Instructor: Alan Forsberg.

Office: 15-141
Office hours: after class or by appointment.
Tel: (650) 574-6677 x9296
e-mail: griots@hotmail.com

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Geography is both a natural science and a social science that focuses on where things are and why. Physical Geography integrates several branches of the natural sciences to provide students with an understanding of natural environment in which we live and the systems and processes that shape it. This course also examines the impact of the physical environment upon people and the impact of people upon their physical environment.

COURSE SCHEDULE

and this syllabus can be accessed at the following web address:

https://griots.tripod.com/csm/g1sp00.html

COURSE OBJECTIVES

At the conclusion of the course you should be able to:

• Define geography, and physical geography in particular.
• Explain how hydrologic, tectonic, erosional, atmospheric, and biological processes are interconnected and together shape the physical environment.
• Describe systems analysis and relate these concepts to Earth systems.
• Understand how earth-sun relationships and topography determine the seasons and location of climatic regions, ecosystems, and soils.
• Summarize the conditions that cause such natural hazards as flood, storms, earthquakes, landslides, volcanoes, and coastal erosion, and explain their impact on humans.
• Analyze and reach valid conclusions from analysis of graphs, geographic diagrams, statistics, and maps.
• Travel with a fresh understanding of the landscape, with greater sensitivity to the differences between places and the explanation for those differences.
• Analyze the impact of humans on the natural environments and research such local environmental issues as waste management, air pollution, water pollution, climate change, and environmental planning.

TEXT

Elemental Geosystems (2nd ed.), by R.W. Christopherson, 1998

Reading assignments will be made from this textbook, and occasional handouts.

HOW THE COURSE IS ORGANIZED

The topics of this course are divided into weeks, which normally cover one or two chapters. Specific topics areas are supplemented with online resources (posted on the page of assigned readings). Classes will be in the lecture/discussion format with full use of graphic illustration.

PREPARATION AND ASSIGNMENTS

You should complete the assigned reading by the due date. Check the online calendar to see if there have been any revisions. Prepare for the class by taking notes and asking questions on topics that you do not understand.

COMPUTER LINKS

The links from the COURSE SCHEDULE are designed to complement the readings and lecture, and to provide students with additional explanation and resources. Treat them as readings on reserve.

QUIZZES / IN-CLASS EXERCISES

I give five quizzes/exercises (each worth 40 points) to encourage you to keep up with your reading and to enable you to measure your progress. Questions may include multiple-choice, true-false, open-ended questions, and matching. Some questions will involve the analysis of maps, diagrams, or statistics. There will be no make-up quizzes. If you cannot make it to class for a quiz, you must provide an official written excuse and write a make-up essay within one week of your return.

MIDTERMS AND FINAL

There will be two midterms and a final. Each of these tests will be worth 250 points and will cover about a third of the course material. I will give you a handout before each test that will give you a clear idea of the most important material to review and I will suggest essay topics in advance so that you can do some preparatory research.

ATTENDANCE

Attendance will be taken periodically using short evaluations at the end of class.

CLASS PARTICIPATION

Class participation means attending regularly, answering questions in class, asking appropriate questions, contributing to classroom discussion and group activities. You may be dropped if you are absent more than six class hours. However, it is your responsibility if you decide to drop the class. Do not count on me to drop you before the last date for a "W".

COURSE EVALUATION

Examinations (3 @ 250 points each)	750 points
In-class Quizzes (5 @ 40 points each)	200 points
Participation	50 points
TOTAL POINTS	1000 points

GRADING

The total number of points that you accumulate during the semester will determine your final course grade. Final grades are based on the following percentages of total points:

A = 900-1000 pts.

B = 800-899 pts.

C = 700-799 pts.

D = at least 600 pts.

COURSE SCHEDULE

Alan's World