EARTH SCIENCE 455 - PHYSIOGRAPHY OF THE UNITED STATES

NOTE: If my office hours don't work for you, see me after class, by e-mail or just come on in if my office doors are open. 

Textbooks (On reserve):

• Graf, W. L. (ed.), 1987, Geomorphic Systems of North America. Geological Society of America, Centennial Special Volume 2, 643 p.
• Morrison, R. B. (ed.), 1991, Quaternary Nonglacial Geology: Conterminous U.S. Geological Society of America, Geology of North America Volume K-2, 670 p.
• Hunt, C. B., 1974, Natural Regions of the United States and Canada. W. H. Freeman, New York, 725 pp.
• Fenneman, N., 1931(8), Physiography of the Western (Eastern) United States. McGraw-Hill, New York.

NOTES:

• The National Atlas of the United States, available in the Reference area of Renne Library, is a great starting point for most characterizations of U. S. physiography!
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory has an intriguing Website devoted to the classification of Ecoregions - we will start (and probably end) there!

Format:

The term "physiography" is a contraction of "physical geography", which in turn refers to the present spatial distribution of earth-related characteristics and their interactions with human beings. Such characteristics include bedrock-related topography, surficial geology and geomorphic processes, weather and climate, soils and vegetation. This course examines those characteristics of the physiographic provinces, or natural regions, of the United States.

The final hour each week (F/M) will be devoted to a summary of the characteristics of each of the major physiographic regions. Readings from the books on reserve are obvious, as each of the volumes is organized by physiographic province. You MUST read from at least one of the books on reserve before the first class of the week in order to participate at the 4xx level.

The major learning tool will be individual presentations (ca. 30 minutes each) each class on aspects of the previously introduced province(s). Each presentation will be accompanied by a one-page handout, which will include:

• an abstract,
• a diagram, and
• one or more key references (see example).

Each course participant will be expected to critique one early presentation (see critique form). Each individual will be expected to take part in several presentations (the exact number will depend on course enrollment), thus this course may be considered a research seminar, at least in part.

Each participant will also generate a 5-10 page summary paper, which will include an abstract, figures and tables as necessary, and an appropriate bibliography (using Geology format; see especially the instructions regarding "Style").  The results of this investigation will be presented in the last two weeks of the course. The selection of an area and times of presentations will be yours, within each segment of the course and within the applicable physiographic provinces. Equally, the choice of a summary paper topic will be yours alone, within the scope of the course. 

The course grade will result from the presentations (35%) and critiques (5%), term projects (35%) and a final exam (25%).