Johnson County Community College

JCCC Physical Geography GEOS 140-001 (11758) Spring 2015 Syllabus and Study Guide

Who? Lynne Beatty Email: best way to contact me is [email protected] Blog: http://blogs.jccc.edu/lbeatty/ hover the cursor over “About Page” to select your course Office: CLB 302 Office Phone: 913-469-8500, ext 3785 Office Hours: 1:30-3 pm on TR, 12-2 on F or by appointment

When and Where? Credit Hours: 3 Meeting time: 10 – 10:50 am, MWF in CLB 412 Prerequisites/Co-requisites: None The course outline and competencies are at http://catalog.jccc.edu/spring/coursedescriptions/geos/#GEOS_140

What is this class about? This course is a survey of the physical and environmental topics of geography including the methods used to study them. The Earth as a system and the subsystems of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere are the major units of study. You will learn the language of geography and use it to explain the Earth, the atmosphere and the landscape, and the processes that occur on earth to change the landscape. The topics may include: mapping with topographic maps and remote sensing; development and structure of the atmosphere; weather; water resources; climate; rock formation; plate tectonics; mountain building; chemical and physical weathering; mass movement; soil formation; erosion, transportation, and deposition by running water, wind, ice, currents, waves, and tides; and the foundation that these processes build for the biosphere on earth.

What books do I need? Arbogast, Alan F., 2014. Discovering Physical Geography, 3rd ed., Wiley. The Science Resource Center and the JCCC Library Reserve Desk have a copy of a former physical geography textbook should you have a textbook emergency. Science Resource Center in CLB 112A- requires your JCCC Student ID Card An excellent Internet resource for this class can be found at http://webs.cmich.edu/resgi/ Science Friday airs on KCUR 89.3 FM on Friday afternoons from 1-3 pm. NOVA airs on KCPT and KTWU public television stations on Wednesday evenings and repeats throughout the week.

Is there anything I should know before deciding to spend the semester in this course? Yes. You will actually have to attend class and prepare by reading the topical chapters and completing assignments and tests in order to have a successful experience. You should allow 3-6 hours outside of class each week to prepare for this class. If you think the course material is not rigorous enough, please see me for information on the Honors Program or for additional assignments. The sequence of assignments and the topics covered are subject to change with notice. Academic and student policies and procedures can be found at http://www.jccc.edu/student-handbook/

What are the homework and in-class activities like? We will graph and use geographic data and images to analyze and discuss trends. We will study current events, often with real-time data, by using weather, earthquake, volcano, and river web sites. Crossword puzzles will help you learn the language of geography. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to check http://blogs.jccc.edu/lbeatty/sample-page/physical-geography/ for homework assignments which are due on the due date and can also be submitted in the D2L Dropbox on the due date if you are absent on that day. In- class activities cannot be made up. What are the tests like? The five lecture unit tests consist of multiple choice, definitions, listing, short-answer essay, diagrams and image analysis with each exam worth one hundred points. Practice questions can be found a few days before the exam at http://blogs.jccc.edu/lbeatty/sample-page/physical-geography/ Your grades will be posted on the learning management system, Desire To Learn (D2L). Make-up exams can be taken at the Testing Center on the third floor of the Student Center. Any make-up exams not taken before May 13 will earn a grade of zero.

How do I earn a grade? A minimum of five exams 500 points A minimum of five assignments, quizzes, in-class activities 200 points

The grade for the course will be determined by you. A total of 700 points is possible for the course. Final grades are determined as follows: GRADE MINIMUM POINTS A 630 (90%) B 560 (80%) C 490 (70%) D 420 (60%) F < 420

Is there any extra-credit? You can read a book for fun that has physical geography concepts as part of the plot. To see the list and guidelines check out http://blogs.jccc.edu/lbeatty/sample-page/physical-geography/ There may be additional opportunities depending on community events.

Where can I go for help? Your teacher! The Academic Achievement Center http://www.jccc.edu/aac/ How to log in to D2L How to access student email Test Autopsies (analyze preparation strategy vs. performance on test) Study skills Time management skills Reading skills Math skills for non-math classes Note taking skills They are located in OCB 304 and are open evenings and Saturdays. The Writing Center http://www.jccc.edu/writingcenter/

What will happen to me if I do something dishonest? All JCCC students are expected to follow the Student Code of Conduct http://www.jccc.edu/policies/student-personnel-300/student-rights-319/student-code-319-01.html Anyone caught cheating (including plagiarizing) will be subject to any or all of the following: a zero for the work involved; an immediate “F” in the course; referral to college authorities for further discipline, including expulsion. The Science/Math Division Dean’s office is CLB 241.

What if I have a disability? JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you are a student with a disability and if you are in need of accommodations or services, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services and make a formal request. To schedule an appointment with an Access Advisor or for additional information, you can contact Access Services at (913) 469-3521 or [email protected]. Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center. What if there is a campus emergency? ALICE—an acronym for Alert Lockdown Inform Counter Evacuate explains the philosophy and basics steps of the A.L.I.C.E. program and how it can help you write a different script, one in which you can increase your chances of surviving an active encounter with an armed intruder. http://www.jccc.edu/administration/police/emergency-preparedness/college-emergency-response-plan/campus- violence.html

Emergency Shelter Areas http://www.jccc.edu/maps/floor-plans/classroom-lab/clb-4.html

What do I need to know if I decide to drop this course? Withdraw with 100% refund – January 27 Withdraw and not receive a W– Feb 16 Withdraw and receive a W or request P/F – April 15

Tentative schedule and required reading prior to each date

Physical Geography and Earth’s Atmosphere Jan 21 Ch 1 Introduction to Physical Geography Jan 23 Ch 2 The Geographer’s Tools Jan 26 Ch 2 The Geographer’s Tools and Ch 3 Earth-Sun Geometry and the Seasons Jan 28 Ch 3 Earth-Sun Geometry and the Seasons Jan 30 Ch 4 The Global Energy System Feb 2 Ch 4 The Global Energy System Feb 4 Ch 5 Global Temperature Patterns Feb 6 Ch 5 Global Temperature Patterns Feb 9 Exam 1 over Ch 1-5

Earth’s Atmosphere and Hydrosphere Feb 11 Ch 6 Atmospheric Pressure, Wind, and Global Circulation Feb 13 Ch 6 Atmospheric Pressure, Wind, and Global Circulation Feb 16 Ch 7 Atmospheric Moisture and Precipitation Feb 18 Ch 7 Atmospheric Moisture and Precipitation Feb 20 Ch 8 Air Masses and Cyclonic Weather Systems Feb 23 Ch 8 Air Masses and Cyclonic Weather Systems Feb 25 Ch 8 Air Masses and Cyclonic Weather Systems Feb 27 Ch 9 Global Climates and Global Climate Change Mar 2 Ch 9 Global Climates and Global Climate Change Mar 4 Exam 2 over Ch 6-9

Earth’s Lithosphere Mar 6 Ch 12 Earth’s Internal Structure, Rock Cycle, and Geologic Time Mar 9 Ch 12 Earth’s Internal Structure, Rock Cycle, and Geologic Time Mar 11 Ch 13 Tectonic Processes and Landforms Mar 13 Ch 13 Tectonic Processes and Landforms Mar 16, 18, 20 Spring Break – no JCCC classes Mar 23 Ch 13 Tectonic Processes and Landforms Mar 25 Ch 14 Weathering and Mass Movement Mar 27 Ch 14 Weathering and Mass Movement Mar 30 Exam 3 over Ch 12-14 Earth’s Lithosphere and Hydrosphere Apr 1 Ch 15 Groundwater and Karst Landscapes Apr 3 Ch 15 Groundwater and Karst Landscapes Apr 6 Ch 16 Fluvial Systems and Landforms Apr 8 Ch 16 Fluvial Systems and Landforms Apr 10 Ch 16 Fluvial Systems and Landforms Apr 13 Ch 17 Glacial Geomorphology: Processes and Landforms Apr 15 Ch 17 Glacial Geomorphology: Processes and Landforms Apr 17 Ch 17 Glacial Geomorphology: Processes and Landforms Apr 20 Ch 18 Arid Landscapes and Eolian Processes Apr 22 Ch 18 Arid Landscapes and Eolian Processes Apr 24 Ch 19 Coastal Processes and Landforms Apr 27 Ch 19 Coastal Processes and Landforms Apr 29 Ch 19 Coastal Processes and Landforms May 1 Exam 4 over Ch 15-19

Earth’s Biosphere May 4 Ch 11 The Global Distribution and Character of Soils May 6 Ch 11 The Global Distribution and Character of Soils May 8 Ch 10 Plant Geography May 11 Ch 10 Plant Geography May 13 Ch 20 Relevance of Physical Geography to Environmental Issues May 15 Ch 20 Relevance of Physical Geography to Environmental Issues May 20 Exam 5 over Ch 11, 10, and 20

Your Study Guide

Your goal is to acquire factual knowledge, explain fundamental principles, and apply those principles to real- Earth situations. The learning goals listed for each chapter cover broad concepts and are based on the following:

1. Foundational knowledge –understanding and remembering terms, concepts, and principles This category is your responsibility as you prepare for class by reading the assignment and completing the crossword puzzles.

2. Application – using foundational knowledge to analyze a situation or problem We will accomplish the goals in this category through homework assignments and discussions in class.

3. Integration –bringing together ideas We will accomplish the goals in this category through homework assignments and discussions in class.

4. Human dimension – identifying how physical geography affects humans and vice versa We will accomplish the goals in this category through homework assignments, discussions in class, and personal reflection.

5. Caring –developing interests and values related to the subject We will accomplish the goals in this category through homework assignments, discussions in class, and personal reflection.

6. Learning how to learn –carrying this experience onward in life We will accomplish the goals in this category through homework assignments, discussions in class and personal reflection. Physical Geography and Earth’s Atmosphere

Ch 1 Introduction to Physical Geography What is physical geography? What is systems theory and how does it apply to Earth? Describe the model of Earth involving the four spheres (abiotic and biotic). List the steps involved in using the Scientific Method and understand the significance of the word theory.

Ch 2 The Geographer’s Tools How is a position described by latitude and longitude? Locate the Equator, Tropics of Cancer/Capricorn, the Arctic/Antarctic Circles, and the Poles. Know the general locations of the low, mid, and high- latitude geographic zones. What are the three types of map scale? How do map scale and map projection affect what we see? How are remote sensing, global positioning systems, and geographic information systems used in the study of physical geography?

Ch 3 Earth-Sun Geometry and the Seasons What is the geometric relationship between the Earth and Sun through a year? How does sun angle vary on Earth on the equinoxes? What about the length of day on the equinoxes? What is the subsolar point and where is it on the solstices and equinoxes? What is solar noon? Explain how axial tilt is a reason for the seasons. How have you experienced the changing of the seasons?

Ch 4 The Global Energy System What is the electromagnetic spectrum of radiant energy? List three characteristics each for these atmospheric gases: nitrogen, oxygen, water vapor, carbon dioxide, and ozone. How does ozone in the stratosphere form? How does ozone in the stratosphere break down? What particulate matter pollution, natural and/or anthropogenic, affects your life here? Sketch and describe the pathways of solar radiation from the Sun to the Earth. What is albedo? How do clouds affect the amount of solar radiation received on the Earth’s surface? How is heat energy transferred? What is the Greenhouse Effect and why does it occur? Understand the energy budget in terms of surpluses and deficits by latitude.

Ch 5 Global Temperature Patterns Compare and contrast the zones of the modern atmosphere according to composition, temperature, and function. Explain the natural factors in the atmosphere and landscape that affect the occurrence/location of air pollution. How does temperature change with latitude, altitude, maritime versus continental locations, and cloud-cover? How does air temperature affect the human body? What is an isotherm? Contrast temperature patterns from one location to another and explain the differences. Why does the thermal equator change? Explain the daily cycle of temperature pattern and how net radiation is expended. What is an urban heat island and how does it occur? Earth’s Atmosphere and Hydrosphere

Ch 6 Atmospheric Pressure, Wind, and Global Circulation What factors influence air pressure? Interpret a map of isobars. Draw and describe the patterns of general atmospheric circulation around high and low pressure systems. What is advection? Explain the four driving forces that determine wind speed and direction. Locate and describe the pressure cells on Earth. How do the jet streams and Rossby waves affect our weather? Describe the formation of local winds (monsoon, land-sea breeze, and topographic winds) and where they occur. Describe the benefits of using wind as an energy resource in Kansas. What are the driving forces for surface currents and for deep ocean currents? Understand the general patterns or gyres of circulation in the ocean at the surface and with depth. Explain the roles of atmospheric pressure, wind, and ocean circulation in forming an El Nino.

Ch 7 Atmospheric Moisture and Precipitation Sketch, label, and describe a diagram of the hydrologic cycle. What is hydrogen bonding? Explain the physical states of water. What is latent heat? What is relative humidity and how is it related to temperature? What is the dew-point temperature? What is an adiabatic change? Describe the characteristics of the stratus, cumulus, and cirrus cloud classes. Compare and contrast advection fog, evaporation fog, upslope and valley fog, and radiation fog. How do raindrops form? Distinguish between convergent lifting, convectional lifting, orographic lifting and frontal lifting. Where and why does each type of lifting tend to develop? Compare and contrast a stable air mass with an unstable air mass. Describe the changes that take place in an ascending or descending air mass in unstable atmospheric conditions. How do long-term patterns of atmospheric pressure relate to droughts?

Ch 8 Air Masses and Cyclonic Weather Systems Name and describe the types of air masses. Contrast cold fronts, warm fronts, stationary fronts, and occluded fronts. Describe the formation, characteristics, and locations of cyclones (midlatitude, tropical) and the violent weather phenomena often associated with them. Interpret weather data, satellite imagery, and weather maps. Explain how your life has been affected by violent weather events.

Ch 9 Global Climates and Global Climate Change How is climate different from weather? List the factors used to classify a climate in the Koppen Climate Classification. Interpret a climograph and use climatic data to summarize the characteristics of each major climatic category (temperature, moisture, latitude, and seasonality of precipitation/temperature, location) using the Climate Tables. Given a hypothetical continent and location, sketch and label the climate zones. Describe how vegetation and glaciers can be used to reconstruct past climates. Use the Milankovitch Theory to explain how Earth-Sun Geometry can cause climate change. How does the use of fossil fuels affect climate? How does climate change affect the biosphere? Earth’s Lithosphere

Ch 12 Earth’s Internal Structure, Rock Cycle, and Geologic Time Describe the characteristics of the crust, mantle, and core. Contrast the characteristics of the lithosphere with the asthenosphere. What is an isostatic adjustment? Sketch and label the rock cycle. Distinguish between minerals and the three rock types. Know the terms for igneous plutons and recognize the landforms. Explain how radiometric time is determined. What is significant about the Anthropocene Epoch?

Ch 13 Tectonic Processes and Landforms Describe the ideas of Alfred Wegener (Continental Drift) that contributed to the development of the Theory of Plate Tectonics. Apply the atmospheric/oceanic heat transfer mechanism of convection to mantle plumes/hotspots and plate movement. List and describe the types of plate boundaries/margins. Compare and contrast anticlines and synclines. Compare and contrast normal faults, reverse faults and strike-slip faults. Relate the major mountain belts to type of orogenesis and plate boundary. How are earthquake intensity and magnitude measured? What is the difference between the focus and epicenter of an earthquake? Explain why some areas are more prone to earthquake activity. How does a tsunami occur? Compare and contrast a fluid eruption with an explosive eruption including the types of volcanic materials, landforms produced, and plate boundaries/margins. Explain the locations of volcanoes that are not at plate boundaries.

Ch 14 Weathering Mass Movement List and explain the factors that influence the weathering process. Distinguish between mechanical weathering and chemical weathering. Describe and recognize each of the mechanical and chemical weathering processes. What is mass movement (wasting)? Describe the types of mass movements and recognize the landforms. What factors, both natural and human-caused, contribute to mass movements? Earth’s Lithosphere and Hydrosphere

Ch 15 Groundwater and Karst Landscapes Describe the forms of soil moisture. Compare and contrast porosity with permeability. Sketch and label a diagram of the groundwater profile, including the unsaturated zone, saturated zone, water table, unconfined aquifer, aquiclude, confined aquifer, and an artesian well. Compare and contrast unconfined aquifers and confined aquifers. How does a cone of depression form? Discuss problems related to groundwater overuse and groundwater contamination. Develop an understanding of your use of water resources by looking at this month’s water bill. Relate the chemical weathering process of carbonation to Karst topography and its landforms.

Ch 16 Fluvial Systems and Landforms What is a drainage basin and how is it determined? Label and interpret the common drainage patterns. What do drainage density and stream orders tell us about an area? How do changes in width, depth, and/or velocity affect stream discharge? What features indicate erosion by running water has occurred even when the water is not present? Describe three ways a stream transports its sediment load. When do braided channels form? What is base level and how is it changed? Draw a map-view of a meandering channel and label the cut-bank and the point-bar. Recognize and define the landforms found associated with a river. Relate the stream’s gradient to its longitudinal profile. How does the hydrograph for a rural area compare to one for an urban area? How do human activities affect the river system? What strategies are used in floodplain management? How has your life been affected by living near a creek or river?

Ch 17 Glacial Geomorphology: Processes and Landforms How do glaciers form? Differentiate between the zone of accumulation and zone of ablation on a glacier. Compare and contrast internal deformation and basal slip. How do crevasses form? Differentiate between the different types of glaciers. Compare and contrast the types of erosion by glaciers: glacial abrasion and glacial plucking. Compare and contrast till with outwash. Recognize and define the glacial landforms that erosion and deposition by glaciers leaves behind. How did the Pleistocene Glaciation affect North America? Use the Milankovitch Cycle to list the changes that occurred in Earth-Sun geometry causing the Pleistocene Ice Age. What is happening to glaciers today? What is permafrost? What is happening to permafrost and how do humans deal with living in a permafrost area?

Ch 18 Arid Landscapes and Eolian Processes Review three reasons that explain the distribution of arid regions. Describe and identify landforms found in a desert environment. Describe how differential weathering produces desert landscapes. How does an alluvial fan form? Describe the principal wind erosion processes and their landforms. Describe how the wind transports sediment. Recognize and describe sand dunes (barchans, transverse, longitudinal, parabolic, star) and indicate the wind direction that formed them. What is loess and where does it form? Why does desertification occur? Ch 19 Coastal Processes and Landforms What is salinity? What is a eustatic change in sea level? Compare and contrast the causes of waves, currents, and tides. Explain why a wave breaks. How does wave refraction affect the coastline? What is the longshore current and how does it move beach drift? Recognize and define the landforms associated with erosional and depositional processes along the coast. How do coral reefs form? What is happening to coral reefs around the world? Discuss how human activity has altered the coastal environment. Relate climate change to sea level change and the appropriateness of building on a coastal area.

Earth’s Biosphere

Ch 11 The Global Distribution and Character of Soils What is soil? What are the five natural factors that determine soil formation? List 3 characteristics used to describe a soil horizon. Diagram and define the soil horizons found in a typical soil profile. Contrast eluviation and illuviation. Briefly describe the 12 soil orders with respect to climate, geologic parent material, time, topography, and biologic activity using the map and Soils Table. How and why has soil erosion affected regions of the world?

Ch 10 Plant Geography What is an ecosystem? What are the roles of autotrophs, heterotrophs, and decomposers in the food web? Explain the role of plants in photosynthesis and respiration. Relate the electromagnetic spectrum of energy to plants use of wavelengths. What is biomass and how is it measured? What is a biome? What is an ecotone? Use the Biome Table to recognize and determine a particular biome. Describe an example of plant succession. Describe the effects of deforestation, desertification, and the development of natural resources in a variety of biomes. What is vertical zonation of plant communities and why does it occur? In addition to altitude, what other characteristics act as limiting factors to plant growth? How have humans affected the natural distribution of biomes? How is diversity related to the stability of an ecosystem?

Ch 20 Relevance of Physical Geography To Environmental Issues How do changes in population, industrialization, and technology affect or impact Earth? How do population increases, standard of living increases, and technology affect Earth and humans? Describe the issue of water overuse in the southwestern United States and relate it to Kansas. Describe the issue of soil salinization and relate it to Kansas. Describe the development of fossil fuel resources and relate it to Kansas. Describe the importance of habitat and diversity in the ecosystem and relate it to Kansas. Develop an understanding of your footprint on Earth’s system. Science Resource Center CLB 112

You’ll need a JCCC Student ID card to use materials or computers in the Science Resource Center. Older editions of physical geography and geology textbooks are available for use in the Science Resource Center. Other study materials such as study guides on cds, minerals, rocks, topo map book, and stereopair book are also available for your use in the SRC. The SRC staff will be able to assist you if you provide them with my name and your course name, along with what you would like to use. The cds will hopefully be in a clear blue plastic folder marked Geosciences-Beatty.

Learning About Weather and Climate - by Queue For students enrolled in GEOS 140 Physical Geography: It explores the temperature and moisture characteristics of the atmosphere, the movements of air masses, and the formation of cyclones.

Topographic Maps - by Tasa For students enrolled in GEOS 130 General Geology or GEOS 141 Physical Geography Laboratory: It offers detailed explanations about the features on a topographic map such as map scale, latitude and longitude, contour lines, and much, much more. It provides many short exercises that would be especially helpful to you in your lab work.

Computer Tutorials for Physical Geology - by WCB, publishers For students enrolled in GEOS 130 General Geology but students in GEOS 140 Physical Geography will also find the sections on glaciers, rivers, mass wasting, deserts, and beaches useful. It is organized by topic, including minerals, rocks, plate tectonics, earthquakes, glaciers, mass wasting, rivers, deserts, beaches and many more. It is not necessary to do them in order. This program introduces the information and then asks several brief questions as a way to check for comprehension.

Plate Tectonics - For students in GEOS 130 General Geology and GEOS 140 Physical Geography. This program presents information about the various types of plate boundaries, earthquakes, and volcanoes.