Download Elements of Geography Common Course Outline Course

Elements of Geography
Common Course Outline
Course Information
Organization
Developers
Development Date
Course Number
Potential Hours of
Instruction
Total Credits
South Central College
Ray Schmidt
2/19/2011
GEOG 100
48
3
Description
The course will answer the question "What is Geography?" Therefore, this course provides students with
an introduction to the basic themes of geography. The scope and nature of geographic inquiry is used to
explore topics about the physical and human characteristics of the Earth's surface. Special emphasis is
placed on the significance of humans, environment, and cultural processes in the organization of space
on the earth's surface. Natural and cultural landscapes are very important components of this course and
students will examine physiographic regions, climates, demography, and urban areas. Also, different
environmental issues will be discussed. (MNTC 3: Natural Sciences; MNTC 10: People & the
Environment; Pre-requisite: Accuplacer Reading Comprehension Score of 78 or above or completion of
READ 0090)
Types of Instruction
Instruction Type
Lecture
Contact Hours
Credits
48
3
Prerequisites
Accuplacer Reading Comprehension Score of 78 or above or completion of READ0090.
Exit Learning Outcomes
Institutional Core Competencies
A.
B.
C.
Communication
Critical Thinking
Global Citizenship
Program Outcomes
A.
Goal Area 3: Natural Sciences Goals: To improve students' understanding of natural science
principles and of the methods of scientific inquiry, i.e., the ways in which scientists investigate
natural science phenomena. As a basis for lifelong learning, students need to know the vocabulary
of science and to realize that while a set of principles has been developed through the work of
previous scientists, ongoing scientific inquiry and new knowledge will bring changes in some of the
ways scientists view the world. By studying the problems that engage today's scientists, students
learn to appreciate the importance of science in their lives and to understand the value of a scientific
perspective. Students should be encouraged to study both the biological and physical sciences.
Student competencies: Students will be able to: o Demonstrate understanding of scientific theories.
o Formulate and test hypotheses by performing laboratory, simulation, or field experiments in at
B.
least two of the natural science disciplines. One of these experimental components should develop,
in greater depth, students' laboratory experience in the collection of data, its statistical and graphical
analysis, and an appreciation of its sources of error and uncertainty. o Communicate their
experimental findings, analyses, and interpretations both orally and in writing. o Evaluate societal
issues from a natural science perspective, ask questions about the evidence presented, and make
informed judgments about science-related topics and policies.
Goal Area 10: People & the Environment Goal: To improve students' understanding of today's
complex environmental challenges. Students will examine the inter-relatedness of human society
and the natural environment. Knowledge of both bio-physical principles and socio-cultural systems
is the foundation for integrative and critical thinking about environmental issues. Student
competencies: Students will be able to: o Explain the basic structure and function of various natural
ecosystems and of human adaptive strategies within those systems. o Discern patterns and
interrelationships of bio-physical and socio-cultural systems. o Describe the basic institutional
arrangements (social, legal, political, economic, and religious) that are evolving to deal with
environmental and natural resource challenges. o Evaluate critically environmental and natural
resource issues in light of understandings about interrelationships, ecosystems, and institutions
propose and assess o Alternative solutions to environmental problems. o Articulate and defend the
actions they would take on various environmental issues
Competencies
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Explain the various types of maps used as tools in geography.
Learning Objectives
a. Demonstrate an understanding of how map projections are created and the concept of
scale.
b. Describe the uses for both topographic and thematic maps and the symbols they use.
c. Discuss an overview of Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing Systems.
Demonstrate the regional concept as a key method for geographic studies.
Learning Objectives
a. Characterize how landforms, climate, and natural resources make up regions in the earthscience tradition.
b. Describe how language, population, and politics make up regions in the cultureenvironment tradition.
c. Define urban regions.
Describe how landforms are created by tectonic forces, weathering, and erosion.
Learning Objectives
a. Discuss the basic earth materials of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.
b. Explain how tectonic forces result in volcanism and deformation of the Earth's crust.
c. Demonstrate an understanding of long-term effects of mechanical and chemical weathering
on landforms.
d. Investigate the effects of water and wind that cause erosion and deposition.
Distinguish between weather and climate.
Learning Objectives
a. Summarize the weather components of air temperature, pressure, and movement.
b. State the impact of ocean currents on climate.
c. Explain how climate, soils, and vegetation are linked.
d. Identify the primary characteristics of tropical, dryland, humid, and arctic climates.
e. Define the greenhouse effect and its impact on global warming.
Identify the nonrenewable and renewable natural resources.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Learning Objectives
a. Discuss the primary nonrenewable resources: oil, coal, natural gas, and nuclear.
b. Be aware of the renewable resources: biomass, hydropower, solar, and wind.
Demonstrate the impact of human population growth on the earth.
Learning Objectives
a. Outline the common population definitions: birth rate, death rate, natural increase, and
doubling times.
b. Discuss population density around the world and review population data and projections.
c. Investigate population control methods and how they are being used in various countries.
Define spatial interaction and how this applies to diffusion, migration, and globalization.
Learning Objectives
a. Demonstrate an understanding of how distance and barriers impact spatial interaction.
b. Explain how ideas spread out from its point of origin to new territories.
c. Describe the types of migration and list common incentives and barriers to migration.
d. Discuss the modern economic, political, and cultural factors that contribute to globalization.
Demonstrate an understanding of political, economic, and urban geography.
Learning Objectives
a. Illustrate the geographic characteristics of states to include the historical impact of
boundaries.
b. Investigate the primary economic activities of agriculture, fishing, forestry, and mining.
c. Define the common elements of urban areas, such as city centers, suburbanization, and
land use models.
Explain the human impact on the environment.
Learning Objectives
a. Provide examples of the human impact on water, including usage, pollution, and
agriculture.
b. Demonstrate an understanding of the factors affecting air quality and explain the
importance of the ozone layer.
c. Discuss human impact on plants and animals, such habitat disruption, commercial
exploitation, and exotic and endangered species.