GEOG 101: PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
FALL 2011
INSTRUCTOR: Cecelia Hudelson Putnam
PHONE: (209) 575-6104
OFFICE: Pirates Village 103 C
E-MAIL ADDRESS: hudelsonputnamc@mjc.edu
WEBSITE: http://virtual.yosemite.cc.ca.us/chudelson
OFFICE HOURS: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Monday/Wednesday, or by appointment.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Geography is the study of humankind and the environment. Physical Geography examines how earth processes function as a means to evaluate human impact upon the earth. This course will provide the student with the ability to describe earth systems (such as weather, ecosystems and plate tectonics), identify interrelationships between these systems, assess the effect of current global problems upon the earth's survival, and propose solutions to such problems
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY:
I am passionate about my job and my discipline. I believe that ALL students can become outstanding college students if they apply themselves. I value what YOU think, and will provide you with strategies that you can utilize throughout your education. I try to maintain high academic standards that you will find at the university level so that you will be successful when you transfer. MJC is an institution which can create opportunities beyond your dreams! Ask me or read
my biography on my website!
REQUIRED TEXTS:
· Robert Christopherson, Geosystems (Animated), 7th edition, 2009.
· Goodes World Atlas, 22nd edition.
· Annual Editions, Geography, 23rd edition, 2010.
CLASS POLICIES:
* It is the student's responsibility to drop this course. Last day to drop: November 17
* The Instructor will drop any
students who have not completed class work by 1st essay exam.
* All reading assignments should be completed prior to class. This will
help you identify my
focus.
* Make-up exams must be discussed with instructor prior to the scheduled date
of exam. No
assignments may be turned in late.
* Attendance will be taken daily.
Students will be allowed to miss 4 classes (two weeks)
without penalty. The following absences will result in points deducted from
the student’s total
course points;
5-6 absences---lose 20 points
7-8 absences—lose 40 points
Appropriate academic
behavior is expected in class. Including;
* come to class ready to learn; energetic and interested!!
* No cell phones in class (change to vibrate mode and put away)
* do not come to class more than 10 minutes late (instead talk to the instructor
after class)
* let instructor know if you need to leave early (give time and reason)
* do not sit by friends and talk during lecture
* be courteous to others!
GRADING POLICY:
Students must complete 6 mapping assignments, and three essays. As noted below,
the final is one third of the course grade. Students who improve on the final
exam will receive the improved grade for the course (given good attendance). For
example, if a student earns B grades on the first two exams, and obtains an A on
the final, he/she will receive an A for the course! If a student performs poorly
on the final, the course grade will be based on the total points earned in the
course. Students must complete ALL quizzes and exams to enjoy this opportunity
for growth. Students who do not complete all quizzes and exams will earn a
course grade based upon the total points obtained during the course.
1st essay ----- 100 pts A = 100-90%
2nd essay ---- 100 pts B = 89-80%
mapping --------150 pts C = 79-70%
final exam----- 200 pts D = 69-60%
------------------------------- F = 59% and below
TOTAL = 520 pts
EXAMS:
You will complete three essay exams for the course. Each essay will ask you to define key concepts addressed in the reading, describe processes and theories central to the topic, and utilize graphs and maps in the text and atlas to demonstrate where each process is located. Geography studies global patterns to explain earth relationships. An example of this is the correlation between solar radiation receipt and temperature. Use the statistics and countries on the maps to demonstrate these ideas, and where they occur.
I will post essay questions on my website. Exams should be 2-3 pages in length, hand-written, and the final essay should be a 4-6 pages in length. If you have problems reaching this length, ask these questions;
* did you define all key concepts and processes in your own words?
* did you include specific examples from the text, lectures, annuals or
weblinks
and explain how they relate to geographical concepts and processes?
* did you include description of maps which illustrate where these
processes occur
or why they are there?
* did you include your evaluation of these materials as they address
geographical
concepts? do you agree with authors? yes or no? Why or why not?
* did you relate geographical concepts and theories to current events happening
in California, the United States, or global situations?
* did you refer to Annuals articles or class videos which address this issue?
MAPPING ASSIGNMENTS:
You will complete 6 mapping assignments for the course, approximately one every two weeks. Questions on each assignment will require you to pull information from class maps and explain the cause for the global distribution of specific processes (solar radiation, pressure, precipitation, soils, volcanism, and fluvial activity).
GEOGRAPHY CRITIQUE:
The following items are the criteria I use to grade your exams.
If you have any questions, please ask!
1. Did I answer the question, all of the question, and all that was implied by the question?
2. Did I present a solid thesis, logical progression of ideas and an appropriate conclusion?
3. Did I allocate my time appropriately, developing all parts of my exam in balance?
4. Did I define key concepts, explain how processes occurs, and refer to maps
that illustrate where
these processes occur globally?
5. Did I use the most appropriate examples to validate my ideas and describe
geographical
patterns?
6. Did I include specific examples from all of the appropriate reading
materials? theories, maps,
locational (country) examples? Annuals articles?
7. Did I include the most significant and appropriate ideas from the class lecture?
8. Did I include my own, original ideas?
9. Are there any factual inaccuracies in my essay?
10. Could or should my essay be used to teach others?
PLAGIARISM:
* Plagiarism is not permitted! On the 1st offense, the student will
receive an F on the exam. If a
student plagiarizes on the final exam, he/she will receive an F in the
course.
Plagiarism is defined in the MJC Academic Honor Code as;
"1. Incorporating the ideas words, sentences, paragraphs, or parts of another
person's writings, without giving appropriate credit, and representing the
product as your own work
2. Representing another's artistic/scholarly works as your own
3. Submitting a paper purchased from a research or term paper service."
It's easy to avoid plagiarism--just trust what YOU are learning. Tell me what you have learned in your own words. I create my own questions to get you think about the key concepts, examples and theories in each section. Explain key terms as you understand them, and use maps to validate your ideas and show connections. And, ask me for help!
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students successfully completing Geog 101 will;