presentations, and exams.
Personal and Cultural Awareness (moderate component):
Sense of the Individual in Society (considerable): This objective is also reflected under the Sense of Accountability objective below. We discuss the right of the individual to build anywhere one desires versus society’s willingness to compensate the individual for losses incurred from natural disasters, especially when a high likelihood of the disaster is known (examples: building on flood plains or on barrier islands in hurricane prone areas, etc). The course deals rather extensively, through discussion and reading materials, with cultural issues such as global climate change and mans effect on the environment. A global view of geological processes is given that shows that they have no deference to any race, creed, or cultural factor. Different social attitudes to geologic hazards in different cultures are reviewed. Sense of the Individual in Society will be assessed through labs, class participation, oral presentation and exams.
Sense of the Past (considerable): The history of human activity can be shown to reflect the physical environment within which people have existed. The past and present distributions of human populations also reflect the distributions of physical conditions. Human migrations have occurred in response to changes in geological and climatic factors. In this course, note is made of these factors as often as possible. Sense of the Past will be assessed through labs and exams.
Sense of Accountability (significant): A common theme throughout much of this course is the interaction between humans and nature, and the personal and social consequences of these interactions. These interactions range from geologic hazards (floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, mass wasting, etc.) through resource utilization (minerals, fossil fuels, ground water utilization, etc.) through the effects of pollution on natural systems) pollution of groundwater, global temperature change, etc. The acts of individual and society through building and land use planning are discussed, using examples of costs to tax payers through government reimbursement after disasters when individuals build in flood plains, low coastal areas susceptible to hurricanes, earthquake-prone areas, etc. The question of what rights society (through government) has to regulate activities in these kinds of areas is posed. Sense of Accountability will be assessed through labs and exams.
Appreciation of Fine Arts (some degree): Development of the arts occurs at different times and different rates in different geographic localities. We discuss the geographical factors that contribute to the development of the arts. Appreciation of the Fine Arts will be assessed through labs and exams.
Personal Wellness (some degree): Personal safety is considered in the discussion of some geologic hazards (warning systems for tsunamis, first reactions to earthquakes, safe places to build or buy homes, etc). Meteorologic factors in health are considered in topics like wind chill factor (hypothermia) and heat index. Contribution factors to air and water pollution are discussed. Personal Wellness will be assessed through labs and exams.
Technological Understanding (some degree):
Internet links are shown to sites giving global and local weather information, current earthquake reports, past flood data for the United States. Technological Understanding will be assessed through labs and the use of flash files to view geographic processes.
Date / Reading / Topic / Due DatesJan. 28 / Chap. 1
P. 1-27 / Introduction/Earth Sun Relationships / First Class Meeting
Jan. 29 (on or before) / Refund Deadline (100%)
Feb. 4 / Chap. 2, 3
Pg. 28-73 / Maps, Introduction to Atmosphere
Feb. 11 / Chap. 4, 5
Pg.74-139 / Insolation and Temperature, Pressure and Wind
Feb. 12 (on or before) / Refund Deadline (50%)
Feb. 18 / Chap. 6, 7
Pg.140-209 / Wind and Moisture, Storms
Feb. 25 / Chap. 8
Pg.210-259 / Climate Zones and Types / Report Topics Due
Mar. 4 /
Exam Chapter 1- 8
/ Midterm Exam 1Mar. 11 / Chap. 9, 10
Pg.260-311 / Hydrosphere, Biosphere /
Report Reference List
DueMar. 18 / Chap. 11
Pg.312-351 / Plants and Animals
March 25 / Spring Break
Apr. 1 / Chap. 12, 13
Pg. 352-411, / Soils, Landforms
Apr. 8 / Chap. 14, 15
Pg. 412-479 / Internal Processes, Weathering / Midterm Exam 2
Chapters 9–15 (Take Home)
Apr. 15 / Chap. 16, 17
Pg.480-527 / Rivers, Solution Processes / Report Rough Draft Due
Apr. 22 / Chap. 18, 19
Pg. 528-587 / Deserts and Glaciers
April 24 / Proposed Date / Field Trip
Apr. 30 / Course Withdrawal Deadline
April 29 / Chap. 20
Pg. 588-611 / Coastlines
May 6 / Student Presentations / Final Report Due / Field Report Due
May 13 /
Student Presentations
/Final Report Due
May 21 / Final Exam /All of the Book
Final ExamTENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE