Intro geog 106 fall 2015
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This course is an introduction to environmental geography. The course will examine environmental challenges like population growth, economic growth, climate change, and their impacts. Students will learn to think critically about these issues and potential solutions. The course objectives are to understand environmental processes and problems, differentiate biological and social issues, and recognize threats to global survival like biodiversity loss. Assignments include chapter quizzes, exams, a research project with a presentation, and participation points. The syllabus outlines policies on late work, absences, and academic honesty.
Intro geog 106 fall 2015
- 1. Geography 106 Geographic Perspectives on the Environment Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:00-5:50 PM Reference 4316 Section 01 Professor Lisa Schmidt
- 3. Required Text • Required Text: • Environmental Geography: Science, Land Use, and Earth Systems, 3rd Edition • William Marsh and John Grossa • ISBN-13: 978- 0471482802
- 4. Materials Required • Pens • Pencils • Paper • Internet Access • Recommended: – Colored Pens/Pencils
- 5. Course Description There may be no more crucial subject of study today than the study of Earth’s environmental problems. This course is an introduction to some of those problems. When you finish this course, you will be able to think and speak effectively about the environmental challenges we face today, particularly those related to population growth, economic growth, the declines of traditional cultures, poverty, energy use, climate change and their impacts. You will be able to answer the question “what can we do to avoid a crisis in the global environment?” Geography as a discipline is an ideal vehicle for understanding problems and finding solutions in the global environment. Geography’s great strength as a science is its holistic perspective, integrating understanding of people with understanding of the natural environment. Using geographic perspectives, in this class we will ask not “how can we best protect nature?” but “how can we best protect nature while enduring an adequate standard of living for the world’s people?” You will gain a global perspective on our environment through geography. You will use the geographical approach to understand the biosphere, environmental principles, economics and environment, human impact, extinction and biodiversity, food/population crises, the social environment, global tampering, and contemporary values in global environmental issues.
- 8. Course Objectives • Distinguish between scientific and non-scientific questions and apply that • distinction to global environment issues. • Demonstrate an understanding of environmental processes (energetics, succession, • biogeochemistry) in relationship to global issues. • Define the essential issue/problem in an environmental problem. • Differentiate between a biological issue from a social environmental issue. • Characterize environmental hazards in relationship to cultural traditions globally. • Distinguish between the various environmental problems as to which pose real • threat to the global environment and which are social, political, or aesthetic. • Recognize the implications of biodiversity/extinction and climatological • modification to world survival. • Recognize the social and resource implications of the population crisis.
- 9. Assignments
- 10. Grading Scale
- 11. Chapter Quizzes • There will be 18 chapter quizzes. – These will be given using Blackboard. – You will have one week to complete quizzes. – Quizzes will close at 3:30 PM on their due dates. • Quizzes will be multiple choice, true and false, matching, and/or short paragraphs.
- 12. Exams • There will be 4 exams. – Exams will be based on chapter quizzes but will also contain some new material. • Tests will be given using Blackboard. – You will have one week to complete exams. – They will close at 3:30 PM on their due dates. – A study guide will be available for each exam.
- 13. Presentation Project • For this class, you are required to complete a research project and give a presentation. • The project will be based on topic discussed during this class. • You will pick a problem and solve it. • The problem will happen in stages through the course – see the schedule in the syllabus. • Details will be posted on the class web page. • You may work in group IF you choose. • You may make a video as an alternative to presenting in class.
- 14. Participation Points • At any time during this course I might give a surprise assignment. If you are not here, you will not receive those points. Participation points will also be used for parts of your project – topic, sources, and research questions.
- 15. Changes
- 16. Class Schedule At this time, please take a look at the schedule in your syllabus….
- 17. Late Work and Missed Exams • Late work will not be accepted. • Do not ask for quizzes or exams to be reopened if you miss them, unless you have a documented emergency.
- 18. 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 wish to be dropped. • I also reserve the right to drop students for excessive tardiness. • Excessive tardiness is being late more than three times. • If you are going to be late, come in quietly and take a seat WITHOUT interrupting lecture.
- 19. Dropping • If you are in attendance today, or you add the class today, you are enrolled and at this point it becomes your responsibility to drop the class should you decide you to not wish to be in it any longer. • If you stop attending and you do not drop, you will likely receive an F.
- 20. Extra Credit • Some extra credit may be offered through the semester. • You should be here to that you hear when things like this are happening. • Attendance is important for a number of reasons…
- 21. Academic Honesty • Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. • Any incidences of cheating or plagiarism will be reported to the dean’s office. – Please refer to San Bernardino Valley College’s policy on academic honesty
- 22. Cell Phones and Texting • Use of cell phones for talking or texting during class is inappropriate. • You may be asked to leave the classroom if you are talking or texting on your phone during lecture. Phones should be set to silent mode when in class. • Use of cell phones for learning and especially for geography is AWESOME! And that is encouraged : )
- 23. Disabilities • If you need accommodations, please let me know. • If you think you might need help, contact the DPS Office at 384-4443
- 24. Blackboard • Blackboard will be used during this course. • You must access Blackboard to take your quizzes and exams. • If you need help, please stay after we are done and I will show you where to log in.
- 25. Contacting Me • You can text me or leave a voice mail at 760 440 8977 • Email me at ProfessorLisas@gmail.com
- 27. E-mailing Assignments/My Mailbox • Please do not e-mail assignments to me. • If you cannot make it to class when something is due, please contact me. • I do have a mailbox downstairs where you can leave things if you need to.
- 28. Class Web Page • http://schmidtenvgeog.wikispaces.com • This web page has been created for this class. • Power Points and other resources will be available on this web page as well as instructions for your projects.
- 29. What is Geography? • The scientific study of the Earth's surface and its various climates, countries, peoples, and natural resources.
- 30. 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
- 31. Branches of Physical Geography • Biogeography • Climatology • Coastal Geography • Environmental Geography • Geomorphology • Glaciology • Hydrology • Oceanography • Paleogeography
- 32. Branches of Human Geography • Cultural Geography • Developmental Geography • Economic Geography • Medical Geography • Historical Geography • Political Geography • Population Geography • Demography • Transportation Geography • Urban Geography
- 33. 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
- 34. State of the World • Biosphere: Geography of the Biosphere • Human Impact vs. Natural Catastrophe • Problems with Natural Resources • Problems of Global Contamination • Problems of Global Tampering • Problems of Human Activity Levels • Human Considerations
- 35. Biosphere: Geography of the Biosphere • Energy • Succession • Biogeochemistry • Ecosystems
- 36. Human Impact vs. Natural Catastrophe • What is natural and unnatural.
- 37. Problems with Natural Resources • Agriculture and Food Production • Air and Water • Energy Resources • Land, Wildlife, and Biodiversity • Recycling the Natural Environment
- 38. Problems of Global Contamination • Toxic Waste • Radiation • Ozone Depletion • Climate Change
- 39. Problems of Global Tampering • Climate Modification • Loss of Biodiversity • Desertification • Loss of Rainforests
- 40. Problems of Human Activity Levels • Overpopulation • Food Crisis • Urbanization • Agriculture and Land Abuse • Urban Waste Disposal
- 41. Human Considerations • What is a sustainable global society? • Contemporary values in Western society toward the natural world • Non-Western views towards nature • Ethics for the future