Geography at the college level moves beyond the study of state capitals or mountain ranges that you may have encountered in grade school. Then you probably learned a catalog of facts about the world, but little about how the facts fit together. Yet a description of the earth is only the beginning of the study of geography. Geographers want to know where things are and why they are there. Geographers try to understand the relationships among elements of the physical and cultural environment and how the elements vary spatially. They use certain questions, certain methods of investigating problems, and a variety of intellectual tools to explain the location of thins. The most familiar tool is the map, but today's geographers also use intricate statistical models. 

In a way, we are all geographers. From the time we could crawl, we began exploring the space around us. By the time we became adults, we had acquired a considerable amount of data about the world. Now, the discipline of geography offers you a more particular way of looking at the world. This course tries to convey the geographic viewpoint. The goal of this course is to help you discover the field of physical geography and to help you remember facts and understand concepts that can be applied to your own experience.

This course is based on a text, an optional study guide and a topographic map. You are required to read and study 15 Chapters and one Appendix of the text. You are required to complete two graded surveys, two graded exercises, 15 chapter quizzes (online), participate in discussion forums, one topographic map exercise, submit online three current event articles, and complete one project/research paper. You are also required to take four exams.

If you do well in this course, you will be able to:

• You will know what physical geography is and what it entails.
• You will understand gravity, earth rotation and revolution, and the geographic grid, and be able to demonstrate the advantages, disadvantages and concepts for various map projections. 
• You will understand the earth's radiation balance, cycle of atmospheric moisture and cloud formation. 
• You will demonstrate an appreciation for the earth's water resources. 
• You will be able to name and define the three major rock classes. 
• You will understand the composition of the earth's interior and be able to discuss the theory of plate tectonics. 
• You will be able to differentiate between physical and chemical weathering and their effects on the earth's surface and identify landforms made by running water, wind, and ice.

The textbooks for this course are:

• Physical Geography, A Landscape Appreciation. 9th ed. McKnight and Hess. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey:  Pearson Prentice Hall, 2008. (REQUIRED)
   
• Study Guide to Physical Geography, A Landscape Appreciation, 9th ed. McKnight and Hess. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey:  Pearson Prentice Hall, 2008. (OPTIONAL)  

For information on how to order your textbooks, go to http://eli.nvcc.edu/books/

Call before going to a campus bookstore to make sure the materials are in stock. If you don't see what you need, ask for assistance. Each bookstore has a separate section for ELI courses. Print this page and take it with you to avoid confusion.

Additional materials for this course are:

• Harrisonburg, Virginia 1:24,000 7.5 minute topographic quadrangle with a STOCK NUMBER: TVA0397 (REQUIRED) This is not purchased through the bookstore. You can purchase it on line at http://store.usgs.gov/, or at the USGS office, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA 20192.

Your course grade will be determined by the survey, quizzes, homework, projects, map exercise, forums, and exams, according to the following points:

There are 4 proctored exams in this course. You are expected to take your examinations at one of the NVCC campus Testing Centers. Be sure to allow enough time to complete your exam before the Testing Center closes; Testing Centers have specific policies relating to the administration of ELI exams. You will need to take a photo ID, your NovaConnect empl ID number, and the appropriate Exam Pass when you go to the Testing Center.  

For Testing Center locations, hours of operation and policies, click here.

For information on taking exams outside of the metropolitan area, click here.

I am here to help you succeed in this course. Occasionally questions or problems may arise. Here is how to contact me when they do:

E-mail : bfye@nvcc.edu

1. Use your web browser to connect to http://www.nvcc.edu/bbstart. Follow the directions to determine your email, Blackboard and VIVA account user names and passwords.
2. Access your email account and make sure you know how to use it; you will be required to use this account for all course-related email.
3. Log on to Blackboard at http://learn.vccs.edu.
4. Click on this course under "My Courses." Review the entire course to make sure you understand what will be required of you. Then start completing the assignments.

Please note that account generation takes approximately one week from the time of your paid registration. If you cannot log on after one week, contact the IT Help Desk. If you can log on to Blackboard, but your course isn't listed, please contact ELI or your instructor.