Physical Geography

Geography 101Professor Lisa Schmidt

Section 36748Mondays and Wednesday 7:05-8:30 PM

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– Physical Geography

California Edition• McKnight and Hess

• ISBN 0-558-11417-2• Required

– Goode’s World Atlas• ISBN 0-528-65000-3

– Or any recent World Atlas that contains physical maps

• Recommended– The Geography Coloring

Book• Wynn Kapit• 978-0131014725

Alternate Texts

• You may use older editions of this book.• 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 should be able to do the following:– Explain why we have

seasons – Describe the function and

composition of the atmosphere

• Discuss the earth's hydrologic cycle – Describe the structure of

the solid earth and relate it to phenomena such as earthquakes, mountain ranges and volcanoes

– Evaluate the effects of the atmosphere and the hydrosphere on the lithosphere

– Compare and contrast the earth's ecosystems

– Identify various landforms– Be more geographically

literate!

Grading Scale

• 3 Exams 100 points each = 300 points

• 14 Chapter Quizzes 10 points each = 140 points

• 5 Map Quizzes 25 points each = 125 points

• 1 Presentation = 100 points• 100 Random Points=100

points• Total Points Possible = 765

• 100-90% 765-688 A• 89-80% 687-612 B• 79-70% 611-535 C• 69-60% 534-459 D• 59-0% 458-0 F

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 6:30 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 6:30 PM.

• 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 6:30 PM.– 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 will be no less than five minutes and no more than ten.

• 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.

Random Points

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

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

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.

Last Day to Turn in Work

• The last day that extra credit work or late work (if it has been approved), will be accepted is Dec 7th.

• No exceptions will be made.

Dropping

• If you decide to drop, you must do it formally.

• If you stop coming to class, I have no way of knowing if you want to drop or receive and F.– I will give F’s, 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.

Extra Credit

• 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.

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 during class is inappropriateinappropriate. .

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

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

• The best way to reach me is by e-mail.

• My e-mail address is: Lisa_M_Schmidt@yahoo.com

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

• My voice mail is (760) 245-4271 ext. 8585.– I do not check my voice mail as

often as my e-mail.

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.

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 your paper is due.

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…

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

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

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