Post on 23-Jan-2020
Geography 3320:001 Physical Geography
MWF 9:05 – 10:00
Spring 2019
Professor: Dr. K. Snowden
Office: CAS 133A (Temporary)
Office Hours: MW 10:30 – Noon, and by appointment
ksnowden@uttyler.edu
903-566-7434
Required Text: Introducing Physical Geography, by Alan Strahler
Wiley Publishers, 2013 6th Edition
ISBN: 13 978-111-839620-9
Course Description:
Physical geography is the study of landforms at or near the earth’s surface. Physical Geography
provides students with the opportunity to acquire a general understanding of physical systems
that affect the environment. Relationships among climate, landforms, soils and vegetation will be
presented in a geographical (spatial) perspective.
Course objectives:
At the end of this course, the student should be able to
• Demonstrate an understanding of how physical environments form and change over
time.
• Describe environmental processes that occur at or near the earth’s surface.
• Locate where physical features occur.
• Examine and evaluate how environmental processes influence and are influenced by
people.
• Apply the above to critical issues such as climate change, sea-level rise, water resources,
desertification, soil depletion, etc.
• Assess global issues from social science perspectives considering geographical,
biological, historical, social, political and/or economic effects.
Course format: Lecture
Course Calendar
This schedule is subject to change as needed.
Physical Geography GEO 3320:001 Spring 2018 Course Calendar
Class
#
Date Day Lecture
Topic
Reading Assignment Work Due in Class
1 January 14 Monday Introduction
Chapter 1
Syllabus
Introduction
Chapter 1
Earth as a rotating planet
2 January 16 Wednesday Chapter 1 Chapter 1
Earth as a Rotating Planet
Creative Expression #1: Introduction
3 January 18 Friday Chapter 2 Chapter 2
The Earth’s Global Energy
Balance
Creative Expression #2: The Earth as
a Rotating Planet
4 January 21 Monday
HOLIDAY
5 January 23 Wednesday
CLASS CANCELED
6 January 25 Friday Chapter 2 Chapter 2
The Earth’s Global Energy
Balance
7 January 28 Monday
CENSUS DATE
Chapter 3 Chapter 3
Air Temperature
Creative Expression #3: The Earth’s
Global Energy Balance
8 January 30 Wednesday Chapter 3 Chapter 3
Air Temperature
9 February 1 Friday Chapter 4 Chapter 4
Atmospheric Moisture and
Precipitation
Creative Expression #4: Air
Temperature
10 February 4 Monday Chapter 4 Chapter 4
Atmospheric Moisture and
Precipitation
Physical Geography GEO 3320:001 Spring 2018 Course Calendar, Continued
Class
#
Date Day Lecture
Topic
Reading Assignment Work Due in Class
11 February 6 Wednesday Chapter 5 Chapter 5
Winds and Global
Circulation
Creative Expression #5: Atmospheric
Moisture & Precipitation
12 February 8 Friday Chapter 5 Chapter 5
Winds and Global
Circulation
13 February 11 Monday Chapter 6 Chapter 6
Weather Systems
Creative Expression #6: Winds &
Global Circulation
14 February 13 Wednesday Chapter 6 Chapter 6
Weather Systems
15 February 15 Friday Chapter 7 Chapter 7
Global Climates and Climate
Change
Creative Expression #7: Weather
Systems
16 February 18 Monday
MIDTERM
GRADES DUE
Chapter 7 Chapter 7
Global Climates and Climate
Change
17 February 20 Wednesday Chapter 7 Chapter 7
Global Climates and Climate
Change
18 February 22 Friday Review for
Mid-Term
Exam
Introduction, Chapters 1 - 7 Creative Expression #8: Global
Climates & Climate Change
19 February 25 Monday Mid-Term
Exam
Introduction, Chapters 1 - 7
20 February 27 Wednesday Chapter 8 Chapter 8
Biogeographic Processes
21 March 1 Friday Chapter 8 Chapter 8
Biogeographic Processes
Physical Geography GEO 3320:001 Spring 2018 Course Calendar, Continued
Class
#
Date Day Lecture
Topic
Reading Assignment Work Due in Class
22 March 4 Monday Chapter 9 Chapter 9
Global Biogeography
Creative Expression #9:
Biogeographic Processes
23 March 6 Wednesday Chapter 9 Chapter 9
Global Biogeography
24 March 8 Friday Chapter 10 Chapter 10
Global Soils
Creative Expression #10: Global
Biogeography
25 March 18 Monday Chapter 10 Chapter 10
Global Soils
26 March 20 Wednesday Chapter 11 Chapter 11
Earth Materials and Plate
Tectonics
Creative Expression #11: Global
Soils
27 March 22 Friday Chapter 11 Chapter 11
Earth Materials and Plate
Tectonics
28 March 25 Monday Chapter 12 Chapter 12
Tectonic and Volcanic
Landforms
Creative Expression #12: Earth
Materials and Plate Tectonics
29 March 27 Wednesday Chapter 12 Chapter 12
Tectonic and Volcanic
Landforms
30 March 29 Friday Chapter 13 Chapter 13
Weathering and Mass
Wasting
Creative Expression #13: Tectonic
and Volcanic Landforms
31 April 1 Monday
LAST DAY TO
WITHDRAW
FROM ONE OR
MORE COURSES
Chapter 14 Chapter 14
Freshwater of the Continents
Creative Expression #14: Weathering
and Mass Wasting
Physical Geography GEO 3320:001 Spring 2018 Course Calendar, Continued
Class
#
Date Day Lecture
Topic
Reading Assignment Work Due in Class
32 April 3 Wednesday Chapter 14 Chapter 14
Freshwater of the Continents
33 April 5 Friday Chapter 15 Chapter 15
Landforms Made by
Running Water
Creative Expression #15: Freshwater
and the Continents
34 April 8 Monday Chapter 15 Chapter 15
Landforms Made by
Running Water
35 April 10 Wednesday Chapter 16 Chapter 16
Landforms Made by Waves
and Wind
Creative Expression #16: Landforms
made by Running Water
36 April 12 Friday Chapter 16 Chapter 16
Landforms Made by Waves
and Wind
37 April 15 Monday Chapter 17 Chapter 17
Glacial and Periglacial
Landforms
Creative Expression #17: Landforms
made by Waves and Wind
38 April 17 Wednesday Chapter 17 Chapter 17
Glacial and Periglacial
Landforms
39 April 19 Friday CATCH UP DAY Creative Expression #18: Glacial and
Periglacial Landforms
40 April 22 Monday CATCH UP DAY Work on Essays
41 April 24 Wednesday CATCH UP DAY Work on Essays
42 April 26 Friday
LAST DAY OF
CLASS
Review for
Final Exam
Chapter 7 - 17 ESSAY DUE IN CLASS
43 April 29 Monday
STUDY DAY
44 May 3 Friday FINAL EXAM 8:00AM – 10:00AM
Description of Assignments
Tests/Exams
Tests, including both the mid-term and the final exam, may include a variety of questions such as
• Multiple choice
• Matching
• True & False
• Diagram Interpretation
• Short Answer
• Essay
You will receive a review sheet for each test/exam approximately two weeks prior to the test. A
full period in-class review is scheduled for each test/exam.
I do not give tests/exams early. Please do not ask to have your test/exam moved to an earlier
date. Please meet all tests/exams at the time scheduled. Make-up tests will be given with a
legitimate reason and in rare circumstances. Should you miss a test/exam ideally you must notify
me of your impending absence prior to the date of the test/exam and schedule a make-up as soon
as possible upon your return. If the reason for your absence is an emergency, please notify me as
soon as possible. Make-up exams will not be given except when there are exceptional
circumstances (be prepared to provide documentation of your circumstance, such as a doctor’s
note, police report, University-excused absence, et cetera). No tests/exams will be returned to the
class until all make-ups are completed.
Creative Expression Assignments
For each chapter (including the Introduction) you are asked to complete a “creative expression”
assignment. The goal of these assignments is to assess your mastery of terms, concepts, and
processes via your ability to describe or explain these items within a variety of contexts and
formats. These assignments include writing dialogs, poems, (very) short stories, memes, and
postcards, for example. These assignments are posted to Canvas.
Specific readings are assigned in your textbook for each creative expression assignment. Please
review these readings as instructed. No other source may be used to develop your creative
expression assignments.
Essay
A two-page essay is assigned for this class. For this essay, you will explain how globalization
has impacted the physical environment.
• You must state a thesis
• You must include an introduction and at least 3 examples to support your thesis statement
• You must include a conclusion
• Papers are to be NO LONGER than 500 words
Format
• Papers must be submitted in hard copy, in class, on the due date assigned
• Observe standard margins
• Use TNR 12-point font
• Double space all text, separate paragraphs using a single line
• Paragraphs must be indented
• You must include citations and a bibliography of the sources you have used for your
paper (You may not use the lecture power points as a source.)
• Print on side of the paper only
• 2 pages is the required page length (2 pages of text, or 500 words). Your bibliography
and citations do not count towards page length.
• Do not use a title page.
• For your paper heading, please include your name in the upper left at the top of the first
page. Skip two lines, and include your paper title, centered. Skip two lines, and begin
your paper.
A rubric will be posted to Canvas explaining how your essay will be assessed/evaluated. Please
make sure you review this rubric and write your essay accordingly.
Papers are DUE in class, Friday, April 26th. (This is the LAST DAY OF CLASS)
LATE WORK POLICY
I do not like to accept late work. However, I believe that if an assignment is worth requiring, it is
worth taking late (under certain conditions). With that established, I will accept late work,
without penalty, if
• You have discussed it with me prior to you turning in any late work (and prior to the
due date for the assignment), and I have agreed that you may turn in the assignment late
• Your reason for needing to turn in work late is reasonable, justifiable, and supported by
documentation. Technology failure, and pets/livestock eating your papers are not
adequate reasons for late work. Your workload in other classes is not an adequate reason
for late work. The following are good reasons for needing to turn in something late:
o Illness – yours or a relative (for which you are a caretaker)
o Funerals (with documentation)
o Doctor’s appointments (yours or a relative for which you are a caretaker, with
documentation)
o Recognized University activities
o Emergencies (human or veterinary, with documentation)
o Sudden change in work schedules (with documentation)
o Jury duty (with documentation)
For any other reason not included on this list, please talk to me. Late work is handled on an
individual basis.
I will not accept late work
• Via Email – all work must be turned in as hard copy
• If you do not physically put it in my hand – do not shove papers under my door, or ask
that work be placed in my departmental mailbox
• If you have not discussed it with me
***** I will NOT accept any late work after the last day of class. *****
Attendance/Participation
Attendance in this course is required and will be taken daily. You will receive a point for each
day you attend, for a total of 40 points. If you are going to be absent, please notify me as soon as
possible. If you encounter an emergency and are unable to attend class, please contact me as
soon as possible. Whether your absence is excused (and thus not counted against you) will
depend on the reason for your absence.
While attendance is important, DO NOT COME TO CLASS SICK. If you arrive in class
obviously ill, I will send you home. No one wants your germs.
Determination of Final Grade
The total possible points are subject to change should assignments be added or removed as
needed.
Item Total Possible
Points
Percentage of
Grade
Mid-Term Exam 100 14%
Final Exam 200 29%
Creative Expression Assignments
(18 @ 10 points each)
180 26%
Paper 180 26%
Attendance 40 5%
TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS 700 100%
Points
Accumulated
Percentage of
1290
Letter
Grade
700 – 630 100 - 90 A
629 – 560 89 – 80 B
559 – 490 79 – 70 C
489 – 420 69 – 60 D
419 - 0 59 - 0 F
The Use of Electronics in Class
Turn off your ringer and do not use your cell phone during class – this includes text
messaging. If you are expecting an important call, please let me know and please put your phone
on vibrate and sit close to the door. If you receive a call in class, please exit the room to talk.
This action will help minimize any disturbance to the class.
As I typically make my power point slides available on line, you may use your laptop to take
notes during class. HOWEVER, if it is discovered you are using these devices for something
other than classwork, this privilege will be revoked for the class as a whole.
Any video, photographic or audio recordings of the class must be approved by me.
YOU MAY NOT HAVE CELL PHONES OR LAPTOPS DURING TESTS. If you are
found with one during a test, it will be assumed you are cheating and you will receive a zero for
the test. Any communication via an electronic device during an exam will be considered
potential cheating.
UT Tyler Honor Code
Every member of the UT Tyler community joins together to embrace: Honor and integrity that
will not allow me to lie, cheat, or steal, nor to accept the actions of those who do.
Students Rights and Responsibilities
To know and understand the policies that affect your rights and responsibilities as a student at
UT Tyler, please follow this link: http://www.uttyler.edu/wellness/rightsresponsibilities.php
Campus Carry
We respect the right and privacy of students 21 and over who are duly licensed to carry
concealed weapons in this class. License holders are expected to behave responsibly and keep a
handgun secure and concealed. More information is available at
http://www.uttyler.edu/about/campus-carry/index.php
UT Tyler a Tobacco-Free University
All forms of tobacco will not be permitted on the UT Tyler main campus, branch campuses, and
any property owned by UT Tyler. This applies to all members of the University community,
including students, faculty, staff, University affiliates, contractors, and visitors.
Forms of tobacco not permitted include cigarettes, cigars, pipes, water pipes (hookah), bidis,
kreteks, electronic cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, snuff, chewing tobacco, and all other tobacco
products.
There are several cessation programs available to students looking to quit smoking, including
counseling, quit lines, and group support. For more information on cessation programs please
visit www.uttyler.edu/tobacco-free.
Grade Replacement/Forgiveness and Census Date Policies
Students repeating a course for grade forgiveness (grade replacement) must file a Grade
Replacement Contract with the Enrollment Services Center (ADM 230) on or before the Census
Date of the semester in which the course will be repeated. (For Fall, the Census Date is Sept. 12.)
Grade Replacement Contracts are available in the Enrollment Services Center or at
http://www.uttyler.edu/registrar. Each semester’s Census Date can be found on the Contract
itself, on the Academic Calendar, or in the information pamphlets published each semester by the
Office of the Registrar.
Failure to file a Grade Replacement Contract will result in both the original and repeated grade
being used to calculate your overall grade point average. Undergraduates are eligible to exercise
grade replacement for only three course repeats during their career at UT Tyler; graduates are
eligible for two grade replacements. Full policy details are printed on each Grade Replacement
Contract.
The Census Date (Sept. 12th) is the deadline for many forms and enrollment actions of which
students need to be aware. These include:
• Submitting Grade Replacement Contracts, Transient Forms, requests to withhold
directory information, approvals for taking courses as Audit, Pass/Fail or Credit/No
Credit.
• Receiving 100% refunds for partial withdrawals. (There is no refund for these after the
Census Date)
• Schedule adjustments (section changes, adding a new class, dropping without a “W”
grade)
• Being reinstated or re-enrolled in classes after being dropped for non-payment
• Completing the process for tuition exemptions or waivers through Financial Aid
State-Mandated Course Drop Policy
Texas law prohibits a student who began college for the first time in Fall 2007 or thereafter from
dropping more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career. This includes courses
dropped at another 2-year or 4-year Texas public college or university. For purposes of this rule,
a dropped course is any course that is dropped after the census date (See Academic Calendar for
the specific date).
Exceptions to the 6-drop rule may be found in the catalog. Petitions for exemptions must be
submitted to the Enrollment Services Center and must be accompanied by documentation of the
extenuating circumstance. Please contact the Enrollment Services Center if you have any
questions.
Disability/Accessibility Services
In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) and the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) the University of Texas at Tyler offers
accommodations to students with learning, physical and/or psychological disabilities. If you have
a disability, including a non-visible diagnosis such as a learning disorder, chronic illness, TBI,
PTSD, ADHD, or you have a history of modifications or accommodations in a previous
educational environment, you are encouraged to visit
https://hood.accessiblelearning.com/UTTyler and fill out the New Student application. The
Student Accessibility and Resources (SAR) office will contact you when your application has
been submitted and an appointment with Cynthia Lowery, Assistant Director of Student
Services/ADA Coordinator. For more information, including filling out an application for
services, please visit the SAR webpage at http://www.uttyler.edu/disabilityservices, the SAR
office located in the University Center, # 3150 or call 903.566.7079.
Student Absence due to Religious Observance
Students who anticipate being absent from class due to a religious observance are requested to
inform the instructor of such absences by the second class meeting of the semester. Revised
05/17
Student Absence for University-Sponsored Events and Activities
If you intend to be absent for a university-sponsored event or activity, you (or the event sponsor)
must notify the instructor at least two weeks prior to the date of the planned absence. At that time
the instructor will set a date and time when make-up assignments will be completed.
Social Security and FERPA Statement
It is the policy of The University of Texas at Tyler to protect the confidential nature of social
security numbers. The University has changed its computer programming so that all students
have an identification number. The electronic transmission of grades (e.g., via e-mail) risks
violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act; grades will not be transmitted
electronically.
Emergency Exits and Evacuation
Everyone is required to exit the building when a fire alarm goes off. Follow your instructor’s
directions regarding the appropriate exit. If you require assistance during an evacuation, inform
your instructor in the first week of class. Do not re-enter the building unless given permission by
University Police, Fire department, or Fire Prevention Services.
Student Standards of Academic Conduct
Disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against any student who engages in scholastic
dishonesty, including, but not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for
credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking
an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the
attempt to commit such acts.
i. “Cheating” includes, but is not limited to:
• copying from another student’s test paper;
• using, during a test, materials not authorized by the person giving the test;
• failure to comply with instructions given by the person administering the test;
• possession during a test of materials which are not authorized by the person giving the
test, such as class notes or specifically designed “crib notes”. The presence of textbooks
constitutes a violation if they have been specifically prohibited by the person
administering the test;
• using, buying, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part the contents of an
unadministered test, test key, homework solution, or computer program;
• collaborating with or seeking aid from another student during a test or other assignment
without authority;
• discussing the contents of an examination with another student who will take the
examination;
• divulging the contents of an examination, for the purpose of preserving questions for use
by another, when the instructors has designated that the examination is not to be removed
from the examination room or not to be returned or to be kept by the student;
• substituting for another person, or permitting another person to substitute for oneself to
take a course, a test, or any course-related assignment;
• paying or offering money or other valuable thing to, or coercing another person to obtain
an unadministered test, test key, homework solution, or computer program or information
about an unadministered test, test key, home solution or computer program;
• falsifying research data, laboratory reports, and/or other academic work offered for
credit;
• taking, keeping, misplacing, or damaging the property of The University of Texas at
Tyler, or of another, if the student knows or reasonably should know that an unfair
academic advantage would be gained by such conduct; and
• misrepresenting facts, including providing false grades or resumes, for the purpose of
obtaining an academic or financial benefit or injuring another student academically or
financially.
ii. “Plagiarism” includes, but is not limited to, the appropriation, buying, receiving as a gift, or
obtaining by any means another’s work and the submission of it as one’s own academic work
offered for credit.
iii. “Collusion” includes, but is not limited to, the unauthorized collaboration with another person
in preparing academic assignments offered for credit or collaboration with another person to
commit a violation of any section of the rules on scholastic dishonesty.
iv. All written work that is submitted will be subject to review by plagiarism software.
UT Tyler Resources for Students
• UT Tyler Writing Center (903.565.5995), writingcenter@uttyler.edu
• UT Tyler Tutoring Center (903.565.5964), tutoring@uttyler.edu
• The Mathematics Learning Center, RBN 4021, this is the open access computer lab for
math students, with tutors on duty to assist students who are enrolled in early-career
courses.