Slash and burn agriculture, Finca Monte Alto, Guatemala, May, 1970

Prerequisite:  None

Description:  Natural resources of the earth and the human use of these
   materials.  The emphasis will be on changes to the natural environment as use of the earth's
   resources has increased.

Objective:  To give the student an appreciation of the natural
   environment so that its deterioration can be minimized.

Instructor:  Dr. Gene J. Paull
 
 

Office:	M-0, Rppm 112a, SETB 2.554
Office hrs.	2:00-4:00 PM, M,T,Th; 4:00-5:00 PM, T,Th; 5:45-7:00 PM, W
E-mail	paullgj@utb.edu
Home page	http://blue.utb.edu/paullgj

Textbook:

        2002      Marsh and Grossa, Environmental Geography:  Landuse, and Earth Systems.  New
                          York, John Wiley.

Grade Information:

4 exams - 400 pts.
Semester project - 100 pts
Presentations -       100 pts

Total = 600 points

A = 540, B = 480, C = 420, D = 360

Attendance:

Attendance will not be taken; however, you are responsible for all material covered in class.  I am INFLEXIBLE with regards to make-up tests.  Prior arrangements have to be made.
 

VIRTUAL RESERVE ROOM!

Click here on reserve room to find valuable course information.  There will be an old exam file, notes, and geography links.

Important dates:

Last day to withdraw with a W - Friday, April 4, 2003
Final exam - Wednesday, April 30, 2003, 8:00 PM

Syllabus statement on disabilities:

Students with disabilities, including learning disabilities, who wish to request academic adjustments in
this class should notify the Disability Services Office early in the semester so that the appropriate
accommodations may be made.  In accordance with federal law, a student requesting academic adjustments must provide documentation of his/her disability to the Disability Services counselor.  For more information, call or visit the Counseling Center at Tandy 205 (956-544-8292).

 1.   Geography of location, pp. 1-23

Map location
Geographic grid
Map projections
Fields of geography

 2.    History of civilizations, pp. 24-43, 44-61

Human evolution
Development of civilization
Environmental zones

 3.    Energy systems of the earth, pp. 62-80

 Structure of the earth
 Crust of the earth - composition
 Plate tectonics
 Minerals and mineral formation
 Plate tectonics

 4.    Biogeography, pp. 81-103

Ecosystems
Human impact on ecosystems

 5.    Population demography, pp. 106-130

Distribution of world population
The Demographic Transition

 6.    Food production and agricultural systems, pp. 131-158

Adaptation
Subsistence agriculture
Mechanized agriculture

 7.  Soils and agriculture, pp. 312-335

 Weathering and soil formation
 Natural vegetation
 Desertification and famine
 Slash and burn agriculture and deforestation

 8.    Energy use, pp. 159-186

Energy sources
Fossil fuels
Nuclear energy

 9.    Meteorology, pp. 187-209

Factors of weather
Global heat balance

10.    Air pollution and climate change, pp. 210-236

Meteorological factors of air pollution
Types of air pollution
Climate change
Ozone
Greenhouse effect and global warming
Urban heat island

10.   The earth’s water resources, pp. 237-263

 Hydrologic system
 Running water
 Groundwater
 Human impact on the hydrologic system

11.    Water pollution, pp. 264-287

Type of water pollution
Rivers, lakes
The oceans

12.    Hazardous waste disposal, pp. 288-311

Hazardous materials
Waste disposal
Geology and pollution
Treatment of hazardous wastes