Geography 201
Landform Geography
This course surveys basic concepts and vocabulary of Earth science thr
ough the study of physical geography. Concepts include the character, natural history, and physical processes at the Earth's surface. Lectures introduce basic features and actions of hydrology, soil science, and landforms. An appreciation of environmental change is emphasized; particularly beginning with the Pleistocene Epoch (Ice Ages) and through the beginning of Recent geologic time. Several geographic tools, including topographic maps, aerial photographs, satellite imagery, soil analysis, rocks and minerals, microscopy, and field-sampling techniques are introduced in lectures and labs. General concepts of scientific methodology are introduced, including hypothesis formulation and testing and the method of multiple working hypotheses. index.html
Course Mechanics [pdfs Require Acrobat Reader.]
Course Description - Fall 2017 (pdf)
Lecture Schedule Fall 2017 (pdf)
Grading Mechanics (see also Course Description pdf above)
Lab Introduction Fall 2017 (pdf)
Lab Schedule Fall 2017 (pdf)
Lab materials (html)
Learning Outcomes for Geography 201
External Materials (not required)
Google Earth Users Guide - A quick orientation to navigating on Google Earth; go there and click on 'Getting Around ' to find pictures and instructions.
Looking Glass Mtn., Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina; an exfoliation dome. These landforms are known locally as 'balds'.
Grading. Letter grades will be assigned based on the following tentative thresholds. Attainment of the following scores ensures the given grade, but lower point totals may be interpreted later to allow a higher letter grade based on ‘curving’; that is, based on an assessment of the performance of the entire group.
Point Distribution: Points % Grade
Laboratory 125 25
Lab Project 25 5
Three pop quizzes in lecture 30 6
Two Midterms 200 40
FinalExam 120 24
Total: 500 100
Points Letter Grade
450 - 500 A
435 - <450 B+
400 - <435 B
385 - <400 C+
350 - <385 C
335 - <350 D+
300 - <335 D
<300 F
Labs: All labs meet in Room 202 Callcott Building
Lab I: T 2:50pm – 4:40pm Tyler
Lab II: W 9:40am – 11:30am Huixuan
Lab III: W 12:00pm – 1:50pm Tyler
Lab IV: W 3:55pm – 5:45pm Chen-Ling
Lab Instructor Office Hours and Contacts:
Instructor Office Office hours* eMail
Tyler Dearman Rm 107 Wed. 2-4:00 tdearman@email.sc.edu
Peter Tereszkiewicz Rm 123 Wed. 4-5:00; Th 10-11:00 petert@email.sc.edu
*If office hours for your instructor do not fit your schedule, you may meet with another instructor or make an appointment with your instructor for another time.
Last Modified: Aug. 30, 2017 Allan James AJames@sc.edu