Western Nevada College Fall 2014
Instructor: Chris Ryan
WNC: 283-1832
Cell: 843-2500
Email:
Geography 103
Geography of the World’s Environments
Course Description
The goal of this class is to provide you with a better understanding of the natural environment and the world you live in. Everyday you walk outside you come into contact with the world and the physical processes that interact to create the diversity of landscapes found on the Earth. This being the case, we will study the interrelationships between the atmosphere, climate, vegetation, and landforms. The tools you obtain in this class will help you understand the physical environment and allow you to be an informed observer of the landscape.
Schedule
Monday & Wednesday 5:30-6:45 p.m. Please be on time!!!
Office Hours
My main office is down at the Tech Center on the Carson High campus in room HTC 326F. You are welcome anytime the door is open. If you would like to make an appointment come and see me and we’ll arrange one.
Text
None is required. I’ll provide some handouts over the course of the semester.
Course Grade
Your course grade will be calculated from a total of 500 points. In order to receive an A you must have 90% (450 points), for a B 80% (400 points), for a C 70% (350 points), for a D 60% (300 points). Anything below 60% is an F. The breakdown of points is as follows:
Quiz 1 100 points
Quiz 2 100 points
Quiz 3 100 points
Hands On 100 points
Participation 100 points
Please keep in mind; instructors can no longer issue a W for a final grade. The last day to withdraw from this class with a W is Friday October 24, 2014. If you do not withdraw and fail the class you will receive an F as a final grade.
Class Attendance
I cannot over emphasize the importance of regular attendance. I will take attendance each class. If you miss class, please see one of your fellow classmates to get the notes – I do not have any to give out. WNC has an attendance policy that is outlined in the college catalog; I too have a policy:
If you miss a total of six classes, you will lose 10% of your total points.
If you miss a total of seven classes, you will lose 20% of your total points.
If you miss a total of eight classes, you will lose 30% of your total points.
After that – All Hope Is Gone
Exercises
There will be a number of in-class exercises over the course of the semester. This is an opportunity to put some of the class content into action. There is no make-up on any missed exercises. If you miss an exercise, but would like to have a copy I will be glad to give it to you, but I will not grade it.
Quizzes
All quizzes will be open note. The quizzes will entail essay questions that derive from lecture, reading, video, and hands-on.
Class Etiquette
Please do not sit there and text; I only have you anywhere from 60-75 minutes. I think you’ll survive without your phone for that time.
Please do not study or work on other course work. If you need to study for an exam for another class, please take the day off, but don’t do on our time.
If you must leave class early, please notify me ahead of time. If you get up and leave without notifying me you will be marked as absent for the class.
Last Word
If you would like help with the class, please let me know. I am here to help you and see that you are successful, but remember, you need to let me know; I will not chase you down.
Tentative Lecture Schedule
Mon Aug 25 Course Intro
Wed Aug 27 Introduction to Latitude & Longitude
Mon Sept 1 No Class – Labor Day Holiday
Wed Sept 3 Hands On - Latitude & Longitude Exercise
Mon Sept 8 Introduction to the Atmosphere
Wed Sept 10 Hands On – Atmosphere Exercise
Mon Sept 15 Introduction to Climate & Weather
Wed Sept 17 Climate & Weather
Mon Sept 22 Climate & Weather
Wed Sept 24 Hands On - Weather Exercise
Mon Sept 29 Tornadoes
Wed Oct 1 Hurricanes
Mon Oct 6 Quiz 1
Wed Oct 8 Introduction to Biogeography
Mon Oct 13 Biogeographic Influences
Wed Oct 15 Hands On - Biogeography
Mon Oct 20 Succession
Wed Oct 22 Desert Environments
Mon Oct 27 Introduction to Landforms
Wed Oct 29 Plate Tectonics
Mon Nov 3 Quiz 2
Wed Nov 11 Hands On – Plate Tectonics
Mon Nov 10 Volcanoes
Wed Nov 12 Volcanoes
Mon Nov 17 Earthquakes
Wed Nov 19 Earthquakes
Mon Nov 24 Hands On – Seismic Activity
Wed Nov 26 No Class – Thanksgiving Holiday
Mon Dec 1 Glaciers
Wed Dec 3 Glaciers
Mon Dec 8 Final Quiz