UST 289 Physical Geography Summer 2011 Section 501 Cleveland State University Physical Geography Levin College of Urban Affairs Summer Semester, 2010 Blackboard Department of Urban Studies email:[email protected] Instructor: Ruth Ruud Mailbox in Room 105 Office: UR217 Hours by appointment Phone: 216-702-8300 (leave message) Course Description: This course is an introductory examination of the development of the physical environment in which we live. The course will cover this development drawing from a number of scientific fields, among them being meteorology, geomorphology and agronomy. Course Objective: The objective of the course is to assist the student in understanding how the physical environment has developed and its impact on our metropolitan areas both suburban and urban. This course will also assist the student to understand how geographical knowledge can aid in understanding and solving problems of the city. An emphasis is placed on helping the student to relate science to their everyday lives and what can be done to protect our fragile environment. Knowledge Understand the steps used in the scientific method. Recognize how scientific inquiry can be used to understand the development of the natural world that the student lives in. Understand how advancement in measurement and observation tools has led to advances in data collection that have enhanced knowledge of how our physical environment has developed over time. Understand the design of experimentation, data gathering, and observation. Develop an appreciation of the difference of results using analysis, logic and deduction from the scientific method versus other more subjective means. Skills – quantitative literacy Use technology to solve mathematical problems as well as to prepare graphs and charts. Understand how to interpret graphs, tables and schematics and to draw inferences from them.Represent differences of annual data over time in a symbolic, visual, or verbal manner that has clarity of result. Understand of natural science phenomena by data collection and analysis using prescribed formulae. Recognize, understand and present the limitations of mathematical modeling used in the natural sciences. Note: 15% of student grade is based on an evaluation of quantitative literacy Skills – writing Develop an ability to find the “real issue” in development of an argument. Understand how to apply material learned in the course to the natural world that the student lives in. Understand the process of developing an appropriate thesis statement for a paper and being able to apply it. Understand how to paraphrase material and to apply it in the context of a paper. Develop the ability to appropriately use a citation format. General Education Statement: This course is approved as a general education course meeting the requirements for the natural science breath of knowledge. Skill areas for this class include writing and quantitative literacy. Course Method: This class is an internet class. Students are expected to complete all assignments as noted. Discussion will occur via discussion boards. Students often have difficulty staying on schedule with their assignments in internet classes. In order to help you maintain the schedule material turned in after the last date of acceptance noted will have a 5% late penalty. Internet classes do require research and writing assignments since no formal class time is required. Students are responsible for contacting the instructor as soon as problems arise that might hinder your ability to submit your work on time. There is one scheduled meeting that will occur on the first day of the semester should you need to meet with the instructor. This meeting is NOT mandatory. Rather it is scheduled to give students a set time that they know the instructor will be available to meet with them to introduce the class. Grading Policy: Grades are based on the results of application exercises, quizzes, a short paper and participation on discussion boards. There will be six quizzes given (dates as noted in the syllabus). Four short answer exercises are also required. Five Earthweek discussion board postings are required. One short paper will also be assigned. The grade points will be distributed as follows; Quizzes (6) 20%Short Exercises (4) 30% Short Paper 20% Earthweek posting (5) 15% Quantitative Exercises (3) 15% Students are required to post as noted. Assignments are due as noted. Late assignments are subject to a 5% grade penalty per week they are late. Final acceptance dates are noted in the syllabus and on the Blackboard calendar. The grade scale is as follows: 95- 100 A 94-90 A- 89-87 B+ 86-83 B 82-80 B- 79-75 C+ 74-70 C 60- 69 D Text: Strahler, Alan, Merali Zeeya, 2008. Visualizing Physical Geography, New York, NY. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. You may purchase the textbook at the bookstore or online or the “card” which is an electronic version of the textbook. This is also available at the bookstore. You may not sell back the “card” but can sell the book back. Class Schedule and Readings Week 1: Chapters 1 to 3 The Earth As a Rotating Planet, The Earth’s Global Energy Balance, Air Temperature Earthweek 1: Due May 28th Exercise 1 is due May 28th Quiz 1 is due May 28th Week 2: Chapter 4 to 6: Atmospheric Moisture and Precipitation, Winds and the Global Circulation, Weather Systems Quantitative 1: Due date June 4th Earthweek 2: Due date June 4th Exercise 2 is due June 4th Quiz 2 is due June 4th Week 3: Chapter 8 and 9: Earth Materials and Plate Tectonics Quantitative 2: Due date June 11th Earthweek 3: Due date June 11th Exercise 3 is due June 11th Quiz 3 is due June 11th Week 4: Chapters 10,11 and12: Weathering and Mass Wasting,Fresh Water of the Continents, Landforms Made by Running Water Earthweek 4: Due date June 18th Short Paper is due June 18th Quiz 4 is due June 18thWeek 5: Chapter 13,14 and 15 : Landforms Made by Waves and Wind, Glacial Landforms and the Ice Age and Global Soils Quantitative 3: Due June 25th Earthweek 5: Due June 25th Exercise 4 is due June 25th Quiz 5 is due June 25th Week 6: Chapter 16 and 17: Weathering and Mass Wasting, Fresh Water of the Continents) Quiz 6 is due July 2nd Additional Information Special