Course Description

GEOG 101: A study of earth orbital factors affecting time, tides and seasons; climate, weather, soils and vegetation; interaction between Man and the natural resources; map reading. 3 lecture hours; 2 lab hours per week. IAI: P1 909L

Class Meetings

Building 2 Room 219
11:00 - 11:50 Monday, Wednesday and Friday
1:00 - 2:50 Monday Lab

Instructor

Richard Harwood

Office Hours

Monday-Wednesday 9:00 - 10:50 a.m., Friday 10:00 - 10:50 p.m., Building 2, Rm 266, Tel. 309-796-5271. To arrange a meeting, talk to the instructor in class, lab or during office hours. E-mail: profharwood@icloud.com. Click here to see Richard Harwood's schedule.

Course Schedule

Date	Subject	Article Reading Assignments	Lab
Aug. 22	Introduction to Course, Outline, Expectations	Geography Articles	1. Introduction to Lab
Aug. 24	Maps and Location Systems	Maps Articles
Aug. 26	Earth Rotation and Revolution	Earth Articles
Aug. 29	Time	Time Articles	2. Metric System, Graph Analysis
Aug. 31	The Sun and Electromagnetic Radiation	The Sun Articles
Sept. 2	Open Date
Sept. 5	Labor Day - NO CLASSES		No Lab
Sept. 7	EXAM I
Sept. 9	Global Radiation Balance	Global Radiation Balance Articles
Sept. 12	Global Energy System	Global Energy System Articles	3. Maps and Time
Sept. 14	Composition of the Atmosphere	Composition of the Atmosphere Articles
Sept. 16	Air Temperature	Air Temperature Articles
Sept. 19	Temperature Structure of the Atmosphere	Temperature Structure Articles	Lab Practical I
Sept. 21	Greenhouse Effect	Greenhouse Effect Articles
Sept. 23	Open Date
Sept. 26	EXAM II		4. Insolation
Sept. 28	Global Warming	Global Warming Articles
Sept. 30	Global Warming
Oct. 3	Hydrosphere and Hydrologic Cycles	Hydrosphere Articles	6. Temperature and Thermometers
Oct. 5	Humidity, Clouds, Fog	Humidity Articles
Oct. 7	Precipitation	Precipitation Articles
Oct. 10	Columbus Day - NO CLASSES		No Lab
Oct. 12	Pollution	Pollution Articles
Oct. 14	Atmospheric Pressure, Pressure Gradients	Atmopsheric Pressure Articles
Oct. 17	Open Date		7. Temperature Cycles and Maps
Oct. 19	EXAM III
Oct. 21	Winds	Winds Articles
Oct. 24	Global Wind Patterns	Global Wind Articles	8. Humidity and Orographic Precipitation
Oct. 26	High Altitude Winds	High Altitude Winds Articles
Oct. 28	Tornadoes	Tornadoes Articles
Oct. 31	Tornadoes		Lab Practical II
Nov. 2	Cyclones and Anticyclones	Cyclones and Anticyclones Articles
Nov. 4	Open Date
Nov. 7	EXAM IV		9. Barometric Pressure
Nov. 9	Tropical Weather Systems	Tropical Weather Articles
Nov. 11	Veteran's Day - NO CLASSES
Nov. 14	Poleward Transport	Poleward Transport Articles	10. Wind
Nov. 16	Climate Classification	Climate Classification Articles
Nov. 18	Climates	Climates Articles
Nov. 21	Climates		11. Air Masses and Severe Weather Risk
Nov. 23	EXAM V
Nov. 25	Thanksgiving - NO CLASSES
Nov. 28	Plant Successions	Plant Successions Articles	12. Weather Maps
Nov. 30	Plant Successions
Dec. 2	Nature of Soils	Soil Articles
Dec. 5	Soil Development		Lab Practical III
Dec. 7	Global Soils
Dec. 9	Soils - Erosion
Dec. 12	FINAL EXAM - 10:00-11:50 a.m.

The schedule is subject to changes during the semester. Students are responsible for keeping track of changes. The web page schedule will be updated when changes occur.

A detailed outline of each day's topics is available at the Lecture Material link.

Lab Manual - Required

Physical Geography 101 Lab Manual, by Richard Harwood

Web Page Study Materials

Lecture outlines, study material, additional information and reading material may be found on the Physical Geography 101 Web Page under the Lecture Material link at the following URL: http://profharwood.x10host.com/GEOG101/index.htm

NOTICE: It is strongly recommended that students access, print out and read the lecture notes prior to attending class.

WARNING: The web page lecture notes are intended to be used to enhance and assist students in acquiring and learning the material presented in the lectures. They are designed to allow students to follow along and contribute to lectures without the need to write everything down in notes. The web page lecture notes, however, do not contain all of the material presented in class. The web page lecture notes are not a substitute for coming to lecture - attendance is required for successful completion of the course. The web page lecture notes alone will not see you through this course without attending lecture.

Students may access the Internet at any of the open computer labs on campus. Computers are available in the Independent Learning Center, Library and the Science Resources Lab (Rm 2-210). Students do not need an account or login name to access the Internet in these labs. Assistance is available in the labs for students that have never accessed material on the World Wide Web.

Reading Assignments

This course does not use a traditional textbook. However, that does not mean there isn't text material for the course. No single textbook covers all of the topics that will be covered in this course. As a result, the reading assignments use a variety of materials including journal articles, magazine articles, newspaper articles, selected text from books, web pages, and other web-based resources. The total amount of reading material for this course is equivalent to a full-sized textbook. The difference is that it is not all located in one source. The Reading Material page lists the articles and web pages that are the reading assignment for each lecture.

Exams

There are six exams. Each exam will be comprehensive. The majority of questions, approximately 80%, will cover material from the most recent lectures, with additional questions covering major topics, concepts and definitions from the previous sections and exams. Exams may not be taken before the scheduled exam time - no exceptions.

Exam Format

Each exam may contain one or more of the following items: multiple choice questions, true/false statements, matching, fill-in-the-blank statements, and short essay topics. Exams may contain a full length essay topic. Students should read the Essay Policy prior to taking an exam.

Missed Exams and Lab Practicals

Missed exams and lab practicals will be made up by class time the first day that the student returns to class - no exceptions. For example, let's say you miss the first exam on Monday, Sept. 7th. You then come to the next class period on Wednesday, Sept. 9th. You would be required to take the exam at that time, during the class period. Failure to take the exam at that time will result in a score of zero. All missed exams will be taken in the ILC's Testing Center. Students may arrange to take the exam prior to the next class period, and are encouraged to do so. Contact the ILC for Testing Center hours.

Extra Credit

There are no extra credit assignments.

Grading

The final grade will be calculated according to the following percentages:
   Exams and Lab Practicals - 75%
   Lab Assignments - 25%

Click here to use a Grade Calculator to figure out your grade in the course.

Grades

All grades will be assigned using the following scale:
   90-100% = A
   80-89% = B
   70-79% = C
   60-69% = D
   <60% = F
No incompletes (I) will be given for any reason.

My policy on grades is that you will receive the grade that you earn. I do not "give" grades, you earn them. The grade that you earn will be based upon your knowledge of the required material, your skills in the required activities and your participation, performance and attitude.

Web Page Grade Posting

Individual grades may be accessed through:

Attendance

Daily attendance is taken in this course. If you miss four lecture class hours, either consecutively or cumulatively, you may be officially withdrawn from the class for non-attendance. For additional information see the attendance policy section in the Student Handbook.

Missed Classes

I am not interested in hearing excuses for missed classes. Whether you are in class or not, you are responsible for all material and announcements presented in the lecture and lab sections. It is your job to make sure you have all of the current information. Missed assignments must be turned in by class time the first day that the student returns to class - no exceptions. Missed exams and lab practicals will be made up by class time the first day that the student returns to class - no exceptions. Failure to take the exam at that time will result in a score of zero.

Behavior

You are all adults and I expect you to have behavior appropriate to a college level class - this is not High School. The classroom environment should be professional and friendly. Anyone showing disruptive behavior will be asked to leave. Disruptive behavior includes but is not limited to: a) using profanities, b) intentionally damaging classroom or laboratory materials, c) using cellular phones (Cell phones are to be turned off during class, lab and exams), d) playing video games, surfing the internet for non-course related materials, or texting while the instructor is addressing the class, e) placing feet on the lab table tops while class is in session, f) excessive talking while the instructor is addressing the class, and g) creating an environment that is not conducive to learning for others.

Cheating in any form will not be tolerated. Copying another's work, plagiarism and cheating on tests may be punishable by a failing grade on that assignment or exam, or a failing grade for the course - depending on the severity of the incident.

Recording of Lectures

Whether in analog or digital format, audio recordings, video recordings and still imagery of lectures and lecture materials are permitted for the express purpose of assisting the student in learning the course materials. The instructor must be notified if you are making recordings. Recordings are for the personal use of the student only. No recording may be copied, reproduced, transferred, shared, sold or distributed for any reason. Recordings may not be posted on the internet or any intranet, web site, blog, social media site or any other electronically hosted site. Engaging in any of the proscribed activities may result in the student receiving a failing grade, and may result in additional legal actions. For additional information see the "Use of Copyright Materials" section in the Student Handbook.

Food in the Classroom

I have no objection to your bringing food or drink into lecture or lab. However, it is your responsibility to clean up after yourself. Because other instructors and students use the classroom, don't leave your trash on the lab benches. Put all aluminum cans, plastic bottles and office paper in the proper recycling containers in the hall. Throw all other trash in the waste can in the classroom. If I find trash being left on the lab benches in lab or lecture I will ban all food and drink for everyone for the remainder of the semester.

Due Dates

You are responsible for knowing due dates and exam dates. They are on your syllabus, know them, even if they are not announced in class.

Class Preparation

I expect you to have read the lecture assignments prior to coming to class. Be prepared to discuss the material. A discussion requires at least two people that have read the material and are prepared to examine that information. A discussion with only one participant is a lecture.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1) Describe the interaction of the Earth and sun, including time, seasons and energy balance.
2) Describe and measure the physical characteristics and properties of the atmosphere.
3) Summarize global weather and circulation patterns.
4) Classify climates through the use of climographs.
5) Classify and describe vegetation, ecosystems and soil types, and their distribution.
6) Explain the interaction between the sun, weather, climate, vegetation and soil.

Assessment of Student Learning

The following assessment methods, measures and techniques may be used during the semester to determine how well students are learning.

Background Knowledge Probes; Muddiest Point; Classroom Opinion Polls; Misconception/Preconception Check; Formal student evaluations; Group discussions and comments; Student research papers; Student oral presentations; Written exams; Questioning of prior material; Questioning and discussions during lab periods; Analysis of individual student's comments, questions and answers to instructor questions during the class period; Analysis of lab activities for clarity, workability and content, based on student participation, questions, assignment answers and comments in lab; Individualized tutoring for students.

Withdrawal from the Course

Students are strongly encouraged to talk with the instructor before withdrawing from the course to discuss your reasons for withdrawal, and to discuss options other than withdrawal. If you need to withdraw from the course for any reason, you may do so without instructor approval prior to completion of three-quarters of the course. Withdrawal from the course is the responsibility of the student. Students may either complete the Black Hawk College Add/Drop form or send a letter, fax, or email from the student's myBlackHawk account to the Registrar. After three-quarters of the course is completed, but no later than the last scheduled day of instruction, students must obtain instructor permission to withdraw from the course. Students may not drop the course after the last day of instruction. (see the Student Handbook for the official college policy on withdrawals)

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Lab Exercises

Lab exercises are to be completed during the lab period and turned in at the end of the lab. Students are expected to remain in lab for the full hour and fifty minutes, working on the lab assignment and studying past lab assignments.

Missed Labs

Missed labs must be completed within one week of the date of the assigned lab. For example, if you miss Lab #2, it must be complete prior to Lab #3. Labs completed before the following week's lab will receive full credit for that lab. No credit will be given for labs completed after the one week grace period. However, it is to your advantage to complete all labs, even late labs, as you will be tested over the material on the lab practical. You are responsible for making arrangements to make up a lab.

Lab Practicals

There will be three lab practicals. These are equivalent to exams and will test your knowledge and skills on the lab material. Missed lab practicals will be made up by class time the first day that the student returns to class. Failure to take the lab practical at that time will result in a score of zero.

Each lab practical will be based directly on the activities in the lab exercises. For example, in the Maps and Time lab, you will be asked to determine the Longitude and Latitude of various cities around the world using an atlas. On the Lab Practical, you can expect to identify Longitude and Latitude for cities using an atlas.

Lab Materials

The only materials that you will need to bring are your lab manual, and writing utensils. USE A PENCIL to complete each assignment. Errors will be made and are easier to correct in pencil than in pen. Three colored pencils are often useful. The textbook should be brought to lab as well. A calculator with trigonometric (sin, cos, tan) functions is recommended. All other materials will be provided.

Working on Lab Assignments

Do your own work. You may work in groups or alone but you alone are responsible for knowing the material. Students often fail the lab because they let someone else do the work. You will be tested as an individual on your knowledge and skills during the lab practical - you will not be tested as a group. Do your own work.

Evaluation of Completed Lab Assignments

Lab assignments will be evaluated prior to the student being dismissed from lab. The instructor and student will go over the lab assignment together to check for errors and make corrections. Upon completion the lab will contain all the correct answers, and the student will receive credit for the lab.

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