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Course Schedule, Geo-Journal, and Test Terms and Places

Physical Geography is an in-depth look at physical characteristics of our world, physical processes operating on and near the surface of the Earth, and how the physical environment affects humans. This course is an excellent base for further study in various earth and related sciences such as: geology, geomorphology, meteorology, climatology, hydrology, oceanography, agronomy, natural resource management, ecology, and environmental studies. It also will provide a core of knowledge that will be useful in everyday life and in other studies such as human geography, history, economics, anthropology, and just about any other course dealing with humans and their environment.

Course Materials:
Required (available in the college bookstore)

• Text : Elemental Geosystems, Christopherson, 5th Edition, Prentice Hall (Textbook web page with study questions)
• Atlas: Rand McNally Atlas of World Geography (this comes bundled with the textbook) OR a comparable world atlas (regional maps showing elevation and various thematic maps)
• Scoring Forms: 4 mini-essay scantrons (#883) and 1 100-question scantron (#882) for section tests and final

• Lab manual. Only buy this bundle if you are taking or are planning on taking the lab.

• Tests: These will be a combination of multiple choice, true/false, matching, short answer, definitions, and location identifications. The questions will be drawn from both our textbook and from material covered in lecture. (Note: At the beginning or the end of many lectures, we will go over one question that will be on the test.)
• Geo-Journal: The journal will have two parts. Everyone will do the in class Geo-Journal mini-entries. About once a week I will pose a question to the class and ask you to write a paragraph or two response (either during class or at home). Put the question and your response on a separate sheet. At the end of the semester I will collect these responses (about 12-15 or so) and give you up to a 2% bonus for them. Be sure to keep track of these! For those in danger of not passing the course, there is a list of extra credit geo-journal activities you can do on the geo-journal web page (NOTE: check with instructor before working on these!)
• Participation: Please be prepared to ask questions about the course material and offer accounts of your experience with our planet. In many class sessions I will ask questions that relate to what we are studying and will select students randomly to help me find the answer. For students on the border of a grade, I will add up to 1% for excellent attendance and participation. If you miss many class sessions you will be dropped.

• Tests: 100% - 5 section tests at 20% each (note the last test, #5 will be our Final and will count as two tests). I will drop the lowest grade (but if test #5, the final, is lowest, just one of the two scores for it will be dropped).

If you miss more than 6 class sections, I reserve the right not to drop any of your test scores and will proportionally average the grades. DO NOT miss the tests, there are no make-up tests. Plan to arrive very early on test days, so you'll have time to deal with unforeseen events (car won't start, fender bender, ticket, take aspirin for headache, etc.)
• Mini Geo-Journal: 2% You will make 12-15 entries based on specific questionsproblems I give you during some class sessions.  These will be collected near the end of the semester.
• Extra Credit Geo-Journal: For students on the border of a grade, I will add up to 1% for excellent attendance and participation. Also, for those in danger of getting a "D" or lower after the 4th test qualify to do a major extra credit Geo-Journal assignments to replace one of their test grades.

Ventura College GIS Program

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