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Geography 121, Physical Geography (3 credit hours)

Meeting Place & Time: May 219, 10:00-11:15 a.m. TR, Spring 2004
Instructor: Gary Cummisk, Ph.D.
Office 412 Stickney, Phone (701) 483-2410, E-Mail: Gary.Cummisk@dsu.nodak.edu
office hours M, W 10:00-12:00 p.m.

Course Description: Physical Geography examines atmospheric energy, weather & climate, ocean circulation and global water balance, geomorphology, and biogeography.   The course provides a fundamental framework for understanding geosystems.  It bridges science and social science in that it explores the role of human agency in interacting with these fundamental processes.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Institutional Student Learning Outcomes:

1.        Critical Thinking Skills: Students will demonstrate critical thinking in a variety of contexts for life long learning.
2.        Communication and Technology Skills: Students will communicate verbally, in written format, and through the utilization of technology and map interpretation.
3.        Multicultural and Global Experience: The course is inherently multicultural in that it explores global cultures and their responses to environmental conditions existing throughout the planet.
4.        Aesthetic Experience:  Interpretation of aesthetic elements in landscape and culture is central to the course.
5.        Discipline Based Knowledge:  The students will acquire a discipline-based vocabulary and a working knowledge of geographical techniques and methods.
6.        Health and Wellness Knowledge:  Issues relating to environmental health and interpretation of indices relating to health will be an element of the course.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

1.        Students will learn the fundamental place of, and the contributions of geography within the social science field and the relationship of the social to the natural sciences.
2.        Students will become aware of professional possibilities within the disciplines of geography

Course Student Learning Outcomes

1.        Students will acquire a fundamental understanding of the discipline of geography and related earth science fields.

Text: Elemental Geosystems, 4th edition, by Robert W. Christopherson

Course Content Outline (in addition to the syllabus, you will receive a specific course schedule with examination and assignment dates).  A general outline of the course follows:

Unit One: Foundations of Geography & The Energy-Atmosphere System
Chapter 1, Foundations of Geography
Chapter 2, Solar Energy, Seasons, and the Atmosphere
Chapter 3, Atmospheric Energy and Global Temperatures
Chapter 4, Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulation

Unit Two: Water, Weather, and Climate Systems

Chapter 5, Atmospheric Water and Weather
Chapter 6, Global Climate Systems
Chapter 7, Water Resources

Unit Three: Earth's Changing Landscape Systems (two exams)

Chapter 8, The Dynamic Planet
Chapter 9, Earthquakes and Volcanoes
Chapter 10, Weathering, Karst Landscapes, and Mass Movement
Chapter 11, River Systems and Landforms
Chapter 12, Wind Processes and Desert Landscapes
Chapter 13, The Oceans, Coastal Processes, and Landforms
Chapter 14, Glacial and Periglacial Landscapes

Unit Four: Biogeography Systems

Chapter 15, The Geography of Soils
Chapter 16, Ecosystems and Biomes
Chapter 17, Earth and the Human Denominator
 

Teaching Strategies

In addition to lecture-based learning, the class will engage in small and large group discussion, interpretation of educational video materials, PowerPoint, maps, remotely sensed data, and other forms of geographic information.

Assessment of Student Performance

Students who exhibit an excellent grasp of the material studied throughout the course through written assignments, examinations and classroom participation will earn the highest grades.  An above average grasp of the material exhibited in the assessment tools will earn a grade of B.  Average performance will earn a grade of C, and below average performance that exhibits rudimentary understanding will earn a D.  Students who perform below an acceptable level of performance will earn an F.  Examinations              

There will be a total of five examinations.  There will be no make-up examinations.  The four highest exam grades will count toward the final grade. Each exam will be valued at 100 points.  The final will cover the final unit only.  It will not be cumulative.  

Attendance Policy and Grading

Roll will be taken daily.  It is the stated policy of Dickinson State University is that students are expected to attend all scheduled classes (Dickinson State University: Academic Affairs Policies and Procedures 2002-2003, p. 56).  Only official written excuses from DSU coaches, administrators, physicians, police officers and officers of the court will be considered in granting excused absences for missed days.  Students, when possible, should inform the instructor of anticipated absences in advance.  Arrival to class after the instructor has called the roll will result in being counted late.  It is the student's responsibility to inform the instructor of their presence in class after the roll is called by providing the instructor with their name and time of arrival at the end of class (Failure to inform the instructor after class will result in being counted absent.  However, do not interrupt the instructor during lectures).  Two late markings with be counted as one absence.  If the student comes in excessively late, the student may be counted absent at the instructor's discretion.  The instructor will tolerate two absences throughout the term without penalty.  Each absence beyond that will result in the diminishment of the student's final grade by 2%.  (Thus, for example, three unexcused absences [from a student who misses 5 classes without excuse] will result in a 6% diminishment of the final grade.)

Rudeness and interruption of class will not be tolerated

Rudeness, such as carrying on conversations during lectures, disrespectful behaviors, and unreasonable interruption of class, will not be tolerated.  Students choosing to ignore warnings about such behavior will be asked to leave the classroom.  They will be counted absent from class and incur all penalties associated with unexcused absence.  Respect for all members of the classroom learning community is expected. 

Grading

Based on the above criteria, the grades will be computed as follows:

90-100%                 360-400                   A
80-89%                   320-359                   B
70-79%                   280-319                   C
60-69%                   240-279                   D
Under 59%              0-239                       F