Physical Geography 1 Syllabus Fall 2008

Vicki Drake Web Page: http://homepage.smc.edu/drake_vicki (818) 364-7600, ext. 4231 (voicemail) Email: [email protected]

Physical Geography 1 – Syllabus – Fall 2008

COURSE DESCRIPTION/OBJECTIVES Physical geography is the study of the Earth’s surface and the four great realms: the atmosphere, the biosphere, the lithosphere, and the hydrosphere. The biosphere includes the land surface that is covered by soil and vegetation. The atmosphere includes the lower layers in which clouds and weather occur. The lithosphere is the upper layer of the Earth’s crust, which provides materials for landforms shaped by wind, waves, ice and running water. The hydrosphere is the upper layer of the oceans, where ocean currents and coastal processes occur. The physical processes within each of these four great realms of the Earth’s surface, as well as the interrelationships between these processes, are examined through the use of lectures, slides, videos, and other geographic tools (including maps, charts, graphs and more).

REQUIRED TEXTS Essentials of Physical Geography, 7th edition (8th?): by Gabler, et al Physical Geography Supplement, by Vicki Drake (in bookstore)

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION Grading will be on the following: attendance and participation in class, completed assignments (as directed by instructor), three exams and a final exam. The first three exams will consist of objective questions and essay questions. The Final Exam will consist of objective questions and essays. If all of the first three examinations are attempted, the lowest score will be dropped. NO MAKE-UP EXAMINATIONS WILL BE GIVEN! If you miss an exam, that will be the score dropped. Everyone must take the Final Examination: failure to do so will result in a grade of FAIL no matter the grade going into the Final! Grades will be computed mathematically based on the number of points received per exam. Point totals are used in calculating grades, not letter grades. Keep your attendance regular and punctual, absences in excess of 3 may result in exclusion from the class. Arriving late for class is disruptive for everyone, and habitual tardiness may result in exclusion from class.

GETTING HELP! If you are having difficulty with the concepts presented in class, I will be happy to help you. Please see me after class or during my ‘office hour’ if you are having problems. You may leave a message for me on my Voice Mail or contact me through e-mail. Getting help early in the semester will assure a more successful course grade!

ACADEMIC HONESTY Students violating college policies regarding personal conduct and academic honesty are subject to disciplinary measures. Disruptive behavior in the classroom will not be tolerated and may result in temporary (or permanent) removal from the class. Additionally, cheating, copying, plagiarism (either from another’s paper, from a pre-written assignment, or downloaded from the Internet) of written assignments or during an exam will result in removal from the class, a grade of F for the semester and possible expulsion from the College. Please refer to the Standards of Student Conduct in the current College catalog.

1 SCHEDULE (Tentative schedule – Subject to Change!)

DATE TOPIC READING

Sept 1: Labor Day Holiday – No Class

Sept 10: Introduction Chapter 1 Representations of Earth Chapter 2

Sept 15: Earth as a Planet in Space Chapter 3 The Atmosphere Chapter 4

Sept 22: The Atmosphere Chapter 4 Heat, Energy and Temperature

Sept 29: Exam 1 Air Pressure and Winds Chapter 5

Oct 6: Global Circulation Chapter 5

Oct 13: Moisture, Condensation, Clouds Chapter 6

Oct 20: Air Masses and Fronts Chapter 7 Thunderstorms, Tornadoes and Hurricanes Chapter 7

Oct 27: Exam 2 Rocks and Minerals/Plate Tectonics Chapter 13

Nov 3: Volcanic/Tectonic Landforms Chapter 14 Earthquakes

Nov 10: Veteran’s Day Holiday – No Class

Nov 17: Exam 3 Weathering Chapter 15

Nov 24: Mass Wasting Chapter 15 Ground Water & Karst Topography Chapter 16

Dec 1: Ground water and Karst Topography Chapter 16 Fluvial Processes Chapter 17

Dec 8: Fluvial Processes Chapter 17 Arid Landforms and Aeolian Processes Chapter 18

Dec 15: FINAL EXAM