This document provides an overview of a physical geography course. It outlines the course objectives which are to introduce students to basic concepts in physical geography including the four environmental spheres of atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere. It details required textbooks, exams, quizzes, assignments, and presentations for the course. Students are expected to demonstrate understanding of geographic concepts and the distribution of natural phenomena through map studies. The syllabus emphasizes academic honesty and provides contact information for the professor.

1. Physical Geography
Geography 101
Professor Lisa Schmidt
Section 58390
Monday 6:30-9:50 PM

2. Welcome to
Geography 101!
• In this class you will learn the
basic elements of geography.
• We will study climate,
landforms, water, soils, and
native plants and animals.
• We will examine the inter-
relationships between these
things and we will look at
their patterns of distribution
throughout the world.

3. Textbooks
• Required
– McKnight’s Physical
Geography
• McKnight
• ISBN 978-0321820433
Required
– Goode’s World Atlas
• ISBN 0-528-65000-3
• Or any recent World Atlas
that contains physical
maps
• Recommended
– The Geography Coloring
Book
• Wynn Kapit
• 978-0131014725

4. Alternate Texts
• You may use older editions of this book or the regular,
non-California editions.
• Details can be found here:
http://schmidtphysicalgeography.wikispaces.com/Textbooks

5. Required Materials
• Pencils
• Pens
• Paper
• Internet Access

6. Recommended Materials
• Colored Pens or Pencils
• For map studies

7. Course Description
• The goal of this course is
to introduce students to
basic concepts in physical
geography…
– Since it is an introductory
course, it is assumed
students have little or no
background in physical
geography.

8. Course
Objectives
• By the end of this course:
– You will gain an
understanding of the
geographic perspective within
natural and environmental
sciences, including place,
space, map scale, map
projection, spatial connection,
and spatial diffusion.
– You will better understand
how to use maps, in
particular, the geographic
distribution of natural
phenomena.
– You will learn about the four
environmental spheres:
atmosphere, hydrosphere,
lithosphere, and biosphere
and how they interact across
the surface of the Earth.
– You will learn the role of
humankind within the
environment.

9. Exams, Quizzes,
and Assignments
Note: You must earn at least
60% to pass this class. You
may be dropped for falling below
60%. Please refer to your syllabus.

10. Exams
• There will be three
exams.
• You will need to log in
to Blackboard for each
exam.
• The format will be
multiple choice, true
and false, and/or
matching.
• Each exam will be
worth 100 points.
• Exams will close at
6:00 PM on their due
dates.

11. Chapter Quizzes
• There will be a quiz for each chapter we cover
in the textbook.
– Quizzes will be posted on Blackboard after each
lecture.
• You must be connected to the internet to complete the
quizzes. See syllabus for campus locations.
– Quizzes will be due one week after they are posted
by 6:00 PM.
• There will be 14 quizzes.
– The format will be multiple choice, true/false, and or
matching.
• Quiz questions may be used on exams.
– You will want to take notes from your quizzes and
study them.

12. Map Quizzes
• We will study the physical features of Earth.
• You MUST bring your atlas to class on map
study nights.
• Colored pens or pencils will be helpful.
• You will have five map quizzes.
• Map Quizzes will be given using Blackboard and
will also close at 6:00 PM.
– North America 25 points
– South America 25 points
– Europe 25 points
– Asia 25 points
– Africa 25 points
• Total 125 points

13. Presentation
• A presentation is required for
this class.
• Presentations should be five
minutes long.
• You may choose from a list of
topics.
• Presentations MAY be done in
groups with instructor
approval.
• A video may be created as an
alternative to a presentation.
• Presentations will be
scheduled, if you do not
present on your scheduled
date, you will lose points.

14. Random Points
• These may be assigned at any
time during this course.
• This could be and assignment
or simply an attendance check.
• Random Points will also be
used for parts of your
presentation-picking your topic,
finding your sources, answering
your questions, etc.

15. Late Work
• Late work will not be
accepted.
• Do not ask to have
quizzes or exams
opened if you miss
them.

16. Absences and
Tardiness• I reserve the right to drop
students who miss class
twice.
• If you have to miss class,
you should stay in contact
with me if you do not want
to be dropped.
• You may be dropped for
excessive tardiness.
– This means being more than
five minutes late, more than
three times.
• If you are going to be late,
come in quietly and take a
seat WITHOUT
interrupting lecture.

17. E-mailing Assignments/My
Mailbox
• Assignments will NOT
be accepted by e-mail.
• If you cannot make it
to class, take your
assignment to my
mailbox which is
located in the Liberal
Arts Building, where
the faculty offices and
secretaries are
located.

18. Dropping
• If you have attended class at least once,
then it is your responsibility to drop should
you decide to.
• If you stop coming to class, I have no way
of knowing if you want to drop or receive
and F, so I will likely give you an F
because it is your responsibility to drop.

19. Graded Work
• It is your
responsibility to pick
up graded work.
• You should keep all
of your graded work
until you receive your
final grade.
– Not only for this class
but all of your classes!
• All graded work will
be held for 30 days
after the end of the
semester then
discarded.

20. • Some extra credit may be
assigned throughout the
semester.
• It will be announced in class
and you must be present in
order to take advantage of it.
Standing Offers for
Extra Credit
1. Donate Blood-bring
me the paperwork
or send me a
picture of you
donating and I will
give you 10 points
extra credit.
2. Get your Ed Plan
done-bring it to me
and show me, for 5
points.

21. Academic Honesty
• Cheating of any kind
will not be tolerated.
– Any incidences of
cheating or plagiarism
will be reported to the
deans office.
– Please refer to Victor
Valley College’s policy
on academic honesty.

22. Cell Phones and TextingCell Phones and Texting
• Use of cell phones for talking or textingUse of cell phones for talking or texting
during class is inappropriate.during class is inappropriate.
• You may be asked to leave theYou may be asked to leave the
classroom if you are talking or textingclassroom if you are talking or texting
on your phone during lecture.on your phone during lecture.
• Phones should be set to silent modePhones should be set to silent mode
when in class.when in class.

23. Blackboard
• Blackboard will be used
for this class.
• You must use Blackboard
for your quizzes, map
quizzes, and exams.
– You will also find
PowerPoint lectures, study
guides, blank maps, grades
and course documents.
– http://vvc.blackboard.com
• If you have questions about
blackboard, stay after
class, I am here to help.

24. Disabled Students Programs and
Services
• If you need accommodations for this course,
please see me after class.
• If you have or think you may have a disability that
might affect your performance in this course,
please contact the office of Disabled Students
Programs and Services at (760) 245-4271 ext,
2212, or stop by their office located in building 50.
• There is help available.

25. Contact
Information
• My e-mail address is:
ProfessorLisaS@gmail.com
• You may text me or leave
voice mail for me at (760)
440-8977
• My mailbox is located the
Liberal Arts Building (Building
30, our building)
• My voice mail is (760) 245-
4271 ext. 8585. This is my
VVC voice mail, which I don’t
check that often.
– Text of E-mail is the best way to
reach me.

26. Note bout Schedule
and Topics
• All dates, topics, point totals, and assignments are
tentative.
• I reserve the right to make changes as they may
become necessary throughout the semester.
• Should you happen to miss class, it is you
responsibility to obtain information about any changes.

27. Disruptive Behavior
• If you disrupt the class, you may be asked
to leave.
• If disciplinary action is taken, you may be
removed from the following class.
• Disruptive behavior includes talking during
lecture or talking during presentations.

28. Class Schedule…
• Please take a moment to look at the
schedule in your syllabus.
• Notice when quizzes are due, when map
studies are, when exams are, and when
presentations begin.

29. For Your Success
• There are computers
available for your use
on campus in the
library and in the ATC.
– See the map on the
syllabus…
There are many other
services available for you-
Counseling
Child Care Center
Veteran Services
Transfer Services
Honors Program
EOPS
And more!

30. What is Geography?
• The scientific study of the Earth's surface
and its various climates, countries,
peoples, and natural resources.

31. Fields of Geography
• Human or Cultural
Geography
– Deals with social, economic,
and behavioral processes
• Physical Geography
– Examines the natural
processes occurring at Earth’s
surface that provide the
physical setting for human
activities

32. Branches of Physical Geography
• Biogeography
• Climatology
• Coastal Geography
• Environmental Geography
• Geomorphology
• Glaciology
• Hydrology
• Oceanography
• Paleogeography

33. Branches of Human Geography
• Developmental
Geography
• Economic Geography
• Medical Geography
• Transportation
Geography
• Urban Geography
• Cultural Geography
• Historical Geography
• Political Geography
• Population
Geography
• Demography

34. What we will be
studying…
• Four great physical realms or spheres of Earth
– Atmosphere
• The gaseous layer that surrounds the earth
– Lithosphere
• The outermost solid layer of the Earth
– Hydrosphere
• The liquid realm of the Earth
– Biosphere
• Encompasses all living organisms of the Earth

35. Tools Geographers Use
• Maps
– Paper representations of space showing
point, line, or area data
• Or more simply put, locations,
connections, and regions
• Remote Sensing
– Aircraft or spacecraft provide images of
earth’s surface
• GIS or Geographic Information Systems
– Powerful computer mapmaking software
connected to data bases
• Mathematical Modeling and Statistics
– Used to understand natural and human
phenomenon

36. Next Class Monday September 12,
2015 (remember next Monday is a
holiday)
• Chapter One
– Quiz will open after class.
• Come to class prepared
to learn : )