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Geography 140-005
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LONG BEACH
Introduction to Physical Geography
Spring 2001
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Instructor Information:
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Instructor: Dr. C.M. Rodrigue
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E-mail Address:
rodrigue@csulb.edu
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Home Page:
http://www.csulb.edu/~rodrigue
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Telephones: (526) 985-4895 or -4977
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Office: LA4 206D
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Mailbox: LA4 106
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Office Hours: TTh 5-6:30 p.m.
Course Description:
Systematic study of the physical environment with an emphasis on
human-environmental interaction and perceptions of environmental hazards and
resources. (CAN GEOG 2).
Course Objectives:
- Develop understanding of the scientific method
- Absorb the geographer's world view: an ability to analyze spatial data, a
sensitivity to the human-environment interaction, a tendency to integrate
information on a regional basis, and a focus on Planet Earth as the home of
humanity
- Become familiar with the natural systems and physical forces shaping the
landscapes of the earth
- Become fluent in the terminology and classifications used in physical
geography
- Learn about major theories dominating physical geography at
this time
- Become aware of the fragility of some of the Earth's landscapes and
ecosytems in the face of human alterations
- Appreciate the vulnerability of human society to extreme natural events
- Acquire hands-on skills in using geographic tools of use in analyzing the
physical landscape, such as map interpretation, remote sensing,
and spatial anaylsis
- Develop familiarity with Internet resources relevant to physical geography
Required Course Materials:
- Text: Briggs, Smithson, Addison, and Atkinson, Fundamentals
of the Physical Environment, 2nd ed.
- An e-mail account (a CSULB account is free to you) and access to the
Internet (whether from home or on campus). AOL, by the way, does not support
the modern browsers with their ability to let you click on mail links and send
messages that way: You will have extra trouble with the e-mail journal if you
try to use AOL for this.
Grading:
Your grade is based on a quiz, several labs, two brief reports,
participation (including a weekly journal), three exams, and a
final. The exams (including the final), the
reports, and the journal/participation each account for twelve percent of your
overall Help Desk |
grade, and so does the overall collection of labs. The quiz counts for
another four percent. The final is not comprehensive. Each report will be
about three pages (double-spaced) in length, very carefully edited (your
writing mechanics will be assessed). One report will be a
précis of your choice of chapters 24-28 in Briggs et
al.. The second report will be a summary of an approved article from a
research journal in the discipline, which relates the research in the article
to basic concepts introduced in class. The journal will consist of your
informal statements of the most important points in the lecture and readings
that week and any observations of physical geography in your daily
experiences. These journals will be graded for overall content and
sophistication but will not be graded for writing mechanics due to their
informal nature. They should probably be two or three paragraphs each week and
will be turned in each Tuesday. Each week's journal entry will be rated 0 for
not turned in, 1 for barely noting what the week's doings were, 2 for clear
and competent summaries, and the rare 3 for truly thoughtful and well-argued
statements that show integration of the material.
Makeups are possible in the event of a documented unexpected emergency in a
student's life or through prior arrangement with the instructor when
the student has advance knowledge of a compelling conflict in schedule,
including work-related and religious obligations and observances. Makeups
under these two circumstances will not be penalized. All other makeup
requests are subject to denial or serious penalty.
I grade on a curve, such that the course GPA is about 2.00. Usually, about
40-50 percent of the students receive the "C" grade, with about 10 percent
earning the "A" (or "F" grades). I modify this distribution, depending on the
quality of a class' performance, compared to previous sections of this course
I've taught.
Tentative Course Outline:
- Introduction (Briggs et al. Ch. 1-2, 4)
- The science of geography
- Definition of geography
- The scientific method
Earth in space
- Evolution of the solar system
- Size and shape of the planet
- Representation of the earth
- The geographic grid
- Quiz
- Earth-Sun relationships
The ocean planet
- Composition and structure of the oceans
- Ocean circulation
- Tides and waves
Exam 1
- Atmosphere (Briggs et al. Ch. 5-9, 11)
- Composition and structure
Earth's energy balance
Elements of weather
- Temperature
- Pressure
- Moisture
- Storms
Global and local climate patterns
- Climate classification systems
- Microclimates
Climate change
- Natural secular changes in Earth's recent past
- Human-induced changes
- Evidence and consequences
Report 1
Exam 2
- Biosphere (Briggs et al. Ch. 20-23)
- Ecosystems and environments
- Energy flows and trophic webs
- Material cycling
Life classification
- Genetic classification
- Structural classification
Global vegetation patterns
Diversity, stability, and resilience in ecosystems
- Definitions
- Some diverse, stable ecosystems are not resilient to human-induced
changes
- Consequences of the loss of biodiversity
Soils
- Soil properties
- Pedogenesis
- Soil as a living medium
- Topsoil loss
Exam 3
Report 2
- Lithosphere (Briggs et al. Ch. 3, 12-17)
- Earth structure and composition
- Elements, minerals, and rocks
- Planetary structure
- The rock cycle
Tectonic processes
- Plate tectonics
- Divergence, subduction, and shearing (and earthquakes)
- Elastic and plastic deformation and failure
- Folding and faulting
- Vulcanism
Gradational processes
- Weathering and mass wasting
- Fluvial processes
- Glacial processes
- Æolian processes
- Coastal processes
Final
This document is maintained by Dr.
Rodrigue
Last Updated: 01/29/01
![[ Earth (Gibraltar), NASA ]](https://home.csulb.edu/~rodrigue/gifs/gibraltar.gif)