GEOG A180H: Physical Geography Honors
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Curriculum Committee Approval Date | 12/09/2020 |
| Top Code | 220600 - Geography |
| Units | 3 Total Units |
| Hours | 54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54) |
| Total Outside of Class Hours | 0 |
| Course Credit Status | Credit: Degree Applicable (D) |
| Material Fee | No |
| Basic Skills | Not Basic Skills (N) |
| Repeatable | No |
| Grading Policy | Standard Letter (S) |
| Associate Arts Local General Education (GE) |
|
| Associate Science Local General Education (GE) |
|
| California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) |
|
| Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) |
|
| California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth) |
|
Course Description
A study of the basic physical elements of geography and their integrated patterns of world distribution. Particular emphasis is given to climate, land forms, soils, and natural vegetation. Enrollment Limitation: GEOG A180; students who complete GEOG A180H may not enroll in or receive credit for GEOG A180. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC. C-ID: GEOG 110.C-ID: GEOG 110.
Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)
- Student will identify, analyze and interpret spatial information for the earth’s physical features.
- Students will understand the spatial distributions, processe, and controls of the earth’s physical features from the global to local scale.
Course Objectives
- 1. Compare and contrast the different theoretical approaches to Geography.
- 2. Describe the various maps in Cartography, and explain their origin.
- 3. Identify the significant dates in the Earths seasonal patterns.
- 4. Explain Koppens climate system.
- 5. Explain the components of the Earths complex wind system.
- 6. Explain what is meant by the “geological timetable.”
- 7. Identify the various rocks that are found on earth.
- 8. Explain the mountain-building process.
- 9. Compare and contrast significant volcanoes with earthquake faults.
- 10. Explain the origins of artesian water.
- 11. Identify the major deserts of the world.
- 12. Explain the evolution of coastlines, rivers, and islands.
- 13. Identify and explain significant geological and geomorphological features of glaciation.
- 14. Analyze the impact of glaciation on California, the U.S., and the world.
- 15. Explain the effects of ocean currents on climates around the world.
Lecture Content
Mapping and geography in general Defining Geography Famous Geographers Jobs in Geography Map making Latitude and Longitude Special maps Map symbols (U.S.G.S.) Maps Township and Range system Seasons Revolution, rotation, precession, speed Latitude and longitude Time and time zones Equinox, solstice, periheon, aphelion, and dates Weather Atmosphere, troposphere, tropopause, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, exosphere Ionization and the aurora borealis Insolation - radiation, conduction and convection Isotherms, isobars Barometers, mercury and aneroid Atmospheric pressure; Ferrels Law Vaporization, condensation, and cloud types Types of atmospheric wind disturbances Koppen climate system Weather addendum Weather Records: hottest, wettest, cold places Reading weather symbols on synoptic charts Geology I Geologic timetable: Eras, Periods, Epochs Petrology, mineralogy, geology Lithosphere, crust, mantle, core Rocks: composition and formation Coal, bituminous and anthracite Erosive forces: water, wind, ice Folds, faults, and fault features Types of mountains Famous volcanoes: their unique features Plate tectonics and continental drift: (Examples: East African Rift Valley, Yellowstone, Hawaii) Seismology, tidal wave, tsunami, Lituya Bay Shields: Australia, Canada, South Africa Geology II Rivers and flood plains Deltas around the world Areas with ground water vs. arid landscapes: their vegetation characteristics Coastal charac teristics Islands: continental, volcanic, coral, fringing reef, barrier reef, atoll Specific caves around the world Great soil belts and prairies; their vegetation Glaciation and Ocean Currents Pleistocene, Permian, and Pre-Cambrian glaciation Greenland and Antarctica California Glaciation Theories: Solar, C02, volcanic, ocean current (Ewing-Donn), Astronomical (Milankovitch) Glacial features Ice features Depositional features Glacial Lakes Glacial Periods Ocean currents West wind drift
Method(s) of Instruction
- Lecture (02)
- DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
- DE Online Lecture (02X)
Instructional Techniques
1. Lecture and explanation of topic concepts. 2. Instructor will provide handouts. 3. During lecture overhead projector will be used. 4. Instructor will diagram geographical material on chalkboard. 5. Instructor will answer student questions during lecture. 6. Instructor will discuss concepts with students during in-class projects, i.e. studying maps, creating a time wheel.
Reading Assignments
Students in honors class will complete supplemental reading in addition to the course textbook that will be available through the LMS.
Writing Assignments
Students will write papers analyzing factors in physical geography. Analyze the total impact of the Township and Range System. Compare and contrast the extreme weather records found worldwide and analyze their impact on mankind.
Out-of-class Assignments
Students will complete research for their final project using library resources.
Demonstration of Critical Thinking
Students will use library materials to complete their writing assignments. Objective examinations covering text and lecture material. Short written answers with objective exams.
Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration
1. Students will write papers analyzing factors in physical geography. a. Analyze the total impact of the Township and Range System. b. Compare and contrast the extreme weather records found worldwide and analyze their impact on mankind.
Eligible Disciplines
Geography: Masters degree in geography OR bachelors degree in geography AND masters degree in geology, history, meteorology, or oceanography OR the equivalent OR see interdisciplinary studies. Masters degree required.
Textbooks Resources
1. Required Christopherson, RW. Geosystems, 9 ed. Upper Saddle River: Pearson, 2014 2. Required Gabler, R.E., et.al. Essentials of Physical Geography, ed. Florence: Cengage, 2009 Rationale: . 3. Required McKnight, T.L. . Physical Geography, A Landscape Appreciation, ed. Upper Saddle River: Pearson, 2008
Other Resources
1. Current Atlas such as Goodes, Rand McNally, Nystrom or Hammonds