Credit Hours: 3 semester hours

Instructor Information

Name: Gary Coutu, Ph.D.

Title: Instructor

Office Location: D211 (Downtown Center)

Phone: (254) 298-8371

Office Hours: Appointment

Email: gcoutu@templejc.edu

Text Site: http://wps.prenhall.com/esm_christopherson_geosystems_5/

Course Site:

http://www.templejc.edu/dept/Geography/GCoutu/GEOG1301/NotesAssignments.htm

Textbook, Readings, Materials

Christopherson, Robert W., 2003, Geosystems 5e, New Jersey, Prentice Hall.

Course Description/Objectives

The goal of this course is to examine and develop and understanding of the discipline of physical geography. This will be accomplished through a study of the earth's physical features and systems. This includes energy, air, weather, climate, water, landforms, rock, soil, tectonics, vegetation, ecosystems and biomes. A recurring theme in this course will be human impact and interaction with the earth's surface.

Course Calendar/Schedule

Last day to drop Friday, April 11

Final Exam Friday, May 6

Grading

Students are expected to actively participate in the discussions and assignments for this course to receive a passing grade. In addition, the following percentages will be used in determining a student's letter grade:

Test: Part 1 20%

Test: Part 2 20%

Test: Part 3 20%

Final: Part 4 20%

Assignments/Attendance 20%

Course Schedule: Readings/Assignments/Tests

*Date*	*Week*	*Chapter*	*Test/Assignment*	*Topic*	*Reading*
Jan 25	1	1 & 2		ESSENTIALS/ SOLAR ENERGY	1 & 2
Feb 1	2	3 & 4	1	ATMOSPHERE and ENERGY	3
Feb 7	3	5	2	TEMPERATURE	5
Feb 14	4	6	REVIEW 3	CIRCULATION	6
Feb 21	5		TEST 1 & 4
Feb 28	6	7 & 8	5	MOISTURE and WEATHER	8
Mar 7	7	9	6	WATER	9
Mar 14	8	SPRING	BREAK
Mar 21	9	10	7	CLIMATE	10
Mar 28	10		TEST 2 & 8
April 4	11	11&12		TECTONICS and VOLCANOES	11
April 11	12	13,14 & 16	9	KARST RIVERS and OCEANS	14 16
April 18	13		TEST 3	ECOSYSTEMS	19
April 25	14	19	10
May 2	15	20 & 21	REVIEW	BIOMES and HUMAN IMPACT	20 21
May 6	16		TEST 4

Textbook Chapters

We will cover the following chapters from the text. See the schedule for assignment and test dates:

1. Essentials of Geography.

2. Solar Energy to Earth and the Seasons.
3. Earth's Modern Atmosphere.
4. Atmosphere and Surface Energy Balances.
5. Global Temperatures.
6. Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulations.

7. Water and Atmospheric Moisture.
8. Weather.
9. Water Resources.
10. Global Climate Systems.

11. The Dynamic Planet.
12. Tectonics, Earthquakes, and Volcanism.
13. Weathering, Karst Landscapes, and Mass Movement.
14. River Systems and Landforms.
19. Ecosystem Essentials.
20. Terrestrial Biomes.
21. Earth, Humans, and the New Millennium.

Course Policies

Attendance, Lateness:

Regular and punctual class attendance is expected at Temple College since it is assumed that students are enrolled for the serious purpose of furthering their education. Excessive absenteeism is defined as being equivalent to two weeks of instruction in a sixteen week semester and may result in the receipt of a failing grade or involuntary withdrawal from the course.

Faculty members will discuss the attendance policy at the beginning of each semester and maintain an official record of attendance for each course primarily to remain in compliance with federal financial aid regulations and requirements. At the discretion of the instructor or as may be required by THECB (Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board) policy and law, the attendance policy for certain courses may be more stringent than the general policy. Students are responsible for reviewing the first day handout for each class and for knowing the attendance requirements.

Further, the college empowers individual faculty members to effect the withdrawal of a student from any course in which s/he has failed to meet attendance expectations. Faculty members are encouraged, but not required, to notify students in jeopardy of being withdrawn from a course. However, since attendance is absolutely the responsibility of the student, such notification is a courtesy, not a requirement. Administrative withdrawal for excessive absence is the prerogative of the faculty member and, as such, students are encouraged to contact their teachers and/or the Admissions Office to confirm enrollment status.

Class Participation:

Students are expected to be very active participants in class discussions and activities. I stress participation to challenge students to develop their own opinions and ideas.

Readings, Fieldtrip CD and Online Review:

This course is reading intensive. Students are expected to come to each class having read assigned chapters. Sections from the Virtual Field Trip CD and the Online (www.prenhall.com/christopherson.) Review questions will be assigned each week. Make sure that you schedule enough time to prepare for each class. You will be given assignments each week. I will drop the assignment with the lowest grade. There will be a few opportunities for extra credit from the Online Review at the web site.

Academic Dishonesty:

Cases of academic dishonesty on exams or class assignments will be referred to the Vice President of Student Services for disciplinary action. The Student Handbook states the College's rules and policies on this matter.

Assignment

Verify that you have received and understood this syllabus by sending me an email at:

gcoutu@templejc.edu

In the email tell me your name and the class that you are in. You will not be permitted to proceed with this course until I receive an email from you.