Physical Geography

Geography 101Professor Lisa SchmidtSection 52296MTWTh 8:00-10:05 AM

Welcome to Geography 101!

• In this class you will learn the basic elements of geography.

• We will study climate, landforms, water, soils, and native plants and animals.

• We will examine the inter-relationships between these things and we will look at their patterns of distribution throughout the world.

Textbooks

• Required– McKnight’s Physical

Geography• McKnight• ISBN 978-0321820433

Required

• Recommended– Goode’s World Atlas

• ISBN 0-528-65000-3• Or any recent World Atlas

that contains physical maps

– The Geography Coloring Book

• Wynn Kapit• 978-0131014725

Alternate Texts

• You may use older editions of this book or the regular, non-California editions.

• Details can be found here:

http://schmidtphysicalgeography.wikispaces.com/Textbooks

Required Materials

• Pencils• Pens• Paper• Internet Access

Recommended Materials

• Colored Pens or Pencils• For map studies

Course Description

• The goal of this course is to introduce students to basic concepts in physical geography…

• Since it is an introductory course, it is assumed students have little or no background in physical geography.

Course Objectives

• By the end of this course:– You will gain an

understanding of the geographic perspective within natural and environmental sciences, including place, space, map scale, map projection, spatial connection, and spatial diffusion.

– You will better understand how to use maps, in particular, the geographic distribution of natural phenomena.

– You will learn about the four environmental spheres: atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere and how they interact across the surface of the Earth.

– You will learn the role of humankind within the environment.

Exams, Quizzes, and Assignments

Note: You must earn at least 60% to pass this class. You may be dropped for falling below 60%. Please refer to your syllabus.

Exams• There will be three

exams.• You will need to log

in to Blackboard for each exam.

• The format will be multiple choice, true and false, and/or matching.

• Each exam will be worth 100 points.

• Exams will close at 7:30 AM on their due dates.

Chapter Quizzes

• There will be a quiz for each chapter we cover in the textbook.– Quizzes will be posted on Blackboard after each lecture.

• You must be connected to the internet to complete the quizzes. See syllabus for campus locations.– Quizzes will be due one week after they are posted by 7:30 AM.

• There will be 14 quizzes.– The format will be multiple choice, true/false, and or matching.

• Quiz questions may be used on exams.– You will want to take notes from your quizzes and study them.

Map Quizzes

• We will study the physical features of Earth.• You MUST bring your atlas to class on map

study nights.• Colored pens or pencils will be helpful.• You will have five map quizzes.• Map Quizzes will be given using Blackboard and

will also close at 7:30 AM.– North America 25 points– South America 25 points– Europe 25 points– Asia 25 points– Africa 25 points

• Total 125 points

Presentation

• A presentation is required for this class.

• Presentations should be five minutes long.

• You may choose from a list of topics.

• Presentations MAY be done in groups with instructor approval.

• A video may be created as an alternative to a presentation.

• Presentations will be scheduled, if you do not present on your scheduled date, you will lose points.

Random Points

• These may be assigned at any time during this course.

• This could be and assignment or simply an attendance check.

• Random Points will also be used for parts of your presentation-picking your topic, finding your sources, answering your questions, etc.

Late Work

• Late work will not be accepted.

• Do not ask to have quizzes or exams opened if you miss them.

Absences and Tardiness• I reserve the right to drop

students who miss class twice.

• If you have to miss class, you should stay in contact with me if you do not want to be dropped.

• You may be dropped for excessive tardiness.– This means being more than

five minutes late, more than three times.

• If you are going to be late, come in quietly and take a seat WITHOUT interrupting lecture.

E-mailing Assignments/My Mailbox

• Assignments will NOT be accepted by e-mail.

• If you cannot make it to class, take your assignment to my mailbox which is located in the Liberal Arts Building, where the faculty offices and secretaries are located.

Dropping

• If you have attended class at least once, then it is your responsibility to drop should you decide to.

• If you stop coming to class, I have no way of knowing if you want to drop or receive and F, so I will likely give you an F because it is your responsibility to drop.

Graded Work• It is your

responsibility to pick up graded work.

• You should keep all of your graded work until you receive your final grade. – Not only for this class

but all of your classes!

• All graded work will be held for 30 days after the end of the semester then discarded.

• Some extra credit may be assigned throughout the semester.

• It will be announced in class and you must be present in order to take advantage of it.

Standing Offers for Extra Credit

1. Donate Blood-bring me the paperwork or send me a picture of you donating and I will give you 10 points extra credit.

2. Get your Ed Plan done-bring it to me and show me, for 5 points.

Academic Honesty

• Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. – Any incidences of

cheating or plagiarism will be reported to the deans office.

– Please refer to Victor Valley College’s policy on academic honesty.

Cell Phones and TextingCell Phones and Texting

• Use of cell phones for talking or texting Use of cell phones for talking or texting during class is inappropriate. during class is inappropriate.

• You may be asked to leave the You may be asked to leave the classroom if you are talking or texting classroom if you are talking or texting on your phone during lecture. on your phone during lecture.

• Phones should be set to silent mode Phones should be set to silent mode when in class.when in class.

Blackboard

• Blackboard will be used for this class.

• You must use Blackboard for your quizzes, map quizzes, and exams. – You will also find

PowerPoint lectures, study guides, blank maps, grades and course documents.

– http://vvc.blackboard.com • If you have questions about

blackboard, stay after class, I am here to help.

Disabled Students Programs and Services

• If you need accommodations for this course, please see me after class.

• If you have or think you may have a disability that might affect your performance in this course, please contact the office of Disabled Students Programs and Services at (760) 245-4271 ext, 2212, or stop by their office located in building 50.

• There is help available.

Contact Information

• My e-mail address is: ProfessorLisaS@gmail.com

• You may text me or leave voice mail for me at (760) 440-8977

• My mailbox is located the Liberal Arts Building (Building 30, our building)

• My voice mail is (760) 245-4271 ext. 8585. This is my VVC voice mail, which I don’t check that often.– Text of E-mail is the best way to

reach me.

Note bout Schedule and Topics

• All dates, topics, point totals, and assignments are tentative.

• I reserve the right to make changes as they may become necessary throughout the semester.

• Should you happen to miss class, it is you responsibility to obtain information about any changes.

Disruptive Behavior

• If you disrupt the class, you may be asked to leave.

• If disciplinary action is taken, you may be removed from the following class.

• Disruptive behavior includes talking during lecture or talking during presentations.

Class Schedule…

• Please take a moment to look at the schedule in your syllabus.

• Notice when quizzes are due, when map studies are, when exams are, and when presentations begin.

For Your Success

• There are computers available for your use on campus in the library and in the ATC.– See the map on the

syllabus…

There are many other services available for you-CounselingChild Care CenterVeteran ServicesTransfer ServicesHonors ProgramEOPSAnd more!

What is Geography?

• The scientific study of the Earth's surface and its various climates, countries, peoples, and natural resources.

Fields of Geography

• Human or Cultural Geography– Deals with social, economic,

and behavioral processes

• Physical Geography– Examines the natural

processes occurring at Earth’s surface that provide the physical setting for human activities

Branches of Physical Geography

• Biogeography• Climatology• Coastal Geography• Environmental Geography• Geomorphology• Glaciology• Hydrology• Oceanography• Paleogeography

Branches of Human Geography

• Developmental Geography

• Economic Geography• Medical Geography• Transportation

Geography• Urban Geography

• Cultural Geography• Historical Geography• Political Geography• Population

Geography• Demography

What we will be studying…

• Four great physical realms or spheres of Earth– Atmosphere

• The gaseous layer that surrounds the earth– Lithosphere

• The outermost solid layer of the Earth– Hydrosphere

• The liquid realm of the Earth– Biosphere

• Encompasses all living organisms of the Earth

Tools Geographers Use• Maps

– Paper representations of space showing point, line, or area data

• Or more simply put, locations, connections, and regions

• Remote Sensing– Aircraft or spacecraft provide images of

earth’s surface• GIS or Geographic Information Systems

– Powerful computer mapmaking software connected to data bases

• Mathematical Modeling and Statistics– Used to understand natural and human

phenomenon

Next Class

• Chapter One– Quiz will open after class.

• Come to class prepared to learn : )