Geography 1013 (GG 1013)

 INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY 1 (Earth Science)

Fall 2015, Distance Education

Professor:      Dr. Bruce Martin

Phone:               403-381-8122

E-mail:            bruce@rossway.net

Office Hours: Email (anytime) or phone (1 a.m. Atlantic Time [10 p.m. Mountain Time] )

Website:         http://www.rossway.net/crandall1013.htm

Prerequisite: None

Course Description:

This course is an introduction to geomorphology, the scientific study of landscape. In the course, students will be introduced to earth materials, the nature and formation of major landform features on the earth's surface, and the processes that continue to shape the physical landscape.

This course will provide students with a basic foundation for further courses in physical geography. The course will also be very beneficial for students interested in fields that deal with human/environment interaction (education, social sciences, history, anthropology or architecture) and other disciplines that consider the natural environment (such as biology, agriculture, ecology, environmental studies, or engineering).  This will also be a very helpful course for students interested in overseas experiences or missions.

Course Objectives:

At the successful completion of this course the student should have:

1)       A basic understanding of the physical processes and dynamics that have shaped, and continue to influence, the landscape;

2)       An awareness of basic techniques and skills used in physical geography;

3)       An enhanced appreciation of the complex interaction of processes and systems active in the natural environment;

4)       An introduction to the disciplines of earth & atmospheric sciences and their relevance to a variety of fields of study;

5)       A basic understanding of Christian perspectives on the natural sciences.

Course Texts:

1.  Christopherson, R.W., Birkeland, G.H., Byrne, M-L., and Giles, P.T.   Geosystems: An Introduction to Physical Geography, 4th (or 3rd) Canadian Edition. Toronto: Prentice Hall. 2016 (2013). (*Or, if available, alternate electronic book version).  

This is also the text for GG 1023 Winter Term. If you take (or have taken) GG 1023 you do not have to buy another text in January!  There may also be copies available for resale.  The same text has been used for several years.

2. Online notes are posted on the website.  A schedule of readings is in the Course Calendar

3. For the Labs, you will need a copy of two National Topographic System of Canada maps, scale 1:50 000:

                        83/C3 -- Columbia Icefield

21/H16 -- Amherst

On campus students, these maps are available in the library.  Ask one of the librarians if you require assistance.  Alternatively, PDF versions of the maps you can access online are here:  21H16 Amherst    83C03 Columbia Icefield

Course Requirements

This course is a Distance Learning course. Most students respond very positively – they can work on their own time and in their own way. But it does require a different approach to learning! You will have the privilege (or challenge, depending how you look at it!) to be more self-directed in your learning! There are several implications of which you need to be aware as you commit to the course: 

Practical Implications: 

• You will still need to follow along from the course homepage:  http://www.rossway.net/crandall1013.htm
• The workload for this course is equivalent to any other 3 credit hour class offered on campus--approximately 2 hours of reading (textbook) and study for each 1 hour of lecture (online notes).
• You will be expected to be diligent in reading the course notes and text as these will be the chief sources of information. 
• Internet access is absolutely essential as a source of information (the lectures are all online), to chat with the instructor about course content and assignments, to chat with other students, and to access other websites with information relevant to the course.
• You will need to complete assignments absolutely on time in order that they may be forwarded to the instructor.
• If you are on campus, you are encouraged to organize a “Study Group” which will meet weekly, in order to work on labs and help one another understand difficult concepts. The online discussion group provides a forum for dialogue among both on- and off-campus students.

Personal Implications:

• You will need to be self-directed and self-motivated to complete the course requirements.
• You will need to be disciplined to complete the assignments on time.
• The Study Groups will only be as helpful and productive as you choose to make them.  Study Groups can be one of the most effective – and enjoyable – methods of learning.
• You will not need to spend as much time in class as a traditional course … but more time in personal study.
• You may be able to complete the requirements for the course (except for the exams), early!
• You will have the opportunity to direct your own learning times and styles.
• You will learn some invaluable skills and discipline in time management and self-directed learning.

SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

1. Reading Assignments (5%)  There will be regular reading assignments from the course notes and text, as indicated in the calendar. You will be asked, as part of every lab, to indicate whether you have or have not done the readings. Because this will be the chief source of information in the course, reading is essential.

2. Labs (25%)  Laboratory exercises are required and will be evaluated. Labs are on the website.  All the materials you require for labs – topographic maps, etc. – are available in the Library. Ask one of the librarians if you require assistance. Alternatively, PDF versions of the maps you can access online are here:  21H16 Amherst    83C03 Columbia Icefield.  You are encouraged to work on your labs in partners or in groups. Often it is helpful to interact with other students – great!  However you must hand in your own lab! (Remember, your partner[s] may not be correct, anyway!). 

Each lab has its due date clearly indicated on it. This information is also on the course calendar.  Labs must be submitted to the Academic Office on or before the due date provided on each lab.  I will mark them and return them, usually within 10-14 days. Late labs will not be accepted. 

3. Mid-term examination (31%) –  Friday, October 30, 2-4 PM - check with the Registrar for the location.

The mid term exam will be based on lecture material and readings covered in the first half of the term. It will be based on:

• Labs 1-3 (you may not have Lab 3 back yet, but know how to do the exercises)
• Chapters 1, 12-15 of Geosystems (4CE) and online notes (3CE, Chapters 11-14).

4. Participation in a moderated discussion group (8%).    Over the term you will be expected to join in an online discussion with your classmates. During the year you are responsible to keep an eye on the discussion ... and to participate!  You are responsible to make one entry per week (see the calendar for any exceptions).  I will post suggested topics.  Or you can create your own.  There is no set time you have to be online. Rather, interact with other posted comments or post your own. (in this sense it is more of a forum for posted comments than a live chatroom). Your participation will count towards your grade!

You can join the class by logging in to www.nicenet.org and choosing For Students: Join a Class.  The Class Key for Geography 1013 is: 3Z34897G97. 

Most students really enjoy this opportunity to discuss ideas related to the course content.

5.  Final examination (31%) – TBA - check with the Registrar for the location.

You have an option in the second half of the course. You may either choose to write the final examination or to complete the final assignment (please note the due date). The choice is yours!

The final exam will be based on lecture and lab material and readings covered from the mid-term exam until the end of the term.  The final exam will cover:

• Labs 4-6
• Chapters 15-18 of Geosystems
• Theological Issues

6. Final Assignment (31%)  Proposal due November 13.  Project due December 7

You have an option in the second half of the course. You may either choose to write the final examination or to complete the final assignment (please note the due date). The choice is yours!

This project may take the form of a research paper or a more creative presentation - original artwork, drama, music, etc. In either case the topic chosen must relate to the subject matter of the course and must demonstrate research beyond the material presented in class. 

References MUST include at least eight (8) published materials such as books, articles, or websites by recognized authors (credible websites might include government, university, or professional association websites). .

A brief written proposal must be submitted by email to the instructor) by November 13, indicating

• your preferred topic,
• a proposed outline of your project, and
• ideas for resources

The assignment is due on the above date (late submissions will NOT BE ACCEPTED because there will not be an opportunity to get them graded in time for the mark deadline!).  If you miss the due date, you MUST write the FINAL EXAM!  Note that your project must be email-able or “snail-mail”-able to Lethbridge!  You (NOT the Office) are responsible to mail or email it – please email by midnight or mail it, postmarked on or before the due date.  My address is:  1116 - 17A Street South, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 1Z6

* Remember, everyone must write the mid term exam. However you have an option in the second half of the course. You may either choose to write the final examination or to complete the final assignment (please note the due date). The choice is yours!

Guidelines for Written Assignments

All written assignments (labs and papers) are to be submitted to the Academic Office, with the instructor’s name clearly on the first page, and the due date. No late papers or assignments will be accepted.  In addition, no term work can be accepted after the last day of class. Please note that students are required to retain a copy of all assignments (hard copy or electronic version).

For your final project, references must be provided, formatted according to an accepted style.  I recommend the APA style (guide)

Academic Honesty and Integrity

Academic honesty and integrity is essential to the academic enterprise and the university community. All written work submitted must be your own.  If you borrow ideas or distinctive phrases, or include direct quotations in your written assignments, you must acknowledge your source(s) properly by in-text citation or footnote. It is also wrong to copy another person’s work or to submit an assignment previously handed in for credit in another course. Students guilty of plagiarism will receive a grade of zero for the assignment. 

Course Evaluation:

Evaluation of Papers and Assignments

Students will receive grades on work completed throughout the term. These grades will be weighted according to the relative weight of each assignment (see above), converted to a percentage, and then converted to the alpha letter grading system at the end of term according to the following breakdown:

    A+ = 4.33 (94-100%)

    A = 4.00 (87-93%)

    A- = 3.67 (80-86%)

    B+ = 3.33 (77-79%)

    B = 3.00 (74-76%)

    B- = 2.67 (70-73%)

    C+ = 2.33 (67-69%)

    C = 2.00 (64-66%)

    C- = 1.67 (60-63%)

    D+ = 1.33 (57-59%)

    D = 1.00 (54-56%)

    D- = 0.67 (50-53%)

    F+ = 0.33 (40-49%)

    F = 0.00 (below 40%)

Specific Assignments are weighted as follows:

1. Reading Assignments                                       5%  

2. Labs                                                                25% . 

3. Mid-term examination                                        31%

4. Participation in a moderated discussion group     8% 

5.  Final examination or Final Assignment               31% 

Course Outline:

See course calendar

Availability

Please note that the professor will check email messages at least once per day, Monday-Saturday. Therefore Monday-Sunday you should receive a response within 24 hours (approximately). The professor does not do course work on Sundays.  (Note your labs are due on Tuesdays so you don’t have to work on Sundays, either!  J)