UST 289 Fall, 2011 Page 1 of 6 Cleveland State University Physical Geography UST 289 Section 1 Levin College of Urban Affairs Department of Urban Studies Fall 2011 T-TH 10:00 am – 11:50 am Instructor: Winifred Weizer Email: [email protected] Office hours: UR213 By appointment Phone: 216-523-7574 Course Description: This course is an introductory examination of the development of the physical environment in which we live. The course covers physical environments, stressing relationships to people; study of the surface of the earth, including meteorology, science of weather, and geomorphology, the science of landforms. Additional material covered relates to the fields of biology and natural resources. 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. The student will also understand how general science knowledge is applicable to problem solving in their daily lives. The course is designed to meet the following learning objectives: 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 have 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.UST 289 Fall, 2011 Page 2 of 6 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: Although lectures by the instructor are the primary course method, other methods will also be used including guest speakers, videos and class discussion. Students are expected to come prepared to discuss the material that is assigned. Application and quantitative assignments exercises will allow the student to apply what is learned in the class to the natural environment that they live in. We will also explore the weekly “Earthweek” map to discover how the material covered in the text applies to countries throughout the world. Course Requirements: Students are expected to attend all class periods, submit homework assignments when due, complete the midterms and final. Student success is enhanced by keeping up to date with required readings. Class attendance is also critical to the student being successful. Students are also strongly encouraged to print out copies of the instructor’s PowerPoint presentations. These are accessible in .pdf format (3 up with lines for taking notes). The student can access them from home or school via the internet on Blackboard. We will also use blackboard as a communication medium between class sessions. COURTESY COUNTS! The use of cell phones for texting or laptops for web surfing and game playing during class lectures is disturbing to those around you and is not conducive to learning the material. The following requirements will be in effect for this class to minimize those distractions to other students. 1. Cell phones and pagers are to be turned off or set to vibrate during the class session. Texting should be reserved for non-class times. If you have a need to speak with someone or to text them, please leave the classroom. 2. Laptops are acceptable for note taking ONLY! Anyone using a laptop must sit in the last row of the classroom. Grading Policy: Grades are based on the results of written assignments, tests, and class participation. There will be three tests given (two midterms and the final). Two papers will be assigned at various points throughout the class. Three quantitativeUST 289 Fall, 2011 Page 3 of 6 literacy assignments are also a part of this class. The grade will consist of the following; Midterm One 10% Midterm Two 15% Final 20% Application Exercise 1 15% Application Exercise 2 15% Quantitative Assignments (3) 15% (5% per assignment) Class Attendance /Participation 10% Exam attendance is required. Makeup exams will only be given with the prior approval of the instructor. Late assignments will be accepted at the discretion of the instructor once the final acceptance date has passed. All late assignments are subject to a 5% grade penalty per week they are late from the original required submission date. Grading scale: 95- 100 A 94-90 A- 89-87 B+ 86-83 B 82-80 B- 79-75 C+ 74-70 C 60- 69 D Change in schedule: This syllabus is a guide to the semester schedule. The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus and any of its contents at any time during the course by notifying students verbally. Attendance at class ensures that the student is aware of all changes that may be made. Some changes may be posted on the discussion boards on Blackboard. Text: Strahler, Alan, Merali, Zeeya. 2008. Visualizing Physical Geography. Hoboken, NJ, John Wiley and Sons Class Schedule and Readings August 29 to September 4: Course Introduction. What is