Physical Geography Geo 130.001 Fall 2018
Earth’s magnetic field measured in nanoteslas Geo 130.001 Physical Geography CRN 12800
Darrel L. McDonald, Ph.D. Office: Liberal Arts North 350 Telephone: (936) 468-2330; 468-4405 Email: [email protected]
Class Meeting Time
11:00 – 12:15 TR Classroom FERG G78
Office Hours
MF 9:00 –10:00 am; TR 3:30 – 4:30 pm; T 10:00 – 11:00 am or by appointment
Required Text: Foresman, T. and A.H. Sthraler. 2012. Visualizing Physical Geography. 2nd Edition. J.C. Wiley & Sons. ISBN: 978-0-470-62615-3
Geo 130.001 Physical Geography Fall 2018
The course offers an academic opportunity:
A. for geography majors and minors that is part of their required curriculum; B. to meet a College of Liberal and Applied Arts core science requirement; C. to complement natural resource and environmental science majors; and D. to provide introduction for students of various disciplines interested in exploring the basic physical earth spheres of water, weather, climate, landforms and life on earth.
STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES
A. identify and discuss key geographic elements of the atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere; B. interpret maps and graphs of the world’s major physical patterns including climate and landforms, weather occurrences, plate tectonics, soils and water systems at global, regional and local scales; C. make informed decisions about current issues of conservation, preservation and critical social debates about climate change and development; and D. be able to discuss how physical geography processes impact local activities to world economies and life styles.
MY EXPECTATIONS FROM STUDENTS
A. Keep up with the reading assignments; and B. Participate in class discussions and activities to gain critical thinking experience keeping in mind: 1. you can better understand an idea by discussing what you know; and 2. learn that verbalization and visualization are major communication forms in modern society that you will need to be able to use to be successful in your chosen career.
GENERAL EVALUATIONS COMMENTS
A. Attendance will be taken – more than 4 unexcused absences will have a downward effect on course grade - see participation line in course evaluation; B. complete all classroom exercises and labs on specified dates (late work will lose 25% of value and any points missed on exercise); C. take exams at designated times – university excuse needed for makeup decision – complete make-up exams before the next scheduled exam or receive a zero for the exam.
PROGRAM LEARNING OBJECTIVES
PLOs Supported Program Objectives Skill Level Basic, Intermediate or Advanced PLO 1 The student will be able to prepare written and verbal All Levels presentations demonstrating geographical research using analyses and synthesis of appropriate primary data and documents. PLO 2 The student will possess geographic literacy as evidenced All Levels by the identification of the major concepts involved with human, physical, spatial and ecological relationships PLO 3 The student will be able to apply geographical knowledge All Levels and skills to a variety of problems or situations. PLO 4 The student will recognize the implicit assumptions behind Intermediate and claims of knowledge about the spatial world, will be able to Advanced evaluate and distinguish between strong and weak arguments, and will be able to draw sound conclusions from a set of premises.
STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES
SLOs Supportive Course Objectives Skill Level Basic, Intermediate and Advanced SLO 1 The student will be able to describe the basic concepts Intermediate and interactions of the four earth spheres: atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and lithosphere. SLO 2 The student will be able to demonstrate and discuss the Intermediate proper way to read various maps, images and graphs used to interpret weather and climate phenomena. SLO 3 The student will be able to discuss the affects that Intermediate weather and climate patterns have upon earth systems and human activities on the environment. SLO 4 The student will develop competencies to access weather Intermediate information using geospatial software and internet applications.
GEO 130.001 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY – FALL 2018 DATE TOPIC READING
28 August INTRODUCTION TO COURSE/ASSIGNMENTS 30 DISCOVERING THE EARTH’S DIMENSIONS 2 - 35 Introduction to LAB # 1
04 September THE EARTH’S GLOBAL ENERGY BALANCE 36 – 63 06 VIDEO QUIZ # 1 LAB # 1 DUE
11 AIR TEMPERATURE 64 – 95 Introduction to LAB # 2 13 ATMOSPHERIC MOISTURE/PRECIPITATION 96 – 127
18 **LAB # 2 DUE** 20 **EXAM I**
25 WINDS AND GLOBAL CIRCULATIONS 128 – 159 27 WEATHER SYSTEMS 160 – 191 Introduction to LAB # 3
02 October GLOBAL CLIMATES 192 – 237 04 **LAB # 3 DUE**
09 THE EARTH FROM INSIDE OUT 238 – 271 11 **VIDEO QUIZ # 2**
16 PLATE TECTONICS, EARTHQUAKES 272 – 307 AND VOLCANOES 18 **EXAM II**
23 WEATHERING AND MASS WASTING 308 – 329 Introduction to LAB # 4 25
30 FRESH WATER OF THE CONTINENTS 330 – 361 06 November **VIDEO QUIZ # 3** **LAB # 4 DUE**
13 LANDFORMS MADE BY RUNNING WATER 362 – 389 15 **EXAM III**
19 - 23 **THANKSGIVING BREAK**
GEO 130.001 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY – Fall 2018 DATE TOPIC READING
28 GLOBAL SOILS 454 – 483 30 BIOGEOGRAPHIC PROCESSES 484 – 517 Introduction to LAB # 5
04 December GLOBAL BIOGEOGRAPHY 518 – 555
06 *LAB # 5 DUE**
13 **EXAM IV (10:30 – 12:30)**
EVALUATION
EXAMS 4 X 100 400 LABS 5 X 50 250 VIDEO QUIZZES 3 X 25 75 PARTICIPATION 1 X 40 40 QUIZZES 7 X 20 140
TOTAL 905
A = 90% or more of total points B = 80% - 89% of total points C = 70% - 79% of total points D = 60% - 69% of total points F = Below 60% of total points
Participation in class - each absence reduces total by 10 points
Extra Credit Assignments (up to 2 events) can add 15 points per event with written summary (maximum of 30 points) – Must be completed BEFORE the last week of class Examples of acceptable extra credit assignments: Instructor assigned activities Instructor approved campus events involving speakers or acceptable functions
Geo 130.001 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPY – Fall 2018 Class Room Protocol
Attendance
Attendance and class participation are expected throughout the semester. Exams are to be taken during scheduled times. Make-up exam will be given only to students with valid university excuses (See: http://www.sfasu.edu/policies/class-attendance-and- excused-absence-6.7.pdf). Any missed exam not taken before the next exam period will receive a score of 0.
Students who do not attend class regularly or who perform poorly on class projects or exams may be referred to the Early Alert Program. This program provides students with recommendations for resources or other assistance available at SFASU to help students succeed.
Add/Drop policy and Withhold policy
This class will adhere to university calendar schedules for adding and dropping a course (See: http://www.sfasu.edu/policies/course-add-drop-6.10.pdf). A withhold grade will be only assigned upon consultation and agreement between the faculty member and student prior to the last week of the semester before finals. The decision will be based on situations which fit within university policy (See: http://www.sfasu.edu/policies/course-grades.pdf).
A student has one academic year to complete the requirements of the class to receive a completed course grade. If a student does not complete necessary work to meet class requirements, the WH will automatically roll to an F by university policy.
Academic Integrity
It is the instructor’s expectation that academic dishonesty will not be a problem in this class. SFASU does, however, have an Academic Integrity policy. You may read the policy at http://www.sfasu.edu/upp/pap/academic_affairs/CHEATING_AND_PLAGIARISM.html . Based on university policy cited above, plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated.
Students with Disabilities
To obtain disability related accommodations and/or auxiliary aids, students with disabilities must contact the Office of Disability Services (DS), Human Services Building, Room 325 as early as possible in the semester. The office telephone is (468- 3004). Once verified, DS will notify the course instructor and outline the accommodation and/or auxiliary aide to be provided.
Be aware that students also must contact the faculty member for the class to discuss and agree on services. For details see: http://www.sfasu.edu/disabilityservices/.
Acceptable Student Behavior
Student classroom behavior should not interfere with the instructor’s ability to conduct class or the ability of other students to learn from the instructional program utilized in the classroom. See Student Conduct Code, policy D-34.1 for details.
Students who disrupt the learning environment maybe asked to leave class and maybe subject to judicial, academic or other penalties. This prohibition applies to all instructional forums, including electronic, classroom, labs, discussion groups, field trips, etc. The instructor shall have full discretion over determining what behavior is appropriate or not appropriate in the classroom. More details can be found at: http://www.sfasu.edu./policies/student-cod-of-conduct 10.4.pdf.
The use of electronic devices to conduct class-related tasks is appropriate. Do not use electronic devices for non-academic purposes during the class period.
Seats are for sitting and not to be used as foot rests.
PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE BEHIND ANY TRACE OF FOOD OR DRINK BROUGHT INTO THE CLASSROOM OR LABORATORY.