Chabot College Fall 2002Replaced Fall 2010Course Outline for Geography 1INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHYCatalog Description:Geography 1 - Introduction to Physical Geography 3 unitsEarth's natural environments, with emphasis on spatial characteristics, change over time, interactions between environmental components, and human-environment interactions. Physical processes, techniques, and tools by which Earth's climates, soils, vegetation, water resources, and land forms are linked into integrated global patterns. Affect of natural environments on human activities and how humans modify environments. Field trips may be included. 3 hours.[Typical contact hours: 52.5]Prerequisite Skills:None.Expected Outcomes for Students:Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:1. apply the techniques and tools of geography (e.g., locational reference systems, geographic information systems, maps, remotely-sensed imagery) to the interpretation ofspatial information;2. apply the great circle concept and longitudinal space-time relationships to the solution ofpractical distance and time problems;3. recognize that cartographic representations of spatial information are affected by relationships between map scale, detail, and areal coverage and by the basic map properties and distortions inherent in map projections;4. apply knowledge of atmospheric processes, air/sea interactions, weather elements/events, and climate controls to the classification, properties, and distribution ofworld climate types;5. observe, describe, and explain the origins, characteristics, spatial distributions, interactions, and integrated patterns of climate, soils, vegetation, water resources and land forms;6. recognize that all land forms are the result of the interaction of internal tectonic forces and external geomorphic processes and apply that knowledge to an appreciation and understanding of specific land form origins, processes and types;7. apply knowledge of the distribution of resources, environmental hazards, and human-environmental interactions to rational decision-making processes and activities which affect the habitability of Planet Earth.Chabot CollegeCourse Outline for Geography 1 Page 2Fall 2002Course Content:1. Earth age, shape, size, and great circles2. Geographic grid and coordinate system3. Longitudinal space-time relationships4. Maps, geographic information systems, and remote sensing5. Atmospheric elements/processes/events, atmosphere-ocean interactions, and climate controls6. Geomorphology, including:a. tectonic forces: vulcanism, folding, faulting, earthquakes, and plate tectonicsb. gradational processes: fluvial, aeolian, glacial, coastal7. Hydrological cycle8. Interface: Hydrosphere, Lithosphere, Atmosphere, BiosphereMethods of Presentation:1. Lecture2. Interactive Discussions3. Hands-on ApplicationsAssignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:1. Typical Assignmentsa. Students will be required to take notes on all videos and occasional class lectures which will be submitted to the instructor for evaluation.b. Weekly quizzes and exams 2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progressa. Exams and quizzesb. Hands-on Applicationsc. Final examinationTextbook(s) (Typical):Geosystems: An Introduction to Physical Geography, Robert Christopherson. Prentice Hall,latest edition, 2001 or latest edition.Essentials of Physical Geography or Physical Geography: A Landscape Appreciation, Tom L. McKnight, Prentice Hall, latest edition, 2001 or latest edition..Introducing Physical Geography, Alan Strahler and Arthur Strahler, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., latest edition, 2001 or latest edition..Special Student Materials:NoneDA C:\courseoutlinesRevised: