This document outlines the policies and expectations for an academic geography course. It discusses cheating and plagiarism, cell phone use, use of the Blackboard online platform, accommodations for disabled students, contact information for the instructor, the tentative class schedule and topics, resources for student success, an introduction to the fields of geography, and the tools and realms that will be studied.

1. 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.

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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Contact Information The best way to reach me is by e-mail. My e-mail address is: [email_address] My mailbox is located the Liberal Arts Building (Building 30, our building) My voice mail is (760) 245-4271 ext. 8585. I do not check my voice mail as often as my e-mail.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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…

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

10. 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

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

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

13. 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

14. 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