GEOG C180: Physical Geography
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| 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),
|
| 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
This course is a spatial study of the Earth's dynamic physical systems and processes. Topics include Earth-sun geometry, weather, climate, water, landforms, soil, and the biosphere. Emphasis is on the interrelationships among environmental and human systems and processes and their resulting patterns and distributions. Tools of geographic inquiry are also briefly covered; they may include maps, remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Global Positioning Systems (GPS). Transfer Credit: CSU; UC. C-ID: GEOG 110.C-ID: GEOG 110.
Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)
- Utilize basic scientific concepts and tools to measure and describe the varying physical features of the earth.
- Analyze how the earth's atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere interact to form varying environments that serve as hosts for human societies.
- Evaluate the impact of human actions upon the mobile equilibrium between the spheres, including the potential environmental damage.
Course Objectives
- 1. Analyze and understand the size, shape, and movements of the Earth in space and their importance to environmental patterns and processes.
- 2. Analyze and understand the atmospheric, geomorphological, and biotic processes that shape the Earths surface environments.
- 3. Analyze and understand the global distribution of the worlds major climates, ecosystems, and physiographic features.
- 4. Analyze and understand basic concepts of physical geography in the analysis of real-world variations in environmental patterns.
- 5. Analyze and understand the scientific method and practical experience using the tools and concepts of physical geography.
Lecture Content
The size, shape, and movements of the Earth in space and their importance to environmental patterns and processes; The atmospheric, geomorphological, and biotic processes that shape the Earths surface environments; The global distribution of the worlds major climates, ecosystems, physiographic features; The basic tools of geographic inquiry; and Basic concepts of physical geography in the analysis of real-world variations in environmental patterns.
Method(s) of Instruction
- Lecture (02)
- DE Online Lecture (02X)
Instructional Techniques
A variety of instructional techniques will be employed to encompass different learning styles. These may include but are not limited to, lecture, discussions, and small group activities. Instruction will be supplemented, where appropriate, by PowerPoint presentations, electronic resources and technologies, guest speakers, and field trips.
Reading Assignments
Read each pertinent chapter in the course textbook.
Writing Assignments
Research, write, and submit a research paper.
Out-of-class Assignments
Research, write, and submit a research paper.
Demonstration of Critical Thinking
Research and write a research paper.
Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration
Research and write a research paper.
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 Arbogast, Alan; et al. Discovering Physical Geography, 4th ed. Wiley, 2017 Rationale: - 2. Required Christopherson, Robert; Birkeland, Ginger. Geosystems: An Introduction to Physical Geography, 10th ed. Pearson, 2017 3. Required Petersen, James; et al. Physical Geography, 11th ed. Brooks Cole, 2016 Rationale: - Legacy Textbook Transfer Data: Legacy text 4. Required Petersen, James; et al. Fundamentals of Physical Geography, 2nd ed. Cengage Learning, 2016 Rationale: - Legacy Textbook Transfer Data: Legacy text 5. Required McKnight, Tom; Hess, Darrel. Physical Geography: A Landscape Appreciation, 12th ed. Wiley, 2016 Rationale: - Legacy Textbook Transfer Data: Legacy text 6. Required Strahler, Alan. Introducing Physical Geography, 6th ed. Wiley, 2018 Rationale: Very comprehensive tetbook on the subject.
Other Resources
1. Coastline Library