GEOG 1–PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY (CAN 02)

Summer 2005

Instructor : Chris P. Gaugler  

 

Class Meets: Monday-Thursday, 5:15-7:30,  Los Banos 12

Office: IAC upstairs.  Hours: Class days 3:15-3:50 and LB after class (or arranged)

e-mail: gaugler.c@mccd.edu        Voice mail : 669-1656

 

Required resources

Essentials of Physical Geography ed 7  Gabler etal (bring book to class each day)

Access to the inter-net

 

Catalog description

In this course, the basic physical elements of the world are presented. Topics to be covered include topographic maps, earth-sun relationships, and time.  Weather processes and climates are correlated to human environments.  The forces creating and shaping land forms, including volcanism, earthquakes, water, ice, wind and wave erosion are also topics covered in this class.  The locations of major physical and cultural places in the world will also be studied.

 

Expected Student Outcomes

 

A. Solve earth-sun relationship problems.

B. Solve international time problems.

C. Compare and contrast basic weather phenomena.

D. Analyze the characteristics of the major climates and locate them.

E. Understand plate tectonics and vulcanism and identify manifestations of those forces.

F. Compare various land forms and explain the agents and processes of their creation.

G. Understand the physical world as the habitat of mankind.

H. Prepare maps of major physical locations of the world.

 

 

 

 

Guidelines

How will you do well in this course?

 

Approach this course as though it were important to you. 

Keep up with readings and assignments.  Turn in work on time.

Pay attention and ask questions.

Take useful notes. 

Find one or more study-buddies.

PLEASE ask the instructor for help when you need it, not after a tragic exam! 

            Believe it or not, your teacher wants for you to succeed. 

Missed assignments will cost you points (5% per class day).  Contact me with emergencies as soon as possible to minimize the pain.

 

Grades

 

                        Grades are assigned based upon total points in the class.  Points are accumulated

            according to the following assignment schedule.

 

EXAM  I                                              50                                            A = 90% or more

EXAM II                                              60                                            B = 80% or more

EXAM III                                             70                                            C = 70% or more

EXAM IV                                            80                                            D = 60% or more

EXAM V                                             70

Homework                                         40 for each exam section                            

Web reports                                       15 for each exam section                                        

 five e-c quizzes worth five points each  = 25

 

            For each lecture section, you will be assigned questions to answer and turn in before each exam.  These will also be discussed in class, and each student should be prepared to contribute to the discussion. The written HW is due the class day before the exam day.

 

Web reports: Select a web site from one of the current chapters. Give its name, URL, discuss what it is about, and tell me what you learned from it that is important, i.e. how will it affect your life or activities. These reports should be more than a page in length.

 

            Five quizzes (easy) will be given during the term. They are worth 5 points each if you get them right, and if you are in class on the day they are given. Quizzes may not be pre-announced, and cannot be ‘made-up’. These are extra-credit points!!

 

n                                  note: This instructor will be glad to review any papers turned in EARLY and return them for correction by the student.  This is a rare opportunity for you to avoid a poor grade!

 

                        note: Cheating on any assignment may result in a zero grade for that assignment, including exams.