GEOG 3800-01W: Biogeography
Spring 2012
Instructor: Dr. Georgina DeWeese
Classroom: Callaway 120
Class Time: 900-952am
Phone: 678-839-4065
Email: gdeweese@westga.edu, georgina.deweese@gmail.com
Website: www.westga.edu/~gdeweese
Office: 250 Callaway Annex, 1100-noon MW, or by appointment
Course Description: Biogeography is the subdiscipline of Geography that deals with the distribution, ranges, and limits of plants and
animals over space and time. This class will focus on the processes and patterns of plant distribution in the contemporary landscape,
stressing the development of North American vegetation. The course will covers topics in evolution as it relates to Quaternary
migration and distribution, North American biomes, disturbance ecology, invasive species, environmental stewardship, and climate
change.
Course Outcomes: Students completing this course will have a broad understanding of North American vegetation through space and
time. Students will be able to identify important local plant species and invasive species. Anthropogenic influences over North
American vegetation will also be understood through human manipulation of vegetation distribution, disturbance ecology, and climate
change. This course will produce students better equipped to be functional land owners, land managers, planners, politicians, teachers,
business leaders, and citizens.
This is a DSW (Discipline Specific Writing) course (formerly WAC). There will be several written assignments that will be evaluated
for grammar, spelling, content, and organization. Some assignments are designed to promote writing to learn (WTL), which are
generally shorter and less time intensive. More formal writing to communicate (WTC) assignments are designed to promote
knowledge and communication skills.
Required Texts:
MacDonald, G. (2003) Biogeography: Space, Time and Life. John Wiley
Maimon, EP, JH Peritz, and KB Yancey. (2007). A Writer’s Resource: A Handbook for Writing and Research. McGraw-Hill.
Grading:
Grading Scale: A:90-100% B:80-89% C:70-79% D:60-69% F:<60%
Exam 1: 100 pts
Exam 2: 100 pts
Exam 3: 100 pts
Reflective Journal: 100 pts
Final Paper: 100 pts
Total: 500 pts
All exams will be in short answer/essay format (WTL). A journal will be created by students where they summarize and reflect upon
required readings provided during class (WTL). The final paper is required to be 5-7 pages of text (additional pages of figures and
tables are allowed), 12 pt font, 1 in margins, and on a pre-approved, biogeographic topic (WTC).
WTL – denotes Writing To Learn requirement of DSW courses
WTC – denotes Writing To Communicate requirement of DSW courses
There will be no extra credit opportunities in this course. There will be no make up exams given in this course. If you miss an exam
you MUST contact the instructor the day of the missed exam. Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated and will result in a grade of 0
on the assignment.
Writing Center: 839-6513
Biogeography Course Outline:
Course Mechanics and Introduction
The Scope and History of Biogeography
The Scope and History of Biogeography
No class - MLK Day
Reading:
Chpt 1
Chpt 2
Date:
Mon, Jan 9
Wed, Jan 11
Fri, Jan 13
Mon, Jan 16
The Physical Environment
The Physical Environment
Chpt 3
Wed, Jan 18
Fri, Jan 20
Biological Interactions and Distribution
Biological Interactions and Distribution
Biological Interactions and Distribution
Chpt 4
Mon, Jan 23
Wed, Jan 25
Fri, Jan 27
Disturbance Ecology
Disturbance Ecology
Disturbance Ecology
Chpt 5
Mon, Jan 30
Wed, Feb 1
Fri, Feb 3
Disturbance Ecology
Exam 1
Individuals and Communities
Individuals and Communities
Individuals and Communities
Changing Continents and Climates
Changing Continents and Climates
Changing Continents and Climates
Dispersal, Colonization, and Invasion
Dispersal, Colonization, and Invasion
Dispersal, Colonization, and Invasion
Evolution, Speciation, and Extinction
Chpt 6
Mon, Feb 6
Wed, Feb 8
Fri, Feb 10
Chpt 7
Mon, Feb 13
Wed, Feb 15
Fri, Feb 17
Chpt 8
Mon, Feb 20
Wed, Feb 22
Fri, Feb 24
Chpt 9
Mon, Feb 27
Wed, Feb 29
Fri, Mar 2
Evolution, Speciation, and Extinction
Evolution, Speciation, and Extinction
Evolution, Speciation, and Extinction
Exam 2
Biogeographic Realms
Biogeographic Realms
Mon, Mar 5
Wed, Mar 7
Fri, Mar 9
Chpt 10
Chpt 10
Spring Break
Spring Break
Spring Break
Mon, Mar 12
Wed, Mar 14
Fri, Mar 16
Mon, Mar 19
Wed, Mar 21
Fri, Mar 23
Biogeographic Realms
Biogeography and Humans
Biogeography and Humans
Chpt 10
Chpt 11
Chpt 12
Mon, Mar 26
Wed, Mar 28
Fri, Mar 30
Biogeography and Humans
Biogeographic Distribution
Biogeographic Distribution
Chpt 13
Mon, Apr 2
Wed, Apr 4
Fri, Apr 6
Guns, Germs, & Steel
Guns, Germs, & Steel
Guns, Germs, & Steel
Movie
Mon, Apr 9
Wed, Apr 11
Fri, Apr 13
Geography of Biological Diversity
Geography of Biological Diversity
Biogeography and Conservation
Chpt 14
Mon, Apr 16
Wed, Apr 18
Fri, Apr 20
Final Exam
Chpt 15
Mon, Apr 23 800-1030am