GGCCUU 222211 -- GGEEOOGGRRAAPPHHYY OOFF AARRIIZZOONNAA GGLLEENNDDAALLEE CCOOMMMMUUNNIITTYY CCOOLLLLEEGGEE FFAALLLL 22001100 SSYYLLLLAABBUUSS INSTRUCTOR: Steven Emrick CLASS HOURS: M W F 11:00 A - 11:50 A PHONE NO.: 623.845.3697 (sec. 20422) (honors sec. 20420) OFFICE: 05-105 OFFICE HOURS: M W F 10:00 A - 11:00 A CLASSROOM: HU-112 T R 9:00 A - 10:00 A E-MAIL: [email protected] WEB SITE: http://staff.gc.maricopa.edu/~semrick/ COURSE DESCRIPTION: This class is intended as an introduction to the physical and cultural landscapes of Arizona. Geography as a science has historically attempted to study humans and their environment in interaction. It attempts to do this by describing the distribution of the natural phenomena that affect human inhabitation of the earth and the manner in which they have affected patterns of human settlement and exploitation. In turn, human use of natural resources and human patterns of organization on the landscape are also considered proper subject matter for geography. This semester will include study of the physical geography of Arizona, the environmental/ecological infrastructure that supports human society. We will first discuss the landforms (mountains, plateaus, canyons, valleys, dry lakes, volcanoes) that give Arizona its incredibly diverse appearance. Arizona is well known for its dry sunny skies. We will investigate the causes of Arizona's hot dry weather as well as the factors that lead to the sticky humid late summer conditions known as the "monsoon". There is relationship between climate and the diverse landforms in Arizona. An attempt will be made to elucidate the effects of elevation and mountains on temperature and precipitation. The first half of the class will wrap up with a look at the various vegetation types that are found in the state. Arizona contains plants that also grow in the warm forests of Central America as well as those that grow in the polar regions of Canada and Alaska. This plant diversity will be linked to Arizona's diverse climates and landforms. Alternating with lectures on physical geography will be discussions of the cultural geography of Arizona. We want to emphasize how the physical geography of Arizona has had an impact on human occupation through time. How have human occupations dealt with the challenges and opportunities presented by Arizona's soils, minerals, climate, vegetation, and landforms? Just as important is the impact of humans on the natural landscape. How have humans abused or used wisely the natural resources provided to them. We will examine not only the present patterns of human occupation in Arizona but also the geographies present at the time of the Spanish conquest, Mexican occupation, and early Anglo settlement. COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Your grade in this class will depend upon your performance on exams and on map quizzes. There will be seven exams and four map quizzes during the semester. All exams will consist of multiple choice questions, short answers, diagrams, and maps. The map quizzes will be given at various points during the semester at dates yet to be determined. I will supply Arizona maps covering topics such as cities, counties, rivers, mountains, vegetation, climate, etc. These maps will be yours to study from, memorize, and know. Four times during the semester you will take a quiz on one or more of these maps. COURSE MATERIALS: Arizona Highway Geological Map: Arizona Geological SurveyGRADING: Points Total Points Letter Grade Exam 1 100 points 765 - 850AExam 2 100 points 680 - 764 BExam 3 100 points 595 - 679 C Exam 4 100 points 510 - 594 D Exam 5 100 points fewer than 510 FExam 6 100 points Exam 7 100 points Take Home Assignments (2 x 25pts) 50 points Map quizzes (4 x 25pts) 100 points Total 850 points COURSE ATTENDANCE: It is your responsibility to attend all classes. Exams taken in a class from which you are absent cannot be made up without penalty unless you give me prior notice. If given prior notification a make-up exam will be arranged at the testing center – which is located in TDS 118. Make-up exams must be taken within one week of the scheduled exam. Missing an exam without prior notification results in the same process as above except with a 10% reduction in your exam score. You can make up only ONE missed exam!!! Map quizzes taken in a class from which you are absent can be made up on the day of the final. No penalty is incurred with prior notification but, again, a 10% reduction in quiz scores for those who did not give prior notification. Only one map quiz can be made up. If you are late to class on the day of a scheduled map quiz you will take that quiz on the day of the final without penalty. Your attention is directed to the attendance policies in the student handbook/catalog. Missing more than two lectures may be grounds for dismissal from the course. If you have a good reason for being absent, notify your instructor prior to the class meeting so that your absence will be excused. Lectures will begin on time. Be in the classroom at the scheduled time so that your arrival will not disrupt the rest of the class. If you wish to be withdrawn from class for whatever reason, you must start withdrawal proceedings. DO NOT just stop attending class and expect your instructor to withdraw you. WITHDRAWAL POLICY: Week1 through Week 8 – a grade of W will be given to students who wish to withdraw from the class. Week 9 through Week 14 – a grade of W will be given to students who wish to withdraw from the class ONLY if they are passing the class (cumulative score of 70% or better) at the time they initiate withdrawal. A grade of Y will be given to those students who wish to withdraw from the class who DO NOT have a passing grade (cumulative score of 70% or better) at the time they initiate withdrawal. Week 15 through Week 16 – grades of W and Y are no longer available. SCHEDULE CHANGES: Course content may vary from this outline to meet the needs of this particular class. Students will be notified in class by the instructor when adjustments to this syllabus are required. DISABLED STUDENT RESOURCES: Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate disabled students. Students who require special assistance and/or accommodations should consult the instructor. Disability Services and Resources (845-3080), located in the SPS Building, can be of assistance. STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES: Students