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
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 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.
Use of cell phones for geography or learning is
encouraged!
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-
Health Center
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
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 :
• Chapter One
– Quiz will open after class.
• Come to class prepared to learn : )