McKnight and Hess (2009) Physical Geography, California Edition, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall

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1 GEOG 1 DE1, Spring 2010 Intro to Physical Geography Instructor: Dr. Thomas M. Orf Class Meeting and Time - Online class Office: 2411L Office Hours: 12:30 1:30 MW 9:30 11:00 TR Office Phone: torf@laspositascollege.edu Text: McKnight and Hess (2009) Physical Geography, California Edition, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall Course Earth s natural environments, with emphasis on spatial characteristics, change Description: over time, interactions between environmental components, and humanenvironment interactions. Physical processes, techniques, and tools by which Earth s climates, soils, vegetation, water resources, and landforms are linked into integrated global patterns. Affect of natural environments on human activities and how humans modify environments. Field trips may be included. 3 hours. Course Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to perform the following Objectives tasks: and Expected 1) Apply the techniques, tools and concepts of geography to the Outcomes: interpretation and analysis of spatial information, with emphasis on: 1) the geographic grid and locational concepts 2) space time relationships 3) maps 4) geographic information systems and remote sensing technologies. 2) Apply knowledge of atmospheric processes, air-sea interactions, weather elements events, and climate controls to the classification, properties, and distribution of world climate types. 3) Observe, describe, and explain the origins, characteristics, spatial distributions, interactions, and integrated patterns of climate, soils, vegetation, water resources, and landforms. 4) Recognize that all landforms are the result of the interaction of internal tectonic forces and external geomorphic processes. 5) Apply knowledge of these external and internal processes to an appreciation and understanding of the origins, characteristics, and spatial distributions of specific landforms.

2 6) Apply knowledge of resources, environmental hazards, and human environmental interactions to rational decision making processes and activities, which affect the habitability of Planet Earth. SLO: longitude. Meridians, With the use of a post-quiz (non-graded), the students demonstrate their knowledge of general map location skills based on the reference points of latitude and Topics being tested in the above listed SLO: Latitude, Longitude, Parallels, General Place Name Geography. Course Structure And Evaluation: This course is totally structured over the Internet. There will be no face to face interaction within the course but I will be totally available during office hours and by for any questions that you might have. Thus, my role is more of a facilitator than a lecturer. Evaluation will consist of the following: Quizzes Assignments. 320 pts. 160 pts. Grades will be distributed in the following manner: A = B = C = D = F = THE The assignments are questions from each chapter and can be found at the end of each unit. Those questions with answers are to be typed and submitted by the deadline. I will normally not assign every question and I will assign the ones that are required right after the previous unit is finished. They will be announced in advance in blackboard under content areas so keep abreast with the calendar for when they are due. Late homework will be deducted 4 points for each day they are late. QUESTIONS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED VIA INSTEAD OF USING MESSAGE CENTER IN BLACKBOARD. I rarely use the message center and prefer contact be made via or phone or office visit. For the quizzes, each quiz access period occurs over a two day period (see schedule

3 below). For those two days, you will have access to a 20-question examination with a 20 minute time limit for one time only. The quiz must take place over that time setting. You will not be allowed to take the quiz several time or will you be able to take part of the quiz, leave, and then return. Plus, remember, there is a 20 minute time limit. YES, THAT IS RIGHT; JUST A 20 MINUTE TIME LIMIT. Blackboard does not knock you out of the quiz after 20 minutes (it will let you finish) but then you will be told that it has to be graded by me. If you go over the 20 minutes, a zero will be recorded for that quiz. No make ups will be given unless ill and verified by a physician or other emergency as approved by the instructor. Thus, it is extremely important that you know the schedule before the semester begins. Each quiz is worth 20 points, Homework is worth 10 points each. The exam questions will be multiple choice. Since this class is totally on the internet, the exam questions will come from the test bank that was created with the text book. When you logon to take the quiz, blackboard will randomly pick 20 questions for you to take. EACH STUDENT WILL BE GIVE 20 DIFFERENT QUESTIONS SO NO TWO TESTS WILL BE THE SAME. Once you have finished and submitted the questions, the scores for the quiz (as well as all assignments) will be recorded and posted in blackboard under grades. Each quiz will be over just one unit with the exception of the first quiz which will be over parts of the first two chapter (I will tell you which parts once the class has begun). There are no comprehensive tests or final in this class. Policies: 1. Students must turn in all assignments and take quizzes on the date assigned. No make-ups will be given unless ill and verified by a physician or for an emergency. You must be present for the attendance quizzes.. 2. Extra credit may or may not be given during the term. 3. Cheating will not be tolerated. Such action will result in a zero on that particular assignment or exam and possible further disciplinary action. 4. If you are having trouble with a concept or class procedure, please make every effort to see me during my office hours. If these hours are inconvenient for you, please see me so that we can arrange a mutually acceptable time. Also, please let me know of any special accommodations that may be required. 5. Here is a list of out of bounds things that will result in a zero on an assignment or

4 quiz. 1) Cut and paste anything for your assignments from other people or the Internet. All the work must be your own. Using cut and paste is considered cheating. 2) Having someone else take your exam or quiz or turn in your assignment 3) totally missing a quiz 4) plagiarism of any type 6. Withdrawal Policy: See college catalog 7. If you are having problems logging into blackboard, or with any other technical (i.e. computer or web) issues that are preventing you from doing course work, please contact the distance education personnel at the las positas website under online learning. Here is the web link: The above website will also show you how to use blackboard. For questions regarding grades, course material, quizzes, assignments, late work, and geography concepts and information, please contact me at torf@laspositascollege.edu. I will get back to you usually in 24 hours unless it is a weekend. If you don't get a response after two days, please try again or leave a phone message! I never ignore s from students, so you don't get a reply, something went wrong in cyberspace. DUE DATE TOPIC OR QUIZ TEXT READING Jan. 20 Class Begin Feb. 1 Chapter 1-2 Questions Due Chapters 1-2 Feb. 1-2 Chapter 1-2 Quiz Available Feb. 8 Chapter 3 Questions Due Chapter 3 Feb. 8-9 Chapter 3 Quiz Available Feb. 22 Chapter 4 Questions Due Chapter 4 Feb Chapter 4 Quiz Available. March 1 Chapter 5 Questions Due Chapter 5 March 1-2 Chapter 5 Quiz Available March 8 Chapter 6 Questions Due Chapter 6 March 8-9 Chapter 6 Quiz Available March 22 Chapter 7 Questions Due Chapter 7 March Chapter 7 Quiz Available March 29 Chapter 8 Questions Due Chapter 8 March Chapter 8 Quiz Available April 12 Chapter 12 Questions Due (We skip Chapters 9-11) Chapter 12 April Chapter 12 Quiz Available

5 April 15 Chapter 13 Questions Due Chapter 13 April Chapter 13 Quiz Available April 26 Chapter 14 Questions Due Chapter 14 April Chapter 14 Quiz Available May 3 Chapter 15 Questions Due Chapter15 May 3-4 Chapter 15 Quiz Available May 6 Chapter 16 Questions Due Chapter 16 May 6-7 Chapter 16 Quiz Available May 10 Chapter 17 Questions Due Chapter 17 May Chapter 17 Quiz Available May 12 Chapter 18 Questions Due Chapter 18 May Chapter 18 Quiz Available May 20 Chapter 19 Questions Due Chapter 19 May Chapter 19 Quiz Available May 24 Chapter 20 Questions Due Chapter 20 May Chapter 20 Quiz Available (Final Exam during Final Exam week) Note: Other supplemental reading assignments may be given periodically. Note: Changes to the schedule above can be made with one week s notice.