Geography 3251: Mountain Geography
Term A: Summer 2008
Instructor:
Julie Malmberg
311 Guggenheim
Email: julie.malmberg@colorado.edu (best way to contact me!)
Phone: 303-492-4279
Office hours: T, Th 11:00-12:00 or by appointment
TA:
Adriana Bailey
Email: adriana.bailey@colorado.edu
Course Description:
The objective of this course is to provide a broad overview of the physical and
human dimensions of Mountain Geography. The course is intended to introduce and
summarize important issues concerning the Earth’s mountainous regions.
The course is divided into four main categories:
1. Introduction
a. Defining a Mountain
b. The World’s Mountains
c. Perceptions and Attitudes
2. The Physical Environment
a. Formation
b. Climatology
c. Vegetation
d. Geomorphology
e. Soils
3. Ecosystems, Resources, and Development
a. Water
b. Minerals and Mining
c. Forestry
d. Agriculture
4. The Human Dimension
a. Peoples and Cultures
b. Human Physiology
c. Economics
d. Risk and Disaster
Lectures:
9:15-10:50 am M-F, EKLC M203
Please note that you must be in attendance the first two days of class or you will be
administratively dropped from the course.
Text:
None required
Grading:
Exam 1
Exam 2
Comprehensive Final Essay
Topic Paper 1
Topic Paper 2
Photo Exercise
Group Presentation
Study Groups
Date
June 12
June 26
July 3
June 9
June 16
June 23
June 30 – July 1
Every day
% Final Grade
20
20
10
10
10
10
15
5
The number-to-letter grade conversion is as follows (subject to change):
A 90 – 100
D 60 – 69
B 80 – 89
F 59 and below
C 70 – 79
Exams: The exams will be taken in class. You will have the full class time to
complete the exam. Each exam will consist of various types of questions.
Comprehensive Final Essay: The final essay will be written during the final exam
period on July 3rd. The essay should show an incorporation of material over the
term.
Topic Papers: These papers will be due on the date listed. The first paper will be
on a topic about the physical aspects of Mountain Geography. The second paper will
be on a topic about the social/human aspects of Mountain Geography. More
information will be provided in a handout.
Photo Exercise: You will need to send me a picture depicting an element of the
course. You need to be in the picture and it should be emailed to me (in .jpg, .gif
formats) before the date listed. Each picture will be presented in class, at which
time you will need to explain how it shows something you learned in the course.
Group Presentation: Each group will present a 15-20 minute presentation about a
chosen mountain environment. The presentation will include the physical and
social aspects of the mountain environment. More information will be provided in a
handout.
Study Groups: At the end of class each day, groups will submit a list of possible test
questions and answers based upon that day’s material. Well-written questions will
very likely show up on the exams!
Statement on Disabilities:
If you need accommodations because of a disability, please submit a letter from Disability
Services in a timely manner. Disability Services determines accommodations based on
documented disabilities. Contact: 303-492-8671, Willard 322, and
http://www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices.
Religious Obligations: Conflicts with Scheduled Exams, Assignments, or Class
Attendance:
Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to
reasonably and fairly deal with all students who, because of religious obligations, have
conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments, or required attendance. In this class, please
notify me during the beginning of the term of any such conflicts so alternative arrangements
can be made. See full details at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html.
Student Classroom and Course-Related Behavior:
Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning
environment. Students who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards may be subject to
discipline. Faculty have the professional responsibility to treat all students with
understanding, dignity, and respect. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially
important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, culture,
religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender variance, and nationalities. Class rosters are
provided to the instructor with the student’s legal name. I will gladly honor your request to
address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise me of this early in the
semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my records. See policies at
http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html and at
http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student_code.
Academic Integrity: CU Honor Code:
All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and
adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may
include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and
threatening behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor
Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-725-2273). Students who are found to be in
violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions (an ‘F’
on the assignment) and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university
probation, suspension, or expulsion). More information on the Honor Code can be found at
http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html and at
http://www.colorado.edu/honorcode/.
Discrimination and Harassment:
The University of Colorado at Boulder policy on Discrimination and Harassment,
http://www.colorado.edu/policies/discrimination.html, the University of Colorado policy
on Sexual Harassment, and the University of Colorado policy on Amorous Relationships
apply to all students, staff, and faculty. Any student, staff, or faculty member who believes
s/he has been the subject of discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, national
origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status should contact the
Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial
Affairs at 303-492-5550. Information about the ODH and the campus resources available to
assist individuals regarding discrimination or harassment can be found at
http://www.colorado.edu/odh.