Physical Geography: Earth Systems Course Syllabus

Transcription

1 Physical Geography: Earth Systems Course Syllabus Geography Department Grossmont College Spring ! 1 -

2 January 26 th, 2016 Dear Geography 120 Students, Welcome to our course, Physical Geography: Earth Systems. This course is offered for students who are interested in satisfying the general education requirement for the physical and earth sciences. If you are working towards your associates degree, planning to transfer to a CSU or UC school in the future, or if you are simply interested in the physical environment and interactions between earth systems, then this is the class for you! In this class, we will learn: the major world patterns of physical environment and the interactions between those patterns, fundamental information and processes dealing with the earth s landforms, atmosphere, climate, natural vegetation, and water, and how these patterns and processes relate to us. Map interpretation and analysis will be utilized when studying some of these processes. Because of its emphasis on the interrelationships among different elements of natural and human systems, Geography is the one science that bridges the gap between the natural and social sciences, and provides the opportunity for a truly interdisciplinary approach to studying the world around us. Learning is often characterized as a shared journey. We are now traveling this road together! Best wishes for a successful learning experience, Judd M. Curran Associate Professor of Geography -! 2 -

3 Table of Contents Topic Page I. Student Learning Outcomes 4 II. Class Schedule 5-6 III. Grading Scale 6 IV. Evaluation 7 V. Assessment Overview 8-9 VI. General Policies 9-11 VII. Textbook 11 VIII. Contacting the Instructor 12 Class Website Address: write-in the website address above Students are required to have access to the Internet. Utilizing the class website on a regular basis will be an integral component of your learning. If you need assistance in acquiring an Internet account with Grossmont College, contact your instructor in the first week of the semester. -! 3 -

4 I. Student Learning Outcomes Physical Geography: Earth Systems Geography 120 Judd M. Curran Associate Professor of Geography 1. Students should be able to memorize, apply, and explain the rationale behind classification systems developed for recognizing, explaining, and predicting relationships, patterns, and trends in Earth Systems (e.g., classification of rocks; classification of thermal vs. dynamic weather systems; forms of energy, especially associated with the energy transformations produced by atmospheric, hydrospheric, biospheric, and lithospheric processes; classification of climates in terms of the availability of the inputs to photosynthesis; classification of biomes; classification of erosional vs. depositional environments; etc.). 2. Students should be able to describe, apply, and explain the evidence behind the foundational scientific models commonly used to explain and predict relationships, patterns, and trends within Earth Systems (e.g., Copernican Model describing Earth-Sun relationships; Kinetic Theory, such as applied to systems powered by differential heating; Dynamics, such as applied to the general circulation of the atmosphere; Thermodynamics, including the unique role of water within the Earth s Global Energy Budget, or the production of equilibrium landforms by the agents of gradation; Wave Cyclone theory; Plate Tectonic theory; etc.). 3. Students should be able to explain the step-by-step causes and outcomes of thermal circulation within the Earth System, including across various spatial and temporal scales (e.g., Sea Breezes vs. Monsoonal Wind Systems vs. Hadley Cells; Plate Tectonics; etc.). 4. Students should be able to discuss the unique characteristics and importance of water within the Earth System (e.g., high capacity to store heat energy per change in temperature; high latent heat associated with phase changes; radiative properties relative to infrared radiation and greenhouse warming; energy source behind convective weather systems; systematic distribution of the mechanisms by which precipitation is produced; biome variation as an evolutionary response to the distribution of water resources; significance of evapotranspiration by plants to Earth s energy budget; role of water as a flux in producing magmas at subduction zones; role of water in producing clays and free ions through chemical weathering; gradational work performed by streams, waves, and glaciers producing erosional vs. depositional landforms; etc.). -! 4 -

5 II. Class Schedule DATE TOPICS Assigned Readings 2 nd Edition 3 rd Edition EXAM//MAP QUIZ 01/26-01/28 A. INTRODUCTION Underpinnings of Physical Science 5-12(skim), 21-31,33, 63-64,89, (skim), 19-30,33, 64-65,82, /02-02/04 Underpinnings of P. S. (cont d.) The Geographic Grid 35-41, 49-50, 35-41, 44-45, MAP QUIZ #1 on Thursday 02/04 02/09-02/11 The Geographic Grid (cont d.) Earth-Sun Relationships /16-02/18 B. ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE Physical Climatology Incoming Solar Radiation MAP QUIZ #2 on Thursday 02/18 02/23-02/25 Global Energy Budget /01-03/03 Meteorology (Weather) Air Temperature , , EXAM #1 on Tuesday 03/01 03/08-03/10 03/15-03/17 Air Temperature (cont d.) Atmospheric Pressure and Winds Atmos. Pressure and Winds (cont d.) MAP QUIZ #3 on Thursday 03/17 03/22-03/24 *******SPRING BREAK********* ********* ********* ***************** 03/29-03/31 04/05-04/07 Global Atmospheric Circulation Moisture and Cloud Formation MAP QUIZ #4 on Thursday 04/07 04/12-04/14 Moisture and Cloud Formation (cont d.) Traveling Weather Systems , , ! 5 -

6 DATE TOPICS Assigned Readings 2 nd Edition 3 rd Edition EXAM//MAP QUIZ 04/19-04/21 C. ECOSYSTEMS: CLIM., VEG. The Climate System , , , , EXAM #2 on Tuesday 04/19 04/26-04/28 The Biosphere System , , MAP QUIZ #5 on Thursday 04/28 05/03-05/05 The Biosphere System (cont d.) D. GEOMORPHOLOGY Earth Surface Relief Earth Materials /10-05/12 Rock-Weathering Processes Plate Tectonics Tectonic Processes/Orogenesis , 566, , , 590, , MAP QUIZ #6 on Thursday 05/12 05/17-05/19 Plate Tectonics (cont d.) Gradation and Related Processes , , , , , /24 FINAL EXAM DAY Class meets on Tuesday only from 9:25 AM to 11:25 AM EXAM #3 on Tuesday 05/24 **NOTE: The instructor reserves the right to modify this tentative course schedule as needed. III. Grading Scale Percent of Total Points Earned Grade 96% - 100% A+ 92% - 95% A 88% - 91% A- 85% - 87% B+ 81% - 84% B 78% - 80% B- 75% - 77% C+ 67% - 74% C (C or above required for Pass/No-Pass) 58% - 66% D 0% - 57% F -! 6 -

7 IV. Evaluation On a 340 point scale, the following points will be allocated to each assignment. The grade you earn is determined by simply adding up the number of points you earn on all assessments and dividing by the total number of points in the course. ASSIGNMENT POINTS POSSIBLE YOUR SCORE PERCENT OF TOTAL GRADE EXAM # % EXAM # % EXAM #3 (Final) % EXAM TOTAL: % MAP QUIZ # % MAP QUIZ # % MAP QUIZ # % MAP QUIZ # % MAP QUIZ # % MAP QUIZ # % MAP QUIZ TOTAL: % POP QUIZ # % POP QUIZ # % POP QUIZ # % POP QUIZ # % POP QUIZ TOTAL: % MISCELANEOUS HOMEWORK % HOMEWORK TOTAL: % GRAND TOTAL: % -! 7 -

8 V. Assessment Overview 1. Exams The three exams in this class will assess your understanding of the course material and reinforce your learning of geographic concepts. Each exam may consist of multiple choice, true false, matching, short answer, and or essay questions. You are held responsible for bring a No. 2 pencil and DataLink form (#26760) to each exam. Exams 1 and 2 will only cover the material since the last exam. Hence, these exams are not cumulative. Exam #3 will focus on material that is covered after exam #2, but will review some general concepts that are addressed throughout the course. Study for the exam throughout each week of the semester by reviewing class notes, handouts, readings, review questions, and the class website, by meeting in study groups to practice explaining what you know to your peers, by generating questions from your notes and seeking out answers to those questions from your textbook, study group, website, and the geography tutor, and by actively participating in class. Consult section II. of this syllabus for the scheduled dates and times of the exams. Note: Use of any electronic device (including cell phones) or any other unauthorized materials during the exam is considered cheating and will result in disciplinary action (See the Behavior and Academic Integrity section under General Policies within this syllabus). In addition, students are not allowed to leave the classroom during the exam. If you need to leave the classroom during an exam for any reason, you cannot return to finish the incomplete portion of the exam. 2. Map Quizzes The six map quizzes will allow you to demonstrate knowledge of the locations of cities and physical features throughout the world. During the semester, references will be made to different features and places around the globe. Knowing the locations of these features and places will give you a deeper and more meaningful understanding of the topics discussed. You will be given six sets of placenames with corresponding maps. Each set of placenames corresponds with a map quiz. For each quiz, you will be asked to identify 10 specific placenames selected at random by the instructor, each worth 1 point. Quizzes will be administered at the end of class and students will have 5 minutes to complete. Graded quizzes will be returned to you as soon as possible. Use the Map Quiz Study Packet and Blank Outline Map Packet along with an atlas to prepare for each quiz. Consult section II. of this syllabus for the scheduled dates and times of the map quizzes. 3. Pop Quizzes Pop quizzes are designed to test a snapshot of your progress in learning the course material. Thus, they are not given on a set schedule, but are rather assigned randomly throughout the semester. An announcement will be made during the lecture immediately as the quiz is administered. Students may have up to five minutes to complete. A pencil is all that is required for these quizzes. Make-ups are not offered for pop quizzes. -! 8 -

9 4. Homework Assignments Various homework assignments will be assigned throughout the semester. Details about those assignments and their due dates will be discussed in class. The cumulative maximum number of points possible from all homework assignments is 20 points. 5. Class Participation Your success in learning and your performance on the exams is directly influenced by your level of participation and attendance. Therefore, it is crucial that you become actively involved in classroom discussions and activities. Students who attend every class meeting on time for the duration of the class and participate in classroom activities and discussions will be more successful in achieving the class objectives. In addition, the use of the class website, study groups, text book, and geography tutors is highly encouraged, both as a resource for supplemental information to the course material as well as a means to collaborate with fellow classmates, to enhance your learning experience. VI. General Policies Attendance Each student is expected to attend every class meeting, arrive on time, and remain for the duration of the class. Absences, tardiness, going in and out of class during lecture, and early departures will not be tolerated. A student may be dropped when total absences exceed two class meetings, regardless of the nature of the absences. Excessive tardiness is defined as arriving late to class more than three times. Tardiness and leaving class early will be regarded as an absence. In case of extreme emergency, the student should apply for a leave of absence petition in the Student Health Services Office. Students not in attendance on the first day of class will be dropped. Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Students with disabilities who may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to notify the instructor and contact Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS) during the first week of the semester so that reasonable accommodations may be implemented as soon as possible. Students may contact DSPS in person in building 60, room 120 or by telephone at (619) or video phone at (619) Withdraw from Class The last day to withdraw from class without receiving a W grade is February 5 th, Students should always officially withdraw from a class with the admissions office. The deadline for applying for Pass/No Pass (Credit/No-Credit) is February 26 th, The last day to drop the class without receiving a letter grade is April 22 nd, Prior to dropping a class, -! 9 -

10 please discuss your situation with the instructor. If a student decides to drop the class during the drop period, it is the student s responsibility to process the drop request with WebAdvisor or the Grossmont College Admissions and Records office. Behavior and Academic Integrity Inappropriate behavior in the classroom will not be tolerated. A student may be excluded from class whenever the student exhibits behavior which interferes with the educational process. The instructor will determine when behavior is disturbing and appropriate action will follow. In addition, cheating is a serious offense with serious consequences and will not be tolerated. You are responsible for reading and adhering to the rules described in the Student Conduct section of the Grossmont College General Catalog. Cheating and plagiarism (using as one s own ideas, writings, materials, or images of someone else without acknowledgement or permission) can result in any one of a variety of sanctions. Such penalties may range from an adjusted grade on the particular exam, quiz, paper, project, or assignment (all of which may lead to a failing grade in the course) to, under certain conditions, suspension or expulsion from a class, program, or the college. Class assignments, exams, and quizzes that are missed during a suspension are not eligible for make-up. In addition, suspended days are counted as absences. For further clarification and information on these issues, please consult with your instructor or contact the office of the Associate Dean of Student Affairs. Use of a cell phone or other electronic device is not allowed in class. Any student caught using a cell phone (calls, text messaging, internet, camera, or any other use) in class will be asked to leave class for that day and no makeups will be allowed for quizzes or exams missed as a result. Use of laptops or other electronics for the purpose of note-taking during lecture is strictly prohibited. Use of audio tape recorders (not digital) to record lectures for playback when studying is allowed only after the device has been approved by your instructor. No video recording allowed. Do not walk in and out of class during lecture. Use the restroom prior to attending class. Do not sit in the back of the classroom if empty seats are available in front of you. It is required that you sit as close to the front as available seats allow. Visitors may be allowed into the classroom only with the instructor s prior approval. If you bring food and or beverages into the classroom, please clean up after yourself. Exam and Quiz Makeups No makeups are offered for the Final Exam (exam #3) or for pop quizzes. Exams and map quizzes cannot be made up unless the instructor is informed of your situation preferably prior to the class meeting of the exam/quiz, or within 24 hours after the exam/quiz at the very latest. The decision to allow any makeup is entirely at the discretion of the instructor. In the event of an approved exam or quiz makeup, the student may be required to take an alternate written assessment during office hours. To request a makeup, send an to your instructor -! 10 -

11 ! and include you class meeting date and time, your full name, and a brief summary of your situation. Makeups will be administered during office hours only. Preparation for Class Students should always bring a pen, pencil, highlighters, handout packet, and note paper to every class meeting. Note-taking during lecture is required. Readings listed in the course schedule should be completed by the class meeting. The class website will be continually updated throughout the course to contain information relevant to the topics being discussed each week. Answer the review questions on a regular basis, as we discuss the related material in class. Visit the website and review presented information frequently. Create study groups and organize study sessions with other students in the class. Review your lecture notes and study them between every class meeting. Complete all homework assignments before the due date and obtain feedback from a tutor or your instructor before the final submission. Preparing for class, and the exam, is an ongoing process (cramming is not a viable strategy for this class). These actions will insure that you will be more prepared to actively participate in discussions and class activities, and will help you be better prepared for the exams. Civic Duty If you are not currently registered to vote, please do so. You can register online at: tinyurl.com/reg2voteonline. And, I would recommend choosing the vote-by-mail option, so that you can cast your vote while not missing any class time on election day! VII. Textbook Required Readings Are In: Strahler, Alan H. and Arthur Strahler Physical Geography: Science and Systems of the Human Environment. 2 nd Edition. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. ISBN: OR Strahler, Alan H. and Arthur Strahler Physical Geography: Science and Systems of the Human Environment. 3 rd Edition. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Optional: Veregin, Howard or newer. Goode s World Atlas. Recent Edition. Rand McNally. Or other similar Atlas -! 11 -

12 VIII. Contacting the Instructor Judd M. Curran Associate Professor of Geography Office: Building 37, Room 300A-1 Office Hours**: Mon - Thurs: 8:45 am to 9:15 am Tues: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm Wed: 11:00 am to 12:00 pm Notes: Please let me know in advance via if you plan to visit an office hour. **Note: On some occasions, an office hour may conflict with meetings and will be cancelled. When this occurs, another office hour will be added in the same week to compensate. Check the class website for announcements about any temporary changes to the office hour schedule. judd.curran@gcccd.edu (Best way to contact me) Note: Requirements (failure to follow requirements may result in no response) 1. must include the following in the subject line: Full Name, Class subject, meeting date and time Example: Judd Curran, Geog 120, Mon & Wed at 11am 2. must be written in proper English, using complete sentences, with a clear and concise message. Please refrain from using any abbreviated texting language such as thnx, instead of Thanks., u instead of you, etc. 3. If you are using an program other than your Grossmont College student (ex: Yahoo, Gmail, AOL, etc), then there is no guarantee that your will be received by your instructor due to spam filters. Thus, if the subject of your is of great importance, send it from your Grossmont College student . Your instructor is not responsible for lost s that are sent from accounts other than your Grossmont College-issued gcccd.edu . Office Phone: (619) Class meets: Tues,Thurs: 0930 to 1045, January 26 th through May 24 th Location: Building 36, Room 355 Section #: ! 12 -