1. Geography 6 Environmental Geography Thursdays 7:00-9:50 PM Section 69368 Professor Lisa Schmidt

2. What is Geography?

The scientific study of the Earth's surface and its various climates, countries, peoples, and natural resources.

3. Fields of Geography

Human or Cultural Geography

• Deals with social, economic, and behavioral processes

Physical Geography

• Examines the natural processes occurring at Earths surface that provide the physical setting for human activities

4. Branches of Physical Geography

Biogeography

Climatology

Coastal Geography

Environmental Geography

Geomorphology

Glaciology

Hydrology

Oceanography

Paleogeography

5. Branches of Human Geography

Cultural Geography

Developmental Geography

Economic Geography

Medical Geography

Historical Geography

Political Geography

Population Geography

Demography

Transportation Geography

Urban Geography

6. Tools Geographers Use

Maps

• Paper representations of space showing point, line, or area data

• • Or more simply put, locations, connections, and regions

Remote Sensing

• Aircraft or spacecraft provide images of earths surface

GIS or Geographic Information Systems

• Powerful computer mapmaking software connected to data bases

Mathematical Modeling and Statistics

• Used to understand natural and human phenomenon

7. Course Description There may be no more crucial subject of study today than the study of Earths environmental problems.This course is an introduction to some of those problems.When you finish this course, you will be able to think and speak effectively about the environmental challenges we face today, particularly those related to population growth, economic growth, the declines of traditional cultures, poverty, energy use, climate change and their impacts.You will be able to answer the question what can we do to avoid a crisis in the global environment?Geography as a discipline is an ideal vehicle for understanding problems and finding solutions in the global environment.Geographys great strength as a science is its holistic perspective, integrating understanding of people with understanding of the natural environment.Using geographic perspectives, in this class we will ask not how can we best protect nature? but how can we best protect nature while enduring an adequate standard of living for the worlds people? You will gain a global perspective on our environment through geography. You will use the geographical approach to understand the biosphere, environmental principles, economics and environment, human impact, extinction and biodiversity, food/population crises, the social environment, global tampering, and contemporary values in global environmental issues. 8. State of the World

Biosphere: Geography of the Biosphere

Human Impact vs. Natural Catastrophe

Problems with Natural Resources

Problems of Global Contamination

Problems of Global Tampering

Problems of Human Activity Levels

Human Considerations

9. Biosphere: Geography of the Biosphere

Energy

Succession

Biogeochemistry

Ecosystems

10. Human Impact vs. Natural Catastrophe

What is natural and unnatural.

11. Problems with Natural Resources

Agriculture and Food Production

Air and Water

Energy Resources

Land, Wildlife, and Biodiversity

Recycling the Natural Environment

12. Problems of Global Contamination

Toxic Waste

Radiation

Ozone Depletion

Climate Change

13. Problems of Global Tampering

Climate Modification

Loss of Biodiversity

Desertification

Loss of Rainforests

14. Problems of Human Activity Levels

Overpopulation

Food Crisis

Urbanization

Agriculture and Land Abuse

Urban Waste Disposal

15. Human Considerations

What is a sustainable global society?

Contemporary values in Western society toward the natural world

Non-Western views towards nature

Ethics for the future

16. Course Objectives

Distinguish between scientific and non-scientific questions and apply that

distinction to global environment issues.

Demonstrate an understanding of environmental processes (energetics, succession,

biogeochemistry) in relationship to global issues.

Define the essential issue/problem in an environmental problem.

Differentiate between a biological issue from a social environmental issue.

Characterize environmental hazards in relationship to cultural traditions globally.

Distinguish between the various environmental problems as to which pose real

threat to the global environment and which are social, political, or aesthetic.

Recognize the implications of biodiversity/extinction and climatological

modification to world survival.

Recognize the social and resource implications of the population crisis.

17. Required Text

Required Text:

Environmental Geography

McGraw-Hill Custom

ISBN-13: 9781121277281

18. Materials Required

Pens

Pencils

Paper

Internet Access

Recommended:

• Colored Pens/Pencils

19. Assignments and Grading 20. Class Schedule 21. Chapter Quizzes

There will be 12 chapter quizzes.

• These will be given using Moodle.

• You will have one week to complete quizzes.

• Quizzes will close at 6:30 PM on their due dates.

Quizzes will be multiple choice, true and false, matching, and/or short paragraphs.

22. Exams

There will be 4 exams.

• Exams will be based on chapter quizzes.

Tests will be given using Moodle.

• You will have one week to complete exams.

• They will close at 6:30 PM on their due dates.

23. Blog Entries

Each week your group will be required to post at least one news item to your blog AND comment on it.

There will be nine blog groups:

• Air and Water Pollution

• Biodiversity

• Energy

• Food

• Natural Resources

• Population

• Urbanization

• Waste

• Weather and Climate

24. Questions

At the end of each lecture, you will be required to ask questions and you will be given points for this.

25. Project and Presentation

For this class, you are required to complete a research project and give a presentation.

The project will trace the impacts of a consumer product.

The presentation will be about the project, and will be done in groups.

26. Random Points

At any time during this course I might give a surprise assignment.If you are not here, you will not receive those points.

27. Late Work and Missed Exams

Late work will not be accepted.

Do not ask for quizzes or exams to be reopened if you miss them.

28. Absences and Tardiness

I reserve the right to drop students who miss class twice.

If you have to miss class, you should stay in contact with me if you do not wish to be dropped.

I also reserve the right to drop students for excessive tardiness.

Excessive tardiness is being late more than three times.

If you are going to be late, come in quietly and take a seat WITHOUT interrupting lecture.

29. Academic Honesty

Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated.

Any incidences of cheating or plagiarism will be reported to the deans office.

• Please refer to Chaffey Colleges policy on academic honesty

30. Cell Phones and Texting

Use of cell phones for talking or texting during class is inappropriate.

You may be asked to leave the classroom if you are talking or texting on your phone during lecture.Phones should be set to silent mode when in class.

31. Extra Credit

Extra credit may be offered throughout the course.

You need to be present to take advantage it.

32. E-mailing Assignments/My Mailbox

Assignments will NOT be accepted by e-mail.

I have a mailbox on the campus.

You may leave assignments at my mailbox which is located in Zimmerman Hall.

33. Graded Work

It is your responsibility to pick up your graded work.

Graded work will be held for 30 days after the last day of class and then recycled.

It is highly recommended that you keep your graded work until final grades have been posted.

• Not just for this class, for all of your classes!

34. Dropping

If you wish to drop this course, you must do so formally.

• Not dropping the course may result in an F.

35. Moodle

Moodle will be used during this course.

You will find course documents, quizzes, tests and grades.

You can access Moodle at:http://moodle.chaffey.edu/

36. Class Web Page

http://schmidtenvgeog.wikispaces.com

This web page has been created for this class.

This is where group blogs will be posted.

Power Points and other resources will be available on this web page.

37. Disabilities

If you have, or think you have a disability which may interfere with your ability to perform in this class, please speak with me immediately and please contact the Disability Service Programs office at (909) 652-6398.

If you need accommodations, you must contact them immediately.

38. Contacting Me

The best way to reach me is by e-mail at[email_address]

If you need to speak to me, it can be done before class, after class, or by appointment.

My telephone number is (909) 652-7090 but I check the e-mail address much more frequently.