GEOG Section MW 9:00-10:20 Introduction to Physical Geography Fall 2012

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1 Instructor: Michael Pool Office Hours: Riverside Bldg G o MW 10:30-11:30 South Austin Campus o TTH 12:00-2:00 Home: (no calls after 10:00 p.m.) mpool@austincc.edu GEOG Section MW 9:00-10:20 Introduction to Physical Geography Fall 2012 Classes start Aug. 27 Aug. 29 McKnight Chapter 1 o Hess: Lab Exercise 2, Part I 1-2 & Part II 1-2 Sept. 3 Labor Day Sept. 5 McKnight Chapter 2 & 3 o Hess: Lab Exercise 4, Part I Sept. 10 McKnight Chapter 4 o Hess: Lab Exercise 7 Sept. 17 McKnight Chapter 5 o Hess: Lab Exercise 10 Parts I & III (Not Part II) Sept. 24 McKnight Chapter 6 o Hess: Lab Exercise 13, Parts I & II 1-2 (S.I. Units) o Hess: Lab Exercise 14, Parts I & II (S.I. Units) Oct. 1 McKnight Chapter 7 o Hess: Lab Exercise 16, Parts I & II Hint : Oct. 3 Test 1 (Chapters 1-7) (10:20 am to Oct. 5, 11:55 pm) Lab Manual Exercises 2, 4, 7, 10, 13-14, & 16 Due For Part II #3b, referring to the feathered staffs is NOT the answer. What do they represent? Oct. 8 Oct. 15 McKnight Chapter 8 o Hess: Lab Exercise 21, Parts I o Hints: On the climographs be sure that temperature is a line graph, and precipitation is a bar graph. Be sure to follow the "Procedures for Classifying Climates" on pages Be sure to pay special attention to 3. to determine if it should be a dry climate (B climate) or not. Use the whole 2 or 3 letter code for the Koppen Climate Type. Dominant Climate Controls are found in the text book. McKnight Chapter 9 o Hess: Lab Exercise 24 o Hint: Elevations between contour lines are estimated to the nearest one-half-contour interval. Oct. 22 1

2 McKnight Chapter 10 & 11 o Hess: Lab Exercise 25 o Hint: For #3, find the highest elevation instead of the benchmark. For #7, the answer has to do with the area the map covers. o Hess: Lab Exercise 26 Oct. 29 McKnight Chapter 12 o Hess: Lab Exercise 27 o Hints For #1-3: Look at the top edge of the map in Figure What are the Ranges indicated (there are only 2)? Are they E, W, or both? Look on the left edge of the map in Figure What are the Townships.indicated (there are only 2)? Are they N, S, or both? For #6, change to "Describe two kinds of human/cultural features taht follow the Public Land Survey grid on Figure 27-3." Oct. 31 Test 2 (Chapters 8-12) (10:20 am to Nov. 2, 11:55 pm) Lab Manual Exercises 21 & Due Nov. 5 McKnight Chapter 13 & 14 o Hess: Lab Exercise 30 Hint: For Part II 1., measure the distances from decimal point to decimal point. o Hess: Lab Exercise 33, Parts I 1-2, III o Hint Answer 2(b) anyway o Hess: Lab Exercise 34, Parts 1-3 & 5 & Part II o Instruction For Part 1 use Fig to place your answers. Nov. 12 McKnight Chapter 15 & 16 o Hess: Lab Exercise 37, Parts III & IV (do NOT do the Google Earth part) Nov Thanksgiving Nov. 26 Last Day to Withdraw Nov. 26 McKnight Chapter 17 & 18 o Hess: Lab Exercise 41, Part I o Hess: Lab Exercise 42, Parts III 1-3 & IV o Hess: Lab Exercise 43 Dec. 3 McKnight Chapter 19 o Hess: Lab Exercise 45, Parts I & III Dec. 5 McKnight Chapter 20 Dec. 12 Test 3 (Chapters 13-20) (10:20 am to Dec. 14, 11:55 pm) Lab Manual Exercises 30, 33-34, 37, 41-43, & 45 Due Texts Darrell Hess (2010) Physical Geography: A Landscape Appreciation, Tenth Edition. Prentice Hall: Upper Saddle River, NJ. ISBN- 13: Darrell Hess. (2010) Laboratory Manual for Physical Geography: A Landscape Appreciation, Tenth Edition. Prentice Hall: Upper Saddle River, NJ. ISBN-13:

3 Package of Both: ISBN-13: ACC Bookstore The package (recommended) of the text book and lab manual is: New $ or Used $ The textbook by itself is New $ or Used $117.60, Rent $76.85, or Rent etextbook $ The Lab Manual by itself is: New $66.40 or Used $ You can also order the textbook and lab manual directly form Pearson/Prentice Hall: Textbook: Package (Book a la Carte and Lab Manual): $ Package (Textbook and Lab Manual): $ Package (Book a la Carte, Goode's World Atlas, Study Guide, and Lab Manual): $ Hard Cover: $156.80, Book a la Carte (losseleaf): $102.00, On-Line E-Book: $ Lab Manual: $ You can also order from the Barnes and Noble college textbooks web site: Textbook: $ and Lab Manual: $ You can also order from Ecampus.com Textbook New: $152.88, Used: $107.41, Rental: $38.20 (Semester), etextbook (180 days) $ Other internet sources can be found at Web Best Buys: Textbooks, Lab Manuals. If you wish to rent the textbook for the semester from Chegg, the price is $46.99 for the textbook. The lab manual is $57.99 bought new. Chegg Policy: Some highlighting in the textbook is acceptable; writing in the book is not accepted. We ask that you are considerate while using the book. A book returned with every other line of every page highlighted is overdoing it. Problems with renting 1. Make sure you order the right edition. You may NOT get the right edition anyway. 2. Textbooks are generally NOT a problem, although delivery timecan be a problem. 3. Lab Manuals are frequently the wrong edition or do NOT have all of the exercises. Course Description This course introduces the student to an area of study that brings together and interrelates the important elements of the physical environment of humans. The nature and characteristics of the physical environment, their development and distribution are emphasized. As such, this course studies the factors that affect the earth's surface and create the environment and landscape that forms the human habitat. It shows the broad diversity of disciplines and information used in the study of physical geography: The class covers maps and map reading, weather and climate, water, soils, fauna and flora, and land forming processes and the dynamic relations among these processes. Course Objectives By the end of this course, the student will: o be able to define what Geography and Physical Geography are. o explain how hydrologic, tectonic, erosional, and atmospheric processes, as well as earth and sun relationships, shape the physical environment and landscape and how these physical processes affect our daily life. o understand map use and analysis and the directional and locational systems employed on the surface of the Earth. o be able to describe the physical principles and processes governing the circulation and characteristics of the atmosphere and climates on Earth. o be able to define the principles of basic climate classifications and the climate controls of each climate regime and identify the major characteristics of each of the global climate regions. o Demonstrate an understanding of the distribution and dynamics of organisms and their environments. Course Rationale Introduction to Physical Geography GEOG 1301 is designed to: provide students with a basic knowledge of the earth s environment and its components and the interrelations among the various environmental elements provide that will provide a general education that assists students to think critically and to apply the basic knowledge, skill, 3

4 and principles of physical geography to everyday life and their chosen careers to prepare them for transfer and success in a baccalaureate degree granting institution. Instructional Methodology This class uses textbook reading, lecture, class discussion, and laboratory manual exercises to introduce students to the discipline of physical geography. Grading Exams (300 points total): There will be three multiple choice tests. They are on the Blackboard site. You have two attempts to take the test. The higher of the two attempts will be your grade. Class will be held the date of the test for review. You have from 11:50 that day to 11:55 pm the following Saturday to take the test. Lab Manual Exercises (100 points): There are 20 graded exercises. Each exercise is worth 5 point. Exercises are due the date of the test for that material. Used lab manuals need to be accepted by the instructor. Xerox copies are accepted. Participation (100 points): This part of your grade is based on your attendance (60 points), chapter summaries (20 points), and class discussion (20 points). Attendance (60 points): Will be taken from Sept. 4 through Dec. 6. You will receive the following points based on absences: Absences Points Absences Points Absences Points Absences Points Chapter Summaries (20 points): You will write a typed, one page (minimum 275 word) summary of each chapter (Chapters 1-20). The summary is due on the date listed in the syllabus for that chapter; you will receive 1.0 points for each summary when handed in on time. The summaries will be accepted late until the day of the test that covers that chapter but will only count 0.5 points. Discussion (20 points): You can earn up to 20 points for participating in class discussions. This means consistently asking questions, answering questions, and discussing the material. At the end of the semester (Dec. 10), the class will evaluate each individual to determine how many points each student receives. All from and to the instructor must use the student s ACC account. Grades A= points B= points C= points D= points Policies 1. One percent of the points for an assignment will be deducted from your grade for each calendar day an assignment is late after its due date Points will be deducted until a maximum 70% of the points that can be earned; points will not be deducted below 70%. After Dec. 12, a score of zero will be recorded 2. It is not my policy to drop students; it is the student's responsibility to drop the class. It is ACC policy that it is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the roll should he or she decide to withdraw from the class. The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary. If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before the Final Withdrawal Date. The student is also strongly encouraged to retain their copy of the withdrawal form for their records. Students 4

5 who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a course taken since Fall, 2002, may be charged a higher tuition rate, for that course. State law permits students to withdraw from no more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career at Texas public colleges or universities. With certain exceptions, all course withdrawals automatically count towards this limit. Details regarding this policy can be found in the ACC college catalog. 3. Students are responsible for informing me when they show up for class after roll is called. 4. Incompletes are discouraged and will only be given for extenuating circumstances. Time conflicts and poor time management are not acceptable reasons; ACC has a very liberal drop policy you can use in these circumstances. An incomplete grade cannot be carried beyond the established date in the following semester. The completion date is determined by the instructor but may not be later than the final deadline for withdrawal in the subsequent semester. 5. A student attending ACC assumes responsibility for conduct compatible with the mission of the college as an educational institution. Students have the responsibility to submit coursework that is the result of their own thought, research, or self-expression. Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research, or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework. In cases of scholastic dishonesty (cheating) and after meeting with the student or notifying the student of the reasons for believing scholastic dishonesty occurred, a grade of 0 will be recorded for any work determined by the instructor to result from an act of scholastic dishonesty. The Dean of Student Services will be notified of the incident and the academic penalty and will determine if any further disciplinary penalty will be assessed. The student can accept the penalty or dispute in writing to the Dean, within five (5) College class days (excluding weekends) of the student's receipt of written notice of the academic penalty assessed, either the facts of the offense or the academic penalty assessed. The student is referred to the ACC Student Handbook for further details ( 6. Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to request accommodations when they register for courses or at least three weeks before the start of the semester, otherwise the provision of accommodations may be delayed. Students who have received approval for accommodations from OSD for this course must provide the instructor with the Notice of Approved Accommodations from OSD before accommodations will be provided. Arrangements for academic accommodations can only be made after the instructor receives the Notice of Approved Accommodations from the student. Students with approved accommodations are encouraged to submit the Notice of Approved Accommodations to the instructor at the beginning of the semester because a reasonable amount of time may be needed to prepare and arrange for the accommodations. Additional information about the Office for Students with Disabilities is available at 7. Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in class discussions. In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints. Students may not only disagree with each other at times, but the students and instructor may also find that they have disparate views on sensitive and volatile topics. It is my hope that these differences will enhance class discussion and create an atmosphere where students and instructor alike will be encouraged to think and learn. Therefore, be assured that your grades will not be adversely affected by any beliefs or ideas expressed in class or in assignments. Rather, we will all respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions. However, the student must be aware that answers to exam questions must reflect course content as provided in the text and in lecture, even if the student disagrees with the concept, definition, example, or exposition. 8. Austin Community College is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for study and work. You are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow ACC safety policies. Additional information on these can be found at Because some health and safety circumstances are beyond our control, we ask that you become familiar with the Emergency Procedures poster and Campus Safety Plan map in each classroom. Additional information about emergency procedures and how to sign up for ACC Emergency Alerts to be notified in the event of a serious emergency can be found at Please note, you are expected to conduct yourself professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual will be dismissed from the day s activity, may be withdrawn 5

6 from the class, and/or barred from attending future activities. You are expected to conduct yourself professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual will be immediately dismissed from the day s activity, may be withdrawn from the class, and/or barred from attending future activities. 9. All College communication to students will be sent solely to the student s ACCmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify you of any college related emergencies using this account. Students should only expect to receive communication from their instructor using this account. Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff. Instructions for activating an ACCmail account can be found thttp:// 10. ACC strives to provide exemplary support to its students and offers a broad variety of opportunities and services. Information on these services and support systems is available at: Links to many student services and other information can be found at: ACC Learning Labs provide free tutoring services to all ACC students currently enrolled in the course to be tutored. The tutor schedule for each Learning Lab may be found at: For help setting up your ACCeID, ACC Gmail, or ACC Blackboard, see a Learning Lab Technician at any ACC Learning Lab. Geography Tutor: Pat Blankenship, South Austin Learning Lab Room 1138, Extracredit Internet Quizzes 9 th edition (10 points): You will receive 0.5 points added to your final grade for completing all quizzes for each chapter with a minimum grade of 70% for each exercise at the publisher s web site ( Print out the score page for each quiz and hand it in by the date of the test for that chapter. You receive credit for doing the exercises with a minimum grade of 70% and not the score itself. 6