Contra Costa College
Course Outline
Department & Number
Course Title
Prerequisite
Challenge Policy
Co-requisite
Challenge Policy
Advisory
Geog 120L
Physical Geography Laboratory
None
Geog 120
Number of Weeks
Lecture Hours By Term
Lab Hours By Term
*Hours By Arrangement
Units
18
18
36
1.0
None
*HOURS BY ARRANGEMENT:
0
Hours per term.
ACTIVITIES: (Please provide a list of the activities students will perform in order to satisfy the HBA requirement):
COURSE/CATALOG DESCRIPTION
This course is a complement to Geography 120. It will explore in the laboratory environment what
Geography 120 covers in the lecture format.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the completion of the course the student will be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Interpret isoline maps.
Apply knowledge of the course to field trip experiences.
Describe geodesic relationships in seasonal variation.
Describe seasons - wet vs. dry.
Evaluate continentality.
Explain tree identification.
Construct weather maps.
Interpret storms and frontal systems.
Demonstrate navigation calculations.
Demonstrate topographic map interpretation skills.
Demonstrate weather map interpretation skills.
Identify rock types.
Interpret various types of landforms.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will be able to describe how geography looks at the world through spatial patterns
Students will be able to analyze the concept of region as a central concept in geography
Students will be able to critique how people modify the landscape to meet their personal and societal needs
Students will be able to describe how the earth is affected by the sun and moon
.
COURSE CONTENT (Lecture):
COURSE CONTENT (Lab):
1. Isoline maps
2. Field trips
3. Seasons - geodesic relationships
4. Seasons - wet vs. dry
5. Continentality
6. Tree identification
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Weather maps
Storms and frontal systems
Navigation
Topographic map interpretation
Landform types
Rock identification
Landform interpretation
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
Laboratory work with supplemental lecture/discovery exercises
Cooperative learning
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:
NOTE: To be UC/CSU transferable, the text must be dated within the last 7 years OR a statement of justification for a text beyond the
last 7 years must be included.
Textbook Title: Contra Costa College Physical Geography
Author: Darrel Hess
Publisher: Pearson Custom Library for Geography and Geology
Edition/Date: 2012
Textbook Reading Level: 19.7
Justification Statement:
OUTSIDE OF CLASS WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS:
Title 5, section 55002.5 establishes that a range of 48 -54hours of lecture, study, or lab work is required for one unit of credit.
For each hour of lecture, students should be required to spend an additional two hours of study outside of class to earn one
unit of credit.
 State mandates that sample assignments must be included on the Course Outline of Record.
Outside of Class Weekly Assignments
Hours per week
Weekly Reading Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
1
Reading #1: Read the section on latitude and sun angles. Be prepared to calculate the angle of the noon sun for any
latitude on any day of the year in the lab.
Reading #2: Read the section on map scales. Be prepared to measure linear distances and areas on a topographic
map in the lab.
Weekly Writing Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
Weekly Math Problems (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
1
Using a computer-based terrain analysis program, generate a contour map and 3D block diagram of the area
including CCC. Print these products and take them outside to locate any differences between the existing surface.
Lab or Software Application Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
Other Performance Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
STUDENT EVALUATION: (Show percentage breakdown for evaluation instruments)
60
40
%
%
%
%
Laboratory assignments
Midterm and Final Exam.
GRADING POLICY: (Choose LG, P/NP, or SC)
Pass / No Pass
x Letter Grade
90% - 100% = A
80% - 89% = B
70% - 79% = C
60% - 69% = D
Below 60% = F
70% and above = Pass
Below 70% = No Pass
Prepared by: Manu Ampim
Date: 11-8-13
Revised form 10/13
Student Choice
90% - 100% = A
80% - 89% = B
70% - 79% = C
60% - 69% = D
Below 60% = F
or
70% and above = Pass
Below 70% = No Pass