Introduction to Geography 102
Lecture/Web – Hybrid Format Course (3 credits)
Wednesday 9:00 am – 10:15 am
Meriwether Lewis Hall, Room 220
Faculty Contact Information:
Terri Stamper
Email: tjstamper@lcsc.edu
Office hours: 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. Spalding Hall Rm. 300A
Office hours by appointment
Required Texts:
Introduction to Geography (13th ed.) by Getis, Getis, Bjelland and Fellmann, McGraw Hill (2011).
ISBN 978-0-07-352287-6.
“The Ghost Map” by Steven Johnson ISBN: 978-1-59448-269-4
Course Introduction/Goals:
Welcome to Introduction to Geography, and LCSC. This course introduces how the discipline of
geography makes sense of the world through a regional geographic approach. We will bring together
culture, politics, history, economics, physical geography, and climate to explore current geographic issues
at a regional scale.
The goals for this class are to gain an understanding of geographic concepts and tools, to take a holistic
approach to understanding earth’s peoples, places, and global problems, and to research a number of
topics including impacts of globalization, environmental change, migration, economic and social
development, and cultural shifts.
Physical Impairments:
If you feel there is any physical or mental challenge (including physical disabilities or perceptual
impairments) that may impede your ability to participate in this class, please let me know so that we can
make arrangements. You may speak to me before or after class, during office hours, by email, or any
other way that meets your needs. Please inform me of any pertinent emergency medical information of
any special accommodations you might need in case the building must be evacuated.
Grading Scale:
A > 94%
B+ 87 – 89%
C+ 77 – 79%
D+ 67 – 69%
AB
C
D
90 – 93%
83 – 87%
73 – 76%
60 – 66%
B- 80 – 83%
C- 70 – 72%
F < 60%
Point Values:
Quizzes
10 @ 10 pts each = 100 *
Two Exams
2 @ 75 pts each = 150 **
Daily Participation/Discussion 14 @ 5
= 70
Total Points
= 320
* We will have 10 quizzes
** Exams will consist of different questioning styles, ex. multiple choice, T&F, short answer, and
essay.
*** Possibility of extra credit
Quizzes and Exams:
Quizzes will be administered at the very beginning of Wednesday class. DO NOT BE LATE FOR
THESE QUIZZES!!! They take no more than 10 – 15 minutes to complete. I will be collecting them at
9:15!
There will be 10 quizzes. Each one is listed on the Schedule. I will drop the lowest one so we end up
counting 9 of the quizzes.
Each quiz should be kept and used as study guides for the exams. Keep them and correct any incorrect
answers. A generalized study guide will be provided to you prior to each exam.
Exams Schedule:
1st Exam Wednesday, October 16
2nd Exam Wednesday, December 18
I have incorporated an additional source for reading and discussion – “The Ghost
Map: The story of London’s most terrifying epidemic – and how it changed science, cities, and the
modern world” by Stephen Johnson.
Stephen Johnson provides an historic timeline to 19th century London, England during the horrific cholera
outbreak of the mid 1850’s.
I have added a few websites you may investigate if you are looking for added information:
This web site is devoted to the life and times of Dr. John Snow (1813-1858), a legendary figure in the
history of public health, epidemiology and anesthesiology.
http://www.ph.ucla.edu/epi/snow.html
Michigan State University John Snow Archive and Research Companion
http://matrix.msu.edu/~johnsnow/
Cell Phones and Computers:
I request that all cell phones be turned off during class time!! If you have specific circumstance that
requires that you have your cell phone turned on it will be switched to vibrate and you may leave the
room – quietly - to answer it.
If a cell phone is used during a quiz or test the perpetrator will receive a 0 for that quiz or test. No
warnings, No questions, No rebuttals!
Computers can be used for note taking as long as it does not disturb those around you – this is a small
classroom so be considerate to those around you. If I become aware that computers are being used for
others purposes (email, surfing the web, …) this privilege will be revoked immediately
Lecture Schedule:
Week
Date
Wed 8/26
Lecture topic
Quizzes
&
Exams
Lecture
Reading assignment
Start Reading Chapter 1 & 2
Chapter 1
Chapter 1 Introduction
WEEK
1
Wed 8/28
Mon 9/2
WEEK
2
Wed 9/4
Mon 9/9
WEEK
3
Wed 9/11
Mon 9/16
WEEK
4
Wed 9/18
Core Geographic Concepts
Themes & Standards
Labor Day: Campus Closed
Chapter 2
Maps as Tools
Projections
Types of Maps
Aerial Photography
GIS
Start reading Chapter 3 & 4
Chapter 3
Earth Materials
Geologic Time
Plate Tectonics
Chapter 2 Maps
QUIS #1
Quiz #2
Chapter 3 Earthquakes & Volcanoes
Columbia River Basalt Flows
Start reading Chapter 4 & 5
Chapter 4
Air Temperature, Pressure,
& Wind
Chapter 4 Weather & Climate
Quiz #3
Mon 9/23
WEEK
5
Wed 9/26
WEEK
6
Start reading Chapter 5
Chapter 5
The Geography of Natural
Resources
Nonrenewable Energy
Resources
Nonfuel Minerals Resources
Quiz #4
Chapter 5 Natural Resources
Mon 9/30
Wed 10/2
Mon 10/7
Chapter 6 Population Geography
Chapter 6
(The Ghost Map)
Start reading Chapter 6
WEEK
7
1st Exam
Wed 10/9
75 point Exam
Mon 10/14
WEEK
8
Read Chapter 7
Chapter 7 Cultural Geography
Wed 10/16
Chapter 7
Interaction of People and
Environment
Mon 10/21
Read Chapter 7 (The Ghost Map)
Quiz #5
WEEK
9
Chapter 7 Cultural Geography
Wed 10/23
Mon 10/28
WEEK
10
Chapter 7
Religion
Read Chapter 8
Wed 10/30
Chapter 8
Migration
Globalization
Mon 11/4
Read Chapter 9
Wed 11/6
Chapter 9
Cooperation and Alliances
Mon 11/11
Read Chapter 10
Quiz #6
Quiz #7
Chapter 8 Spatial Interaction
WEEK
11
WEEK
Chapter 9 Political Geography
Quiz #8
Chapter 10 Economic Geography
12
Wed 11/13
Chapter 10
Commercial Agriculture
Quiz #9
Mon 11/18
No Class!! Thanksgiving Break
Wed 11/20
Mon 11/26
WEEK
13
Chapter 10 Economic Geography
Wed 11/28
Chapter 10
World Manufacturing
Mon 12/3
Read Chapter 11 (The Ghost Map)
Wed 12/5
Chapter 11
Systems of Cities
Mon 12/10
Read Chapter 12 (The Ghost Map)
Wed 12/12
Chapter 12
Impact through modification
WEEK
14
Chapter 11 An Urban World
WEEK
15
WEEK
16
Read Chapter 10 (The Ghost Map)
Wednesday
12/19
Quiz #10
Chapter 12 Human Impact on the Environment
Final Exam is Wednesday December 18 - 9:00am
Exam will include questions generated from The Ghost Map
Attendance and Grading Policies:
 Correlation between good grade, participation, and attendance
 Quiz over reading and lecture material (NO MAKEUPS)
 Extra credit may be available
 Mid-term and semester final exams
Student Responsibility:
Students are expected to maintain high standards of academic conduct and integrity. A
student may be subject to disciplinary action for acts of academic dishonesty. Please refer
to and be cognizant of the Student Handbook’s contents.
LCSC Student Handbook Code of Conduct
http://www.lcsc.edu/osl/SHB/SHBcodeofconduct.htm
Information about college policy on adds, drops, and withdraws is available at:
http://www.lcsc.edu/registrar/
Information about important dates is available at:
http://www.lcsc.edu/registrar/AcademicCalendars/
You, the student, are responsible for your own education/learning. The assigned material
is to be read before coming to class and information presented should be reviewed before
the next class. Any problems of comprehension or organization should be immediately
discussed with me during class if appropriate, or during office hours, or at other times by
arrangement.
Syllabus Addendum
Consumer Information
In 2008, the federal government required all post-secondary institutions offering federal financial
aid programs to provide key data to both prospective and current students. To comply with this
requirement, Lewis-Clark State College has developed a consumer information page, which
may be accessed at http://www.lcsc.edu/studentconsumerinformation/
Disability Accommodations
Students requiring special accommodations or course adaptations due to a disability and/or a
health-related issue should consult their course instructors and the LCSC Student Counseling
Center immediately (RCH 111, 792-2211). Official documentation may be required in order to
provide an accommodation and/or adaptation.
Student Rights and Responsibilities
Students have the responsibility for knowing their program requirements, course requirements,
and other information associated with their enrollment at LCSC. Students should review the
LCSC General Catalog (http://www.lcsc.edu/catalog/) and the LCSC Student Handbook
(available at http://www.lcsc.edu/studentservices/contactus.htm ) for more information.
Accidents/Student Insurance
Students participating in LCSC classes normally must look to their personal health insurance
policy (Student Health Insurance Plan or comparable private coverage) should an accident
occur. In the event of an accident, please seek medical help, if necessary, and report the
incident to LCSC Security (792-2226). Fieldtrips or other special student activities may also
require students to submit a signed participation waiver (forms can be obtained from the
supporting Division Office).
Enrollment Verification/Attendance
Students who are not actively pursuing their classes may have to repay part or all of their
financial aid awards depending upon the circumstances.
Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty, which includes cheating and plagiarism, is not tolerated at LCSC.
Individual faculty members will impose their own policies and sanctions regarding academic
dishonesty. Students who are accused of being academically dishonest may be referred to the
VP for Student Affairs for official disciplinary action.
Illegal File Sharing
Students using LCSC’s computers and/or computer network must comply with the college’s
appropriate use policies and are prohibited from illegally downloading or sharing data files of
any kind. Specific information about the college’s technology policies and its protocols for
combating illegal file sharing may be found on the VP for Student Affairs’ web page
(http://www.lcsc.edu/studentservices/).
Diversity Vision Statement
Regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or sexual
orientation, you will be treated and respected as a human being. http://www.lcsc.edu/culturaldiversity/