1.2 - Course Syllabus and Mechanics

To-Do Date: Jan 27 at 8:00am

Hello Geographers!

Please make sure to read the Syllabus for this Course. Reading this page is not a substitute for reading the Syllabus.

 

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Canvas

If you haven't already done so, I encourage you to go through Units 0.1 and 0.2. They will introduce you to the Canvas platform and to how the different Tools in Canvas work. These Units will be available throughout the semester for you to refer to, should you have any difficulty with Canvas. If you have quick questions you can also try the course Q & A Forum.  A central source of Canvas Information is available here:  How to Canvas! Links to an external site.

Geography 4 Class Structure

This course is an asynchronous, online course.This means that there are no required live class sessions.  We will be using the Module or Unit format to move through this Course.  Each Unit will include some or all of the following:

• an Overview of the Unit and a list of assignments, discussions, quizzes and exams that are required in that Unit
• Each Page will start with an Instructor video lecture. Watch it!!! These are mandatory
• Each Page will contain written text and may include other relevant videos. This replaces a textbook and is mandatory
• Some pages may include Tutorials . Watch them! They are mandatory!
• There will be frequent Homework Assignments. They are mandatory. Do them!!
• There will be occasional Discussion Activities. They are mandatory. Do them!!!
• There will be frequent short Quizzes. These are mandatory. Take them!!!
• A summary of the Unit which will also be a study guide for Unit Exams. Study this!!!
• Each Unit will have a  Unit Exam (except Unit 1). This is mandatory. Take it!!!

Due dates for all graded and extra credit assignments, discussions, quizzes and exams will be clear. I expect you to complete these activities by the due date.  Quizzes can not be made up and if you miss the due date for participating in a discussion, that can not be extended.  I may consider an extension for assignments and exams on a case-by-case basis. Please let me know ASAP if you will have trouble making the deadline for either an assignment or exam. 

Types of Assessment

Assignments- There will be frequent homework assignments in this course. These assignments will be worth between 10 and 25 points. Some of these assignments you will complete directly on Canvas, some you will submit a word document, and others you will be required to print out, complete and either scan or take a photo to turn in. If you do not have a scanner at home, there are free scanning apps for both iPhones and Android phones. iPhones have a built in scanning function that works well.

Discussions- Periodically, there will be required discussion activities. Your first discussion activity is the "Beam Me Up Scotty" discussion  in this Unit. These discussions will be worth 10 to 15 points.  Please contribute in thoughtful, coherent ways to these discussions. There is also an Extra Credit current events discussion I hope that all of you will take advantage of.

Quizzes - Each Unit (this unit is the exception) will have one or more quizzes that you will be required to take. These will be very brief - 5 to 10 points. They can be taken three times and your best score will be recorded. 

Unit Exams- These exams will cover all the material in the Unit including instructor video lectures, homework assignments,  written online text etc. They will be worth between 35 and 45  points each. This Unit does not have a Unit exam.

Communication

• I may have some optional live Zoom study sessions for exams .
• I will have live Zoom office hours  available Wednesdays starting 2/5.  Here is your Zoom Invitation: Office Hours Links to an external site. 
  Office hours are optional. If I will be unavailable for office hours or if there is a change in time and day, I will let you know in "Announcements". Attending at least one office hour will earn you extra credit points. If you can't make it to regular office hours contact me and we will make an appointment.
• I will use announcements to post reminders, due date changes, changes to my availability for the week, and other urgent messages. Please read them. They are required reading.
• I prefer to use the message function in Canvas  (Links to an external site). to communicate. I will, however, check my email regularly and may occasionally use email for announcements. 
• I may also be contacted at the following phone number, (707) 799-5172. This is a good option if you need to get ahold of me and we are experiencing PG&E blackouts or some other disruption to communication.

Textbooks