GEOGRAPHY 101 – Introduction to Physical Geography

Summary:   What is physical geography?  Your book defines physical geography as “the spatial analysis of all the physical elements and processes that make up the environment: energy, air, water, weather, climate, landforms, soils, animals, plants, microorganisms, and Earth itself.”  In this class we will explore the fundamentals of these in an introductory synthesis emphasizing a systems approach to geosciences. We live on a large planet, but it is becoming smaller every day as the human population grows and the exchange of information occurs almost instantaneously from one side of the planet to the other. Every culture is influenced by its physical environment.  As such, it is critical for us to have an understanding of the physical environment in which ourselves and others live.


Required Texts: Christopherson's Geosystems 8th edition, ©2012, Prentice-Hall.
Web Material:  moodle.csun.edu  
Please check the course web page on a regular basis for copies of study guides and for announcements. Remember, too, you have a large number of helpful older resources at the old web site for the book: www.prenhall.com/mcknight


Course Objectives:
The three basic objectives of the course are:

 

1. To explore the spatial dimensions of the Earth’s dynamic systems
2. To evaluate the human-Earth relations from a holistic perspective
3. To analyze the worldwide impact of environmental events by synthesizing physical factors into a complete picture Earth system operations

 

Learning Outcomes:
In this course, you will learn the following:

1. To learn how spatial analysis is important in understanding the physical environment.
2. To describe the Earth’s four spheres and the systems that make up the physical environment.
3. To appreciate the physical environment in which you and others live.

 

Evaluation:
The achievement of these learning outcomes will be measured through four exams and a map assignment. For extra credit you may take a docent/ranger-led hike and turn in a paper of no more than 10 pages. The exams will cover the material after the previous exam. The last exam may have some cumulative material. I will give you a detailed study guide for each exam. The grade breakdown is as follows:

            Exams (4)                               92%
            Map Assessment                     4%   
            Attendance                             4%   
                                                          100%

Optional Extra Credit Field Trip                10 points (max)

Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities must register with the Center on Disabilities and complete a services agreement each semester. Staff within the Center will verify the existence of a disability based on the documentation provided and approve accommodations. Students who are approved for testing taking accommodations must provide a proctor form to their faculty member signed by a counselor in the Center on Disabilities prior to making testing arrangements. The Center on Disabilities is located in Bayramian Hall, room 110. Staff can be reached at (818) 677-2684.

Academic Conduct:
Please note that under no circumstances should you consider any form of cheating or plagiarizing in this course. If you are caught you will be given a failing grade for the course and you will be reported to the Dean of Social and Behavioral Sciences and also to the Dean of Academic Affairs for disciplinary measures. 

How to Get a Good Grade:
1. Read the chapter before or during the week of discussion.
Read the summary and review the questions at the end of the chapter
Check the book for new terms
Check out the book web site for sample tests and review material

2. Come to class. Leave the phones turned off which should also reduce the need for texting.

3. Take notes
Not everything presented appears on the Powerpoint slides
It will reinforce the lecture material and keep you focused (awake)

4. Ask questions
They can make the class more interesting and relevant
If something is not clear, ask during or after class. Otherwise you will probably skip it.
Email a question if you need to.

5. Don’t wait until the day before an exam to begin serious studying.
A good strategy is to review the chapter headings and content before they are covered in class to get a feel for what is coming. Then read the text and note anything that seems difficult. Ask yourself some questions or use those at the end of the chapter. Then when exam time comes you will just need to refresh what was covered rather than learn it for the first time. Also, review the Powerpoint presentations which will be on the class web site.

6. When taking an exam never leave any question unanswered.
Often you know more than you might think about a topic and so if you at least try, you may get some credit. Compare that to your odds of some credit if you leave the question unanswered.

7. Introduce yourself to someone in class.
That way you will have a contact should you miss class and you could have someone to study with before an exam. Ask each other questions. If you can’t explain something, then you haven’t learned it despite how positive you feel.

8. Make sure you turn in the outside assignments.
People who do not do well on exams often ask if there is some way they can do extra credit. The outside assignment fulfills this need and they is basically easy to complete.

9. If an emergency should cause you to miss an exam, email your situation as soon as possible. Do not ignore exams.

SCHEDULE

Keep in mind this schedule is tentative. It is your responsibility to come to class and check the course web page for any potential changes in this schedule.

Week	Topic
1	Introduction to Course/
	Chapter 1 – Introduction to Earth, Essentials of geography   Mapping Assignment
2	Essentials of geography                          Map Assignment Due
	Chapter 2 – Solar Energy
3	The Seasons, Profile of the Atmosphere
	Chapter 3 – Variable Atmosphere Components
4	Pollution
	Chapter 4 - Energy Balance
5	Exam #1
	Chapter 5  - Atmospheric Temperature
6	Chapter 6  - Pressure, Wind
	Patterns of Motion, Local Winds
7	Chapter 7 – Water Vapor, Stability
	Chapter 8 – Weather, Cyclones
8	Violent Weather
	Exam #2
9	Chapter 9 - Water Resources, Water Cycle
	Chapter 10 - Global Climate Systems
10	Climate Change
	Chapter 11 - Earth Structure
11	Chavez Day (No Class)
	Geologic Cycle, Rocks, Plate Tectonics Field Trip Assignment
	S p r I n g  B r e a k
12	Chapter 12 – Earth's Crust, Orogenesis
	Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Volcanos
13	Exam #3
	Chapter 13 – Weathering, Karst Landscapes
14	Mass Movement
	Chapter 14 – River Systems and Landforms
15	Chapter 15  - Oceans, Waves, Tides, Currents
	Wetlands, Human Impact
	Chapter 16 - Glaciation ?
	Field Trip Assignment Due
	Final Exam