Download Course Outline Template Word Document

Metropolitan Community College
COURSE OUTLINE FORM
(Page 1 of 5)
Course Title:
Introduction to Physical Geography-Landforms
Course Prefix & No.:
LEC: LAB:
Credit Hours:
GEOG 1160
5
3
6
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This lecture and lab course examines the physical processes that shape and reshape the face of the
earth. The course introduces geomorphic forces that work from within the earth to create landforms and to processes that operate at the
earth's surface to wear landforms away. It gives considerable attention to the fact that many of the processes that create or destroy
landforms also constitute natural hazards with which human societies must contend. College-level reading skills are recommended for
success in this course.
COURSE PREREQUISITE (S): none
RATIONALE:
The surface of the earth undergoes nearly constant physical alteration. Often, the processes producing surficial change work so slowly
and steadily as to go unnoticed. At other times, those changes can be abrupt and cause significant disruption to human activities. This
course explores geomorphology and geomorphic processes. Particular attention is given to instances in which geomorphic processes
pose hazards for human beings.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK (S) and/or MATERIALS:






TITLE: McKnight's Physical Geography (w/BindIn Access)
AUTHOR: Hess
EDITION: MCC Custom Edition
COPYRIGHT YEAR: 2017
PUBLISHER: Pearson Education
ISBN: 9781323465653






TITLE: McKnight's Physical Geography (LAB MAN)
AUTHOR: Hess
EDITION:12th
COPYRIGHT YEAR: 2017
PUBLISHER: Pearson Education
ISBN: 9780134561011
Attached course outline written by: Harold Hornbeck
Date: 5/20/96
Reviewed/Revised by: Victoria Alapo, Dennis Smith, Michelle Todd
Date: 08/16
Effective quarter of course outline: 16/FA
Date:
Academic Dean: Jane Franklin
Date: 9/23/16
Course Objectives, Topical Unit Outlines, and Unit Objectives must be attached to this form.
AAO Revised 3-13-01
Metropolitan Community College
COURSE OUTLINE FORM
(Page 2 of 5)
TITLE: Introduction to Physical Geography- Landforms
PREFIX/NO: GEOG 1160
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Explain the origins of the earth, its size, shape, motions and relationship to the sun and the other planets
of the solar system.
2. Accurately interpret maps, including topographic maps.
3. Identify the operational characteristics of ecosystems, and the basic factors that control the distribution
of plants and animals on earth.
4. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of plate tectonics, vulcanism, and diastrophism, and of the role
these internal geographic forces play in the creation of both landforms and natural hazards.
5. Describe both the operation and the effects of the external geomorphic processes, including weathering,
mass wasting, and erosion.
TOPICAL UNIT OUTLINE/UNIT OBJECTIVES:
I.
Introduction to Earth
A. Geography as a Field of Learning
B. Environmental Spheres
C. Solar Systems
D. Size and Shape of Earth
E. Geographic Grid
F. Earth Movements
G. Annual March of the Seasons
H. Telling Time
II.
Portraying the Earth
A. Nature of Maps
B. Globes
C. Map Projections
D. Automated Cartography
E. Isolines
F. Global Positioning System
G. Geographic Information System
H. Remote Sensing
I. Role of the Geographer
III.
Terrestrial Flora and Fauna
A. Natural Distributions
B. Terrestrial Flora
C. Terrestrial Fauna
D. The Major Biomes
AAO Revised 3-13-01
Metropolitan Community College
COURSE OUTLINE FORM
(Page 3 of 5)
E. Human Modification of Natural Distribution Patterns
IV. Soils
A. Soil and Regolith
B. Soil Forming Factors
C. Soil Components
D. Soil Properties
E. Soil Chemistry
F. Soil Profiles
G. Pedogenic Regimes
H. Soil Classification
I. Global Distribution of Major Soils
V.
Landform Study
A. Unknown Interior
B. Crust Composition (Rocks)
C. Some Critical Concepts
D. Study of Landforms
E. Scale and Pattern
VI. Internal Processes
A. Crustal Rearrangement (Tectonics)
B. Vulcanism
C. Diastrophism
D. Complexities of Crustal Configuration
VII. Weathering and Mass Wasting
A. Weathering
B. Mass Wasting
VIII. Fluvial Processes
A. Fundamental Concepts
B. Stream Channels
C. Shaping and Reshaping of Valleys
D. Deposition in Valleys
E. Stream Rejuvenation
F. Theories of Landform Development
IX. Topography of Arid Lands
A. A Specialized Environment
B. Ergs, Regs and Hamadas
C. Running Water in Waterless Regions
D. The Work of Wind
E. Two Characteristic Desert Landform Assemblages
II. Coastal Processes and Terrain
A. Coastal Processes
AAO Revised 3-13-01
Metropolitan Community College
COURSE OUTLINE FORM
(Page 4 of 5)
B. Coastal Landforms
X.
Solution Processes and Karst Topography
A. Solution and Precipitation
B. Caverns and Related Features
C. Karst Topography
D. Hydrothermal Features
XI. Glacial Modification of Terrain
A. Glaciations Past and Present
B. Types of Glaciers
C. How Glaciers Form
D. Continental Ice Sheets
E. Mountain Glaciers
F. Are We Still in and Ice Age
AAO Revised 3-13-01
Metropolitan Community College
COURSE OUTLINE FORM
(Page 5 of 5)
COURSE REQUIREMENTS/EVALUATION:
Upon completion of the objective for this course, each of the objectives will be assessed and measured as
follows:
COURSE OBJECTIVES/ASSESSMENT MEASURES
COURSE OBJECTIVES
ASSESSMENT MEASURES
1. Explain the origins of the earth, its size, shape,
motions and relationship to the sun and the other
planets of the solar system.
Objective exams
Lab exercises
2. Accurately interpret maps, including topographic
maps.
Objective exams
Lab exercises
3. Identify the operational characteristics of
ecosystems, and the basic factors that control the
distribution of plants and animals on earth.
Objective exams
Lab exercises
4. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of plate
tectonics, vulcanism, and diastrophism, and of the role
these internal geographic forces play in the creation of
both landforms and natural hazards
Objective exams
Lab exercises
5. Describe both the operation and the effects of the
external geomorphic processes, including weathering,
mass wasting, and erosion.
Objective exams
Lab exercises
AAO Revised 3-13-01