GGS 102 – 01 Physical Geography
MWF 12:30 – 1:20, August 29 – December 20, 2011
Art and Design Building (AB), Room 2003
Instructor Information
Aisha Haynes, M.S.
Office: Research Hall, Room 256D
Email: areed9@gmu.edu
Office Hours: Thursday 3:00 – 4:00 pm, or by appointment
Course Description and Objectives
This is an introductory course to physical geography. It introduces the basic concepts and
fundamentals of the Earth system. The course will cover earth‐sun relations, weather, climate, soils,
vegetation, geology, and landforms; and introduce the student to types and uses of maps. Physical
characteristics of the earth system will be the focus.
The course will be delivered through lectures. Students are expected to achieve the following
through this course.
1. Build up vocabulary and basic concepts of understanding the physical aspects of the Earth
system.
2. Understand the basic methods and technologies that are adopted in geography to study the
Earth.
3. Adopt basic geographic skills in analyzing and interpreting the physical phenomena and their
distribution.
Course Resources
Required Textbook: Fundamentals of Physical Geography, 1st Edition (2011), James Petersen,
Dorothy Sack, Robert E. Gabler; Textbook ISBN-10: 0-538-73463-9
Website: http://www.physicalgeography.net
Grading: The student’s final grade is based from at home assignments, in-class assignments,
attendance, two exams, and the final.
Attendance: If you arrive to class 10 minutes late, points will be taken away from attendance.
In-class: Quizzes, short answer questions, etc. In class assignments will not be made up
Homework: Students are expected to work on these individually
Exams: Multiple-choice format. Students must bring a number 2 pencil and scan-tron sheets
In-Class Assignments (15%) & Attendance (5%)
Homework
Exams (2 exams and a final)
20%
20%
60%
University Policies Academic regulations and procedures are governed by University policy.
Academic dishonesty cases will be handled in accordance the University's policies. If you have a
disability that could affect your performance in this class or that requires an accommodation under
the Americans with Disabilities Act, please see me as soon as possible so that we can make
appropriate arrangements.
Academic Integrity: http://academicintegrity.gmu.edu/
Disability Services: http://ods.gmu.edu
Week of
August 29
September 5
Monday, Labor Day – No class
September 12
September 19
September 26
October 3
October 10
Monday’s class will meet on
Tuesday
October 17
October 24
October 31
November 7
November 14
November 21
November 28
December 5
December 12
Tentative Course Schedule
Topic
Chapter
Intro to Physical Geography, Logistics
1
Earth Shape, Lat/Long, Geographic grid
2
Maps & Map Projections
2
Earth-Sun Relationship
1,3
Earth’s Atmosphere
3
Temperature
3
Temperature
3
Atmospheric Pressure
4
Atmospheric Pressure
4
Wind Systems
4
Water
5
Moisture & Precipitation
5
Air Masses & Fronts
6
Weather Systems
6
Meteorological Maps & Review
First Exam
No Class
Exam Review, Ocean Currents
4
Climate Classification
7
Low latitude climates
7
Mid-latitude climates
7
Mid-latitude climates
8
High latitude climates
8
Arid climates
7
Biogeography
9
Soils
9
Soil Development
9
Exam
Exam Review, Earth’s Planetary Structure 10
Rock Types
10
Plate Tectonics
10
Intro Geomorphology/Landforms
11
Volcanism
11
Volcanism
11
Diastrophism
11
Earthquakes
11
Thanksgiving Break – November 23 - 25
Weathering, gravity as erosional agent
12
Karst, running water landforms
13
Water systems
14
Running water landforms
14
Wind, arid landscapes
15
Glacial Systems and Landforms
16
Physical Geography Topics
Physical Geography Topics
Physical Geography Topics