GEOGRAPHY 100: Physical Geography
University of Idaho
Fall 2014
Online
Instructor: Aparna Kumari
[email protected]
Course Description
If you've ever owned or used a globe, you know that it is meant to represent the Earth in as accurate a format as possible. But one thing globes cannot represent about the Earth is how dynamic it is: it is always changing. A globe is merely a static snapshot of the Earth at one point in time and from the perspective of whoever created the globe.
Physical geography is the interdisciplinary study of the physical properties of processes that shape the dynamic Earth. Whether we know it or not, we regularly experience and make decisions in our lives based on the fundamentals of physical geography. What to wear each day. When and where to hold parties and weddings. Where to go on vacation and when. Where to live and raise our families. All of these are directly influenced by physical geography.
This course will provide you with the scientific basis to understand the why’s and how’s of the natural environment, from day-to-day observations to some of the major environmental issues facing mankind in the coming century. This course will prompt you to begin asking questions about your surroundings, to make observations, and put those observations into context according to the scientific method to answer your questions. The study of physical geography cannot be undertaken solely in the classroom, and you will be asked to begin paying attention to your environment outside of the classroom as well.
Physical geography is a diverse subject that involves a sequence of interconnected topics on Earth system processes and their changes over time. These topics are presented in this course as eight modules. While this is a science class, throughout the semester we will tie Earth system processes to both long-term and short-term change and how it affects humans, our infrastructure, and the things we value. We would not study physical geography if it did not affect us and if humans were not part of the Earth system.
We will conclude the course with a section devoted to further investigating the science behind a set of critical issues and challenges that our planet faces in the 21st century. Geography 100 will provide you with the scientific background to make your own informed thoughts and decisions on these issues.
Course Goals and Student Learning Objectives The primary goal of this course is for students to have a newfound appreciation for the complexity of the physical Earth system, and a more scientifically-based view of critical issues facing our planet. Upon successful completion of Geography 100, students should be able to contextualize key processes of the natural environment into daily observations and the broader context of decision-making. More broadly, students should be able to approach new information from the perspective of the scientific method in order to gather information, apply critical thinking skills, and come to independent conclusions based on observations.
Reading and Textbook Required
McKnight's Physical Geography 11th edition, Hess, 2013 with Mastering Geography access code (the Mastering Geography access code is ONLY available either at the UI bookstore or online when you log into BBLearn for this course. You cannot purchase it anywhere else; if you buy your textbook through any online resellers, you MUST purchase the Mastering Geography access code through BBLearn).
Course Web Page (BBLearn)
Most of the materials for this class will be disseminated through the course website at http://bblearn.uidaho.edu. All students that are registered for Geography 100 will have access to this website.
Assessment (1,000 points total)
Exams 60% (600 points)
Quizzes 20% (200 points)
Activities 20% (200 points)
Exams (75 points each): There will be eight exams, one for each module. There will be NO MAKE-UP EXAMS ALLOWED. Exams will be composed of a combination of multiple choice and short answer questions. Exam questions will come from a larger pool of questions and randomized from student to student to discourage cheating.
Quizzes (25 points each): Each module begins with a “pre-module quiz” that will examine your ability to comprehend material from the reading. You can only take the quiz for a score once, but you are allowed to take as much time as needed, and the quiz is open book. Additionally, there are “hints” within the quiz to help you answer the questions.
Activities (variable points): Each module has several activities within it. Some of these activities are designated ‘Assignments’ that must be completed on BBLearn for a recorded score. Some of these activities are not scored, but are meant to help you understand the material, and may be reflected in Exam questions.
All required course work should be completed individually unless it is indicated otherwise.
Makeup Policy: As per the policy on exams, there is a strict no makeup rule for exams or quizzes. Technical difficulties are not acceptable excuses for missing exams, excuses would only be given to rare circumstances when the school network or wide spread regional network is down for a prolonged period. If you encounter technical difficulties in taking an exam, please contact me directly. If you experience a prolonged absence from school due to illness or family situation, you may contact me to discuss your situation; I reserve the right to deny all requests for extensions or withdrawals from the course.
Extra Credit Opportunities: None offered for this course.
About the lab for this course (GEOG 100L)
Do you need to take the lab? It is not officially a co-requisite for this course, however, if you are in GEOG 100 to fulfill your core science requirements, you should be aware that the UI core science requirement can only be fulfilled in two ways:
a) Two eligible natural science courses PLUS the associated labs (i.e., two 4 credit combinations, for a total of 8 credits) OR
b) One eligible course and its lab (4 credits) + one of the new CORE 200 Integrated Science courses (3 credits) (Note: total of 7 credits for option b).
This means that if you are in this course to fulfill core science requirements, as with any science class other than the CORE 200 series, you’ll need to take the lab to fulfill the requirement.
Module Schedule
The schedule of modules is on this website HERE. I will expect you to have read the appropriate chapters in the textbook as identified in the modules on this website. The objective of the website is to supplement what you read in the textbook, not replace it. Updated Schedule will be posted on course webpage with at least 7 days lead-time.
Logistics of the Online Course
University Policy
Disability Support Services Reasonable Accommodations Statement:
Reasonable accommodations are available for students who have a documented disability. Please notify the instructor during the first week of class of any accommodation(s) needed for the course. Late notification may mean that requested accommodations might not be available. All accommodations must be approved through Disability Support Services located in the Idaho Commons Building, Room 333. See http://www.students.uidaho.edu/taap for additional detail.
Academic Integrity: Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at the University of Idaho, and the University’s Academic Integrity Policy requires you to be honest in all your academic course work. Writing assignments in this course are designed to assess your knowledge of course topics and your ability to express it in written form, meaning that while you may work together on homework and classwork assignments, the work you hand in must be written in your own words. In addition, while tempting, plagiarism, particularly of the internet variety (i.e., cutting and pasting with your pal Google), is certainly not acceptable. UI is a learning institution with the goal to develop freethinking students who can analyze new concepts and develop their own ideas and opinions. In order to discourage plagiarism, the course will adopt a zero tolerance approach. This means that if you are caught plagiarizing or cheating, you will receive absolutely no credit for that work and possibly a failing grade for the course. Furthermore, you will be formally reported to the Dean of Students for appropriate disciplinary action. The University of Idaho's policy on cheating is described in Article II--Academic Honesty of the http://www.webs.uidaho.edu/fsh/2300.html.
University of Idaho
Fall 2014
Online
Instructor: Aparna Kumari
[email protected]
Course Description
If you've ever owned or used a globe, you know that it is meant to represent the Earth in as accurate a format as possible. But one thing globes cannot represent about the Earth is how dynamic it is: it is always changing. A globe is merely a static snapshot of the Earth at one point in time and from the perspective of whoever created the globe.
Physical geography is the interdisciplinary study of the physical properties of processes that shape the dynamic Earth. Whether we know it or not, we regularly experience and make decisions in our lives based on the fundamentals of physical geography. What to wear each day. When and where to hold parties and weddings. Where to go on vacation and when. Where to live and raise our families. All of these are directly influenced by physical geography.
This course will provide you with the scientific basis to understand the why’s and how’s of the natural environment, from day-to-day observations to some of the major environmental issues facing mankind in the coming century. This course will prompt you to begin asking questions about your surroundings, to make observations, and put those observations into context according to the scientific method to answer your questions. The study of physical geography cannot be undertaken solely in the classroom, and you will be asked to begin paying attention to your environment outside of the classroom as well.
Physical geography is a diverse subject that involves a sequence of interconnected topics on Earth system processes and their changes over time. These topics are presented in this course as eight modules. While this is a science class, throughout the semester we will tie Earth system processes to both long-term and short-term change and how it affects humans, our infrastructure, and the things we value. We would not study physical geography if it did not affect us and if humans were not part of the Earth system.
We will conclude the course with a section devoted to further investigating the science behind a set of critical issues and challenges that our planet faces in the 21st century. Geography 100 will provide you with the scientific background to make your own informed thoughts and decisions on these issues.
Course Goals and Student Learning Objectives The primary goal of this course is for students to have a newfound appreciation for the complexity of the physical Earth system, and a more scientifically-based view of critical issues facing our planet. Upon successful completion of Geography 100, students should be able to contextualize key processes of the natural environment into daily observations and the broader context of decision-making. More broadly, students should be able to approach new information from the perspective of the scientific method in order to gather information, apply critical thinking skills, and come to independent conclusions based on observations.
Reading and Textbook Required
McKnight's Physical Geography 11th edition, Hess, 2013 with Mastering Geography access code (the Mastering Geography access code is ONLY available either at the UI bookstore or online when you log into BBLearn for this course. You cannot purchase it anywhere else; if you buy your textbook through any online resellers, you MUST purchase the Mastering Geography access code through BBLearn).
Course Web Page (BBLearn)
Most of the materials for this class will be disseminated through the course website at http://bblearn.uidaho.edu. All students that are registered for Geography 100 will have access to this website.
Assessment (1,000 points total)
Exams 60% (600 points)
Quizzes 20% (200 points)
Activities 20% (200 points)
Exams (75 points each): There will be eight exams, one for each module. There will be NO MAKE-UP EXAMS ALLOWED. Exams will be composed of a combination of multiple choice and short answer questions. Exam questions will come from a larger pool of questions and randomized from student to student to discourage cheating.
Quizzes (25 points each): Each module begins with a “pre-module quiz” that will examine your ability to comprehend material from the reading. You can only take the quiz for a score once, but you are allowed to take as much time as needed, and the quiz is open book. Additionally, there are “hints” within the quiz to help you answer the questions.
Activities (variable points): Each module has several activities within it. Some of these activities are designated ‘Assignments’ that must be completed on BBLearn for a recorded score. Some of these activities are not scored, but are meant to help you understand the material, and may be reflected in Exam questions.
All required course work should be completed individually unless it is indicated otherwise.
Makeup Policy: As per the policy on exams, there is a strict no makeup rule for exams or quizzes. Technical difficulties are not acceptable excuses for missing exams, excuses would only be given to rare circumstances when the school network or wide spread regional network is down for a prolonged period. If you encounter technical difficulties in taking an exam, please contact me directly. If you experience a prolonged absence from school due to illness or family situation, you may contact me to discuss your situation; I reserve the right to deny all requests for extensions or withdrawals from the course.
Extra Credit Opportunities: None offered for this course.
About the lab for this course (GEOG 100L)
Do you need to take the lab? It is not officially a co-requisite for this course, however, if you are in GEOG 100 to fulfill your core science requirements, you should be aware that the UI core science requirement can only be fulfilled in two ways:
a) Two eligible natural science courses PLUS the associated labs (i.e., two 4 credit combinations, for a total of 8 credits) OR
b) One eligible course and its lab (4 credits) + one of the new CORE 200 Integrated Science courses (3 credits) (Note: total of 7 credits for option b).
This means that if you are in this course to fulfill core science requirements, as with any science class other than the CORE 200 series, you’ll need to take the lab to fulfill the requirement.
- Lab sections are taught by graduate TAs and are set up as entirely separate 1-credit courses. Grades are earned and assigned by the TAs, separately from the lecture course. Do not contact me with questions about the lab, and do not ask your lab TA questions about this online course.
Module Schedule
The schedule of modules is on this website HERE. I will expect you to have read the appropriate chapters in the textbook as identified in the modules on this website. The objective of the website is to supplement what you read in the textbook, not replace it. Updated Schedule will be posted on course webpage with at least 7 days lead-time.
Logistics of the Online Course
- This is a complete online class offered through the campus BBLearn environment, it is a self-guided course that you will complete on your own time. However, the class will be paced, with one module assigned every two weeks. I will not respond to questions about course content that are not in synch with the current module.
- Each module should take between 12-20 hours accounting for time allocated to readings, online content, quizzes and the exam. You should plan the time you will be work on this course into your weekly schedule. Without marked time for an online class, you will not be able to complete the class. Although an online course offers you scheduling flexibility, it may be unwise to start a module the night before it is due.
- You are responsible for reading announcements and checking into different areas of the online classroom to make sure that you receive instructions and updated information. It is also your responsibility to check the grades you receive are correct and report inconsistencies to me within a week of receiving any contested grade.
- Is an online course best for me? Please consider the following factors:
- Commitment: An online class is not easier than a face-to-face one. You need to have the commitment and patience to overcome technical and other problems that often accompanying an online class.
- Time management: An online class gives you the flexibility of managing your time but may not save you time. You need to dedicate at least 6 to 10 hours each week for this course and check into the online classroom at least twice a week, sometimes, more often.
- Study Skills: You need to develop efficient study skills to master the required course material. The learning activities I design for you would only work for you when you adopt and adjust them to fit your learning style, which may require you develop your learning skills to achieve that.
- Technical skills: You will need certain degree of technical proficiency and access to required technology to be successful in an online course. The technical guide section of the syllabus provides you with resources that will help you to solve certain technical problems. It is your responsibility to seek help and to solve problems in a timely manner.
- Communication is very important in an online class since you don’t have the ability to ask the instructor questions in an active setting. Let me know when you have questions, concerns, or suggestions; however, please understand that it may take more than 48 hours for me to respond your questions. I recommend that before you ask me a question via email you first check the discussion board on BBLearn to see if that question has already been answered.
- Discussion board. I encourage you to use the discussion board built into BBLearn. This will be the primary forum through which we communicate as a group. I will respond to posts on the discussion board at least twice a week. Understand that if you post something on the discussion board, the whole class will see it. Please distinguish messages intended for public or private and use appropriate means to deliver them. Only postings that contribute to (or seek) clarification and enhance the course contents should be posted on the discussion boards. Again, please use languages that are appropriate for an academic environment at all times when you post messages on the discussion board or e-mail classmates or instructors.
- Technical help with BBLearn can be obtained through one of the following means:
- Online support: http://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/bblearnhelp/student-help/
- Discussion board: Many of your colleagues have experienced similar problems and have solutions
- Email the instructor
- University of Idaho ITS help desk [email protected]
University Policy
Disability Support Services Reasonable Accommodations Statement:
Reasonable accommodations are available for students who have a documented disability. Please notify the instructor during the first week of class of any accommodation(s) needed for the course. Late notification may mean that requested accommodations might not be available. All accommodations must be approved through Disability Support Services located in the Idaho Commons Building, Room 333. See http://www.students.uidaho.edu/taap for additional detail.
Academic Integrity: Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at the University of Idaho, and the University’s Academic Integrity Policy requires you to be honest in all your academic course work. Writing assignments in this course are designed to assess your knowledge of course topics and your ability to express it in written form, meaning that while you may work together on homework and classwork assignments, the work you hand in must be written in your own words. In addition, while tempting, plagiarism, particularly of the internet variety (i.e., cutting and pasting with your pal Google), is certainly not acceptable. UI is a learning institution with the goal to develop freethinking students who can analyze new concepts and develop their own ideas and opinions. In order to discourage plagiarism, the course will adopt a zero tolerance approach. This means that if you are caught plagiarizing or cheating, you will receive absolutely no credit for that work and possibly a failing grade for the course. Furthermore, you will be formally reported to the Dean of Students for appropriate disciplinary action. The University of Idaho's policy on cheating is described in Article II--Academic Honesty of the http://www.webs.uidaho.edu/fsh/2300.html.