Course Syllabus

Summer 2024 | GEO-1010-VO01 - Introduction to Geography

Online Class

Online courses take place 100% online via Canvas, without required in-person or Zoom meetings.

Faculty

Steve Farrow
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Philip Crossman

General Education Requirements

VSCS Social Sciences

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

This introductory course examines the four traditions of geography: the earth science tradition, the culture-environment tradition, the locational tradition, and the area analysis tradition. Topics include landforms, weather and climate, the human impact on the environment, world cultures, populations, spatial interactions, political geography, economic geography, and urban geography.

Essential Objectives

1. Explain geomorphological processes involved in formation of the world's major physical features including oceans, mountain ranges, deserts, and rivers.
2. Describe the complex interrelationships that exist between these geographical phenomena, weather patterns, and biological communities.
3. Examine the influence of geographical features on the patterns and dynamics of human settlement and cultural adaptation.
4. Explore historical, social, and economic uses that human populations have made of natural resources and the impact these activities have had upon the natural landscape and overall well-being of the earth.
5. Examine the influence of culture, politics, and economics on human spatial interaction.
6. Use various types of maps (e.g., physical, political, thematic, socio-cultural) to illustrate and interpret important natural and human geographical features and the interaction of these over time and place.
7. Examine how geography has played a role in cultural and environmental diversity at the local, regional and global level.
8. Apply research and statistical analysis to interpretation of geographical information.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

This course uses one or more textbooks/books/simulations.

Summer 2024 textbook details will be available on 2023-11-06. On that date a link will be available below that will take you to eCampus, CCV's bookstore. The information provided there will be specific to this class. Please see this page for more information regarding the purchase of textbooks/books.

GEO-1010-VO01 Link to Textbooks for this course in eCampus.

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.

Artificial Intelligence(AI) Policy Statement

CCV recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI tools are widely available and becoming embedded in many online writing and creative applications.

Integrated: This course's generative AI policy acknowledges the use of AI is an essential skill in today's world. By using genAI for specific purposes, students become equipped with relevant skills and tools necessary to thrive in a technology-driven society. Emphasizing the mastery of generative AI should empower you to harness its potential, enhancing your problem-solving abilities and preparing you for future challenges and opportunities. Be aware, however, that any time generative AI is used at any point in the assignment without attribution it may be considered a violation of CCV's Academic Integrity Policy.

In your written assignments, I do not expect to see the use of words or ideas from other entities, such as GenAI. You may wish to use AI as a brainstorming tool. Generative AI can help spark and refine ideas and/or provide examples that jumpstart projects or writing assignments. Use AI as a "thought partner". You can use it for examples and ideas on a topic or question to get started. GenAI shouldn't generate written content for an assignment, you must be the author.

Methods

You may contact me anytime. Canvas Messaging or VSCS email are best. ssf01290@ccv.vsc.edu.

The main goal in this course is to provide each student with a clearer view of the world we live in.

Please be sure you have access to reliable, hi-speed Internet every week of the course. Your computer systems should support Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, et al.). This is not a course that can be completed using a cellphone. Microsoft Office can be downloaded for free through VSC IT support.

Access electronically or in print to a quality atlas of the world would be beneficial.

This is a 12 week “intensive” summer semester. Expect a larger workload in some weeks, especially weeks 3, 5, and 10.

This is an entirely online course. Both the students and the instructor are responsible for securing access to the internet for the full semester. What this means is that computer issues, internet outages, and the like will not excuse you from any due dates. We should all expect to utilize tech problem solving skills, CCV computer labs, local libraries, etc. It will be difficult to complete aspects of this course using only a cellphone.

Please make sure you are ready for an online class by consulting with your adviser and taking this short assessment: http://ccv.edu/find/center-for-online-learning/ready-online-learning/Links to an external site.

For the first few weeks there will be a variety of introductory activities. Try to spread-out the workload. Consider the textbook requirements, reading, assignments, quizzes, etc. For each lesson there are usually redundant sets of instructions. Regardless, if things do not seem to be clear please do not hesitate to ask questions of me early on and anytime during this course. ssf01290@ccv.vsc.edu

Course Summary

• Post at least three times weekly in discussions (first post due Thursday).

• Read one textbook chapter per week and complete the text-based quizzes.

• Complete all online assignments.

• Complete the midterm exam.

• Complete the final project.

• Complete the final exam.

Evaluation Criteria

Discussion grading rubric (1st posts always due Thursday evening):

The words and ideas in all of your posts to the Discussions must be your own words (or properly cited) and not generated by GenAI.

98+ points - The original post was submitted early on, and two or more responses were completed within the week, allowing ample time for others to reply. You are the leader. This discussion is a response to the question(s) posed by the instructor or other students in each week's discussion prompt. It features original ideas and analysis. It includes evidence that shows all readings / viewing are complete and that support those ideas. You may have included new questions or new threads. The use of extra resources from research is evident (quotes, illustrations, maps, charts – all cited). This is a superior post.

88+ points - The original post was submitted on time and at least two responses were completed within the week, allowing others sufficient time to reply. This discussion post responds to the questions posed by the instructor in the week's discussion prompt, and information from other students. It includes evidence that all readings / viewing are complete and utilizes outside resources. The post was very good.

80+ points - The original post was submitted, and responses were completed within the week, but later (insufficient response time was allowed). The contributions were more brief than what the topic prompted. This discussion post responds to the prompt and includes some evidence that all readings/viewing are complete, however, responses are little more than attempts to agree or disagree. The post may not have used outside resources. The post was sufficient only.

78 points - This is the maximum possible score if there is only one additional response after the original post in a discussion.

70+ points - The original post is late or has fewer than the required responses submitted within the week. There was not enough response time allowed. There was no focus on the readings, research, or other posts. There is an attempt to participate, but not enough attention to composition, thought, or analysis was given. No outside resources were utilized. The post was substandard.

68 points - This the maximum possible score if there are no additional responses after the original post in a discussion.

60+ points - Nominal participation, incomplete, late responses, and/or poorly written with little or no analysis. No outside resources were utilized. The post was poorly completed.

0-59 points - Irrelevant to the topic; poor work, little participation, no outside resources were used, and/or the post was not submitted.

I believe that assessments like the quizzes on textbook chapters can also be a very useful teaching tool. The quiz format in this course utilizes this premise. Assessments are valuable teaching tools and should be seen as such.

Grade weighting:

· Posts to Discussions: 24%

· Assignments: 24%

· Textbook Quizzes: 22%

· Midterm: 10%

· Final Project Choice: 10%

· Final Exam: 10%

Grading standards:

A+ to A- (90% or higher): For work to receive an "A" it must clearly be excellent work. The student will demonstrate very good comprehension, insight, excellent thinking, and attention to detail. It will also demonstrate full understanding of the topics or issues addressed. In addition, an "A" grade reflects a student's ability to clearly and thoughtfully articulate his or her learning. An “A+” is exceptional or outstanding work.

B+ to B- (80-89%): For any work to receive a "B" it must be very good work. It must demonstrate comprehension, very good thinking, and detail. In addition, a "B" grade reflects a student's ability to clearly articulate his or her learning.

C+ to C- (70-79%): For any work to receive a "C," it must meet the expectations of the assignment. It must demonstrate comprehension, good thinking, and some details. In addition, a "C" grade reflects a student's ability to adequately articulate his or her learning.

D+ to D- (60-69%): For any work to receive a "D" it must meet the minimum expectations of the assignment. It demonstrates minimal comprehension, critical thinking, and attention to detail. In addition, a "D" grade may reflect a student's difficulty in articulating his or her learning.

F (59% or lower): Work that receives an "F" grade does not meet the expectations or objectives of the assignment. It demonstrates consistent problems with comprehension, organization, critical thinking, and supporting details. In addition, an "F" grade reflects a student's inability to articulate his or her learning. There was little or no completion of assignments. Students are strongly urged to discuss this grade with their instructor and adviser.

P: Is equivalent to D (+/-) or better and therefore, the course will not count as credit for specific program requirements or competence area requirements.

NP: Indicates a failure to meet course objectives and/or failure to meet grading criteria for successful completion as described in the instructor's course description.

Late work is handled in each case. Please know that as a rule I do not accept late work beyond a week of the due date. If you have a personal emergency, please contact me by email or message.ssf01290@ccv.vsc.edu

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

General Participation

Please try to follow the calendar and recognize that there is meant to be a "flow" to the lessons. Complete lessons as indicated and in a timely manner. The quizzes and exams do require reading from the text and some prior classwork completion as well. I recognize we all have busy lives and schedules outside of this course, so even more of a reason to stay tuned-in. If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. Any work completed early in the week is always helpful as well. I reserve the right to edit the course description, syllabus, and calendar slightly as the course progresses should our class situation (or world events) warrant.

Please complete the online quizzes, discussions, assignments, projects, and exams on your own using only your own resources. Those include the textbook, notes, previous work, and your own knowledge and information — and only those resources. Utilize assistance from the instructor and other college resources, i.e. tutorial services, college writing centers, etc. Please do not use AI generated writing in your assignments.

This course requires your participation and contributions. For that reason, your “presence” in the different Canvas discussions is paramount to your success in this course and for attendance. Remember the course runs Tuesday through Monday at 12:00 midnight. Expect the amount of work to be serious, but not overwhelming. You will be reading and writing every week and should really work to stay current (or perhaps even ahead) of the reading in order to be successful. All assignments are outlined in the course calendar, so you should be able to plan around any significant busy times in your personal schedule. First Discussion post is due by Thursday evening. The week must be completed before the end of the day on Monday to be considered submitted on time.

I will try to visit my classroom every day. I will try to reply to emails, messages, and discussions within 48 hours of your writing. I will post grades at the week's end. I will grade discussions and other assignments after all students have submitted work or at the end of the school week. I will post those grades as soon as possible thereafter. Quizzes, exams, and some other assignments are graded immediately upon completion.

Additional Thoughts on GenAI

In your written assignments, I do not expect to see the use of words or ideas from other entities, such as GenAI. You may wish to use AI as a brainstorming tool. Generative AI can help spark and refine ideas and/or provide examples that jumpstart projects or writing assignments. Use AI as a "thought partner". You can use it for examples and ideas on a topic or question to get started. GenAI shouldn't generate written content for an assignment, you must be the author.

Participation in the Discussions

Discussions are the heart of our class meeting times and all are required. I expect timely and substantive posts to the discussion. I will ask that you post three times in each discussion — once before the end of the day on Thursday and then at least twice more — for three (or more) total. The first post should also be substantial — well-thought, well-written, and researched (the text, Internet sources, quotes, illustrations, maps, etc.). The scoring rubric is included below in the Evaluation Criteria. All of your responses should demonstrate your own thinking and a high level of analysis. Kudos or compliments are appropriate, of course, but you are expected to go beyond that and avoid simple replies such as, “Yes, I agree.” Remember, you are not evaluating or "grading" other student’s work. Your contributions to the discussions should be substantive, detailed, and benefit everyone.

A good discussion creates a set of class meetings and discourse. If you find questions to be forced or insufficient, just like me, you can change the tone, tenor, or direction of the discourse. Post your own questions or advance the discussion with a new thread. In each discussion, please remember to “post early and often!” Discussion forums require its members to act with honesty and fairness, and to uphold the standards associated with learning, inquiry and civil discourses, such as acknowledging the contributions of other people or entities. Please do not use AI generated writing in your posts. Please cite your sources. In the words of the Director of Online Learning (Jennifer Alberico), “If these are not your own words, you need to attribute the source.”

Missing & Late Work Policy

I will need to be firm with deadlines – for both your benefit and mine. However, since we are all adults with busy personal lives, in an emergency, a message or email before work is due is more likely to result in a positive outcome for both of us. Make-up work will then be arranged and completed through the instructor. Late or incomplete work will be marked down or graded for completion only — at the instructor's discretion.

ssf01290@ccv.vsc.edu

The first Discussion post of the week is always due on Thursday evening. If not submitted students will be marked tardy and last posts will impact your grade in the Discussions.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity