general policies, textbooks, grading

Physical Geography–Instructor, David Unterman Spring 2008 Thurs night
1. Contacting: When you need to reach me, use my home phone,
530-272-4650, or email dance7@ sbcglobal.net If you having major trouble with the material, or will miss more than one class, you should contact me.
first homework: by next Wednesday midnight, email me: Your home, cell, work phone #s; street mail address; career & college plans next 5 years; other science classes so far; how many semesters or years of college so far
2. Purposes of this course: *overview of several specialties in the earth sciences, such as weather and climate; hydrology; the earth’s crust and forces that shape it; natural hazards and how people relate with them; relations between the physical environment, its resources, and living things.
*to help you, as a voter, citizen, and future community leader, to understand the methods and language of Geography and other sciences.
*to practice how to work with maps and charts. If you think you don’t like maps and other graphics, take this time to improve your skills.
mailto:dance7@sbcglobal.net
*to get you ready to take classes in "Geographic Information Systems" (computerized mapping and data handling–available at most 4-year schools, also Sierra and American River JCs), and to look at career opportunities.
3. Materials: We use the text pretty heavily–"Elemental Geosystems",
5th edition, by Christopherson–the paperback. The library has a copy. There are no powerpoint notes, but for some topics, there’s a lecture outline or study guide. Bring textbook to class when possible.
A good atlas is recommended, not required. Size and detail are more important than newness for this class. If you don’t own one, you will need to spend time studying at any library. An excellent value is Goode’s World Atlas published by Rand-McNally and edited by Veregin. About 370 pages including the index. Either the 2006 21st edition or an older used one is fine, and it will help later in your academic career. A copy is at our library.
4. Methods: We don’t just memorize places or describe them. We analyze forces that affect places–for example, what does Rocklin have in common with Florence, Italy, and why? What causes tornado alleys and earthquake risk areas? Visual learning is big: pictures to identify, maps, and diagrams, and things to learn about them. When we show a video or slideshow, it’s for a reason-- make sure you write notes about it, and ask questions.
We’re in class about 3 hours a week, and your homework and studying should take 2 to 6 more hours. Text chapters should be read before the class discussion on them. Lectures can’t cover all the material, just the highlights and the tricky parts. Reading the material first is essential.
5. Testing and grading: We’ll have about 10 homework and in-class assignments, making up about 50% of your grade. If you do these well and deliver them on time at the start of the class when they’re due, you control much of your grade without the pressure of tests. Being sick or absent does not change the due date for assignments, so if you are not here, get them brought to class, or emailed, or faxed to 530-272-5124, or dropped at "adjunct mail room", just off the cafeteria. Late assignments get only half credit, and are still required.
Quizzes will always be early, about 6:05. Then we go on and study the next topic. Even though you study for quizzes, keep reading ahead so that you gain more from the lectures.
Exams will include very short essays to show that you understand ideas and processes. Memorizing definitions is not enough. At least one exam will allow open notebooks, so be on time and take notes during class. Taking lecture notes, studying them, and figuring what the teacher is emphasizing, are key skills. Good students will have about 3 to 6 handwritten notes most nights. Talk to me and to other students for advice on note taking, and start by assuming that everything that gets written on the board is important.
There will be a quiz every 2nd or 3rd class. Most quizzes can not be made up if you miss them, but we will drop one low or missing score. I’ll provide a grade summary 2 or 3 times during the semester, but you should also record scores as we go along. 90% and up is an A, 80 to 90% is a B, etc.
I’ll include a grade for being on time, in class, and participating. To stay awake for 3 hours, we need to be active and have discussion. If you tell me your interests, career plans, unusual places you’ve seen, we’ll work this into the curriculum, your photos too.
There will be 3 short, structured, written assignments, based on materials and topics that I provide. It’s OK if you’re not a strong writer.
6. Classroom: We have about 45 hours together to learn the whole planet, its systems and makeup, so let’s use our time well:
*Be on time. If you’re late or unprepared, come anyway.
*if you need a better explanation or can’t follow me, raise a hand right away. You’re probably not the only one, so this helps us all.
*turn off all cell phones, pagers, etc. Tell me now if you can’t do this.
*Read all handouts right away. They may contain an assignment.
Use a looseleaf binder and save all handouts and returned homework.
*Tell me right away about any concerns related to learning or testing.
*Early in the semester, find a few reliable classmates and exchange phone numbers. If you miss a class, check for notes and handouts.
*Most, but not all class handouts will be available via: Sierracollege. edu /
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