Course Description
Unveiling the Secrets of our Planet: A Comprehensive Geography Course
Have you ever wondered about the intricate patterns on a map, or pondered how magnificent mountains came to be? Dive into the captivating realm of geography and unravel the mysteries of our world with our meticulously designed Geography Course. Spanning eleven illuminating lessons, this course is set to transform your understanding of the Earth's myriad geographical wonders.
Why This Course is Crucial for You
The world is a vast tapestry of interwoven natural phenomena and human interventions. From the majesty of towering peaks to the precision of cartographical representations, the interplay between nature and humanity continually reshapes the world we inhabit. By exploring the foundational concepts of geography, you will attain a more profound appreciation of our world's complexities and gain the knowledge to contextualize global events, both natural and anthropogenic.
What You Will Learn
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Landforms and Their Origins - Differentiate between diverse landforms like islands, atolls, and peninsulas. Dive into the mechanisms behind their formation, from the colossal movement of tectonic plates to the gentle caresses of wind and water that mold our landscapes.
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Earth's Spheres and Their Interactions - Delve deep into the intricate web of Earth's spheres: the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. Learn how these distinct layers, each with its unique characteristics, intertwine to create the Earth's vibrant and dynamic systems.
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Maps and Human Perceptions - Maps are more than tools; they are mirrors reflecting cultural and experiential influences. Discover the intricacies of map-making, how humans have divided oceans for navigation and territorial claims, and how cultural perspectives can influence cartographic representations.
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Human Influence on Geography - The Earth's landscapes bear the imprints of millennia of human activity. From agriculture to urbanization, delve into how humanity has sculpted its environment, sometimes with unintended consequences.
Course Breakdown
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Lesson 1: What is Geography? - An introduction to the vast and intricate world of geography, setting the stage for the lessons to come.
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Lesson 2: Oceans, Rivers, and Lakes - Dive into the watery realms of our planet, understanding their formation, significance, and influence on global climate patterns.
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Lesson 3: Continents and Islands - Explore the large landmasses and the secluded islands, their formation, and their varied ecosystems.
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Lesson 4: Mountains and Valleys - Ascend to the peaks of the world's great ranges and descend into the serene valleys, understanding their formation and ecological importance.
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Lesson 5: How the Wind Affects Landforms - Delve into aeolian processes that shape deserts, dunes, and other wind-sculpted landscapes.
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Lesson 6: How Water Affects Landforms - From majestic waterfalls to vast floodplains, explore how water shapes our world.
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Lesson 7: Plate Tectonics - Unravel the science behind earthquakes, volcanoes, and the drifting continents.
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Lesson 8: The Effect of Plants and Animals on Landforms - Discover the symbiotic relationship between flora, fauna, and the landscapes they inhabit.
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Lesson 9: How People Affect the Geography of the Planet - Investigate the profound and often complex ways human activities reshape the Earth.
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Lesson 10: How People Divide the Planet - Delve into the politics, cultural influences, and historical events behind global divisions.
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Lesson 11: Using a Map - Equip yourself with the skills to decode maps, navigating the myriad symbols, scales, and projections.
Embarking on this Journey
At the culmination of this course, you won't merely see landscapes; you'll understand them. You won't just use maps; you'll appreciate the stories they tell. Equip yourself with a holistic understanding of our planet's physical and human stories and start seeing the world through a richer, more informed lens. Join us in this enlightening journey and let the world reveal its secrets to you!
- Completely Online
- Self-Paced
- 6 Months to Complete
- 24/7 Availability
- Start Anytime
- PC & Mac Compatible
- Android & iOS Friendly
- Accredited CEUs
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Learning Outcomes
- Define the fundamental differences between physical and human geography, including examples of how each branch impacts the environment and society.
- Identify and describe at least three major natural forces that shape Earth's surface, providing specific examples of landforms or phenomena created by these forces.
- Define the role of major ocean currents such as the Gulf Stream in influencing global climate patterns by examining their effects on temperature distribution.
- Describe how tectonic activities contribute to the formation of lakes and illustrate this with examples like Lake Baikal and Lake Tanganyika, focusing on their geographical impact.
- Define and explain the concept of lithosphere and its connection to the formation of continents and islands.
- Identify and distinguish between different global perspectives on the number of continents and their categorization, using cultural and geographical contexts.
- Define the processes of mountain formation through tectonic plate interactions, including collision and subduction processes.
- Describe the role of glaciers in shaping mountain and valley landscapes, highlighting the formation of U-shaped valleys.
- Define the process of deflation and its impact on landforms by identifying how wind erodes surface materials, exposing bedrock and creating deflation hollows.
- Describe how global and local winds contribute to shaping landforms by recognizing their influence on erosion, sediment transport, and deposition in arid regions.
- Describe the impact of catastrophic water events, such as floods and mudslides, on altering the geological landscape.
- Recognize how various components of the hydrosphere, including rivers and glaciers, reshape landforms through erosive processes.
- Recognize and describe the processes of plate movements including divergence, convergence, and transformation and their effects on Earth's topography.
- Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
Assessment Guide
Assessment | Points |
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An Introduction | 5 points |
Lesson 1 Exam:What is Geography? | 90 points |
Lesson 2 Activity | 1 points |
Lesson 2 Exam:Oceans, Rivers, and Lakes | 100 points |
Lesson 3 Activity | 1 points |
Lesson 3 Exam:Continents and Islands | 90 points |
Lesson 4 Exam:Mountains and Valleys | 90 points |
Lesson 5 Exam:How the Wind Affects Landforms | 100 points |
Lesson 6 Activity | 1 points |
Lesson 6 Exam:How Water Affects Landforms | 100 points |
Lesson 7 Exam: Plate Tectonics | 100 points |
Lesson 8 Activity | 1 points |
Lesson 8 Exam: The Effect of Plants and Animals on Landforms | 100 points |
Lesson 9 Exam: How People Affect the Geography of the Planet | 100 points |
Lesson 10 Activity | 1 points |
Lesson 10 Exam: How People Divide the Planet | 70 points |
Lesson 11 Activity | 1 points |
Lesson 11 Exam: Using a Map | 80 points |
The Final Exam | 480 points |