2-3:15 p.m. MW: Hawkins 141 Dr.

Jennifer Mapes Office: 215 Ward Hall Office Hours: Friday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. or by appointment Email: jennifer.mapes@plattsburgh.edu Phone: x2710

GEG 120: Physical Geography

Physical geography is an introduction to basic science principles in the fields of geology, hydrology, and atmospheric sciences. This is an integrative course that examines how these scientific fields are woven together, and describes how together these principles can be seen on the Earths surface. Geography as a discipline includes both human and physical elements, recognizing that we understand the physical environment through a social lens. Therefore throughout this course we will examine the relationship between earth sciences and human activities. There are three parts to this class, centered on three required texts. John McPhee describes attempts by humans to control three different geologic processes (they often fail). In Water: The fate of our most precious resource, South African Mark De Villiers travels around the world to investigate hydrologic processes and explore how humans are reworking these systems. The third focus of this course considers how humans affect atmospheric processes, causing climate change, and how scientists measure these changes across the globe.

Course objectives
Explain the role of plate tectonics in landscape formation and natural hazards. Describe how natural processes can result in natural disasters and how humans work to mitigate the effects of these hazards. Describe and explain the hydrologic cycle and how it is connected to the distribution of water across the Earth. Understand the use of water as a resource and how human behavior affects and is affected by its availability. Explain key atmospheric processes and how they influence global climates and weather. Understand and describe the science that explains global warming trends and causes.

Required texts
Control of Nature, J. McPhee, 1990 Water: The Fate of Our Most Precious Resource, M. De Villiers, 2001 Climate Change: Picturing the Science, G. Schmidt and J. Wolfe, 2009 In addition, you may want a reference on the basics of physical geography (sometimes referred to as geosystems). Essentials of Physical Geography is on reserve in Feinberg Library, or you may purchase (suggested: McKnight & Hess or Strahler & Strahler) a used textbook for around $4 online. 1

Course schedule
Jan. 31 Feb. 2 Feb. 7 Feb. 9 Feb. 14 Feb. 16 Feb. 21 Introduction Describing the Earth Plate tectonics McPhee, Cooling the Lava (pgs 95-138) Tectonic hazards McPhee, Cooling the Lava (pgs 138-179) Soil & the mountains McPhee, Los Angeles Against the Mountains (pgs 183-228) Fighting debris flows McPhee, Los Angeles Against the Mountains (pgs 229- 272) Rivers & streams McPhee, Atchafalya (pronounced atch-af-a-LIE-a) (pgs 3-48) Assignment 1 distributed Controlling the Mississippi McPhee, Atchafalya (pgs 49-89) Water resources DeVilliers, Ch. 2 Water in the American West DeVilliers, Ch. 8 Pollution DeVilliers, Ch. 5 Assignment 1 due Dams DeVilliers, Ch. 7 SPRING BREAK NO CLASS Review MIDTERM EXAM 2 Mar. 28

Feb. 23 Feb. 28 Mar. 2 Mar. 7

Mar. 9 Mar. 14 & 16 Mar. 21 Mar. 23

Mar. 28 Mar. 30 Apr. 4 Apr. 6 Apr. 11 & 13 Apr. 18

Energy & temperature Schmidt & Wolfe, Ch. 6 Preciptiation & atmospheric processes Climate types Schmidt & Wolfe, Ch. 7, Assignment 2 distributed Climate change Schmidt & Wolfe, Ch. 8 CLASS CANCELED DUE TO ACADEMIC CONFERENCE WORK ON ASSIGNMENT 2 Ice, glaciers, and the poles Schmidt & Wolfe, Ch. 2 Assignment 2 due Oceans Schmidt & Wolfe, Ch. 3 Weather Schmidt & Wolfe, Ch. 4 Perfect disaster Assignment 3 distributed Hurricane Katrina Biosphere Schmidt & Wolfe, Ch. 5 Adapting to climate change Schmidt & Wolfe, Ch. 9 Review Assignment 3 due EXAM 3

Apr. 20 Apr. 25 Apr. 27 May 2 May 4 May 9 May 11 TBA

Course assessment
Monday quizzes (9 percent) These weekly quizzes will measure attendance by asking a question about Wednesdays class material. I will give 10 quizzes, of which I will count the highest 8 grades. No make-ups, including if you are late to class. Exams (2 x 20 percent = 40 percent) Exams will include multiple choice (50%), short answer questions (30%) and a diagram (20%). The final exam will not be comprehensive. Assignments (3x 12 percent =36 percent) Due dates: Mar. 7, Apr. 18, May 11 Assignments will be distributed in class (and then posted online) at least a week before they are due. There will be time in class to start the assignment and ask questions. Subsequent questions about the content of the assignments must be asked in person, not via email. You may work with a partner on the assignment, but the final write-up must be your own original work. Identical answers will be considered plagiarism. Late assignments will be reduced by one letter grade per day late. If you are late to class on the due date, your paper is late, too. If you expect to be late you may submit a hard copy of the paper to me in person at my office or in my office mailbox (Center for Earth and Environmental Science: 2nd floor of Ward Hall). Questions & answers (15 percent) This is a group project. The group list and presentation date is posted on Angel. Trading dates or groups is fine, but it must be based on mutual agreement and I must be notified via email with a cc to all those involved. For the assigned date, you must post to the pre-arranged Angel discussion board a list of five questions for discussion and a link to an article of interest on the topic at least 48 hours in advance of class. If you post late, your grade will be reduced by one letter. If you do not post within 24 hours, I will post questions myself and your entire group will receive a zero for the assignment. Your post to Angel will be named by the date it will be discussed and topic. It will include five questions to discuss about the readings assigned for that date. On the date of the discussion, you will attend class and lead a 15-20 minute discussion on the five questions you provided your classmates. You will also submit a write-up of your groups own answers to the questions and a discussion of how your link is relevant signed by all group members next to their printed names at the top of the paper to indicate participation in the write-up. Your submission should be at least five pages. If you have problems with participation from your group members, email me with details of your work efforts. If you do not participate with your group, your grade will be reduced accordingly. I will not serve as mediator between group members. If you cannot reach your group, prepare your own presentation and submission. Your letter grade for these assignments will be based on whether you follow the above instructions, the appropriateness of the questions and answers for discussion, and the usefulness and discussion of the link provided. 4

College Honor Code

It is expected that all students enrolled in this class support the letter and the spirit of the Academic Honesty Policy as stated in the College Catalog. This is your first and only warning against plagiarism.

Electronic communication policy

My emails I will post non-pressing announcements on Angel and discuss them in class. Any timesensitive announcements will be sent to your school address. If you are having trouble accessing your school address, please let me know. Otherwise, I will expect you to receive my message during regular business hours. Similarly, I will check my email during business hours (M-F 8 am to 5 pm), but rarely check , my school email nights and weekends. Please do not expect an immediate response. If I have not responded to your email within 48 hours, a polite reminder email is fine. Your emails Please send emails from your school address. Yahoo, hotmail, and gmail accounts may not be recognizable as student emails and may be ignored. Follow proper email etiquette. This includes an informative subject line, a salutation (Dear Professor Mapes, or Dear Dr. Mapes, or just Professor Mapes,), your full name, and what class you are in. I do not answer questions that are answered on the syllabus (such as, What did I miss? or What are your office hours? or Where is your office?). Please check there first! Angel Announcements may be posted to Angel, but will also be made in class. If you miss class, check Angels announcements and the class Powerpoint for that day. All content will be available through the Lessons section, including class Powerpoints (in PDF form). Powerpoints are posted on Friday.