ALPINE ENVIRONMENTS Geography 322

Instructor: Dr. Keith Hadley

Office: CH 424M

Office Hours: MWF 11:30 to 12:30 or by appointment

Phone: 725-3078

E-mail: hadley@.pdx.edu (Subject: Geog322)

Web Site: http://web.pdx.edu/~hadley/

COURSE OBJECTIVE: This course examines the geoecology of alpine environments. It specifically examines the unique characteristics of alpine climate, snow, avalanches, and glaciers, alpine landforms and soils, and alpine vegetation. While each of these topics will be discussed independently, their inter-relationships (geoecology) are stressed to present a holistic understanding of these dynamic and ecologically important high elevation regions. Course content includes regional comparisons of alpine conditions in tropical, mid-latitude, and high latitude areas and comparisons with adjacent subalpine areas. Human modification of alpine environments is also discussed.

REQUIRED TEXT:

Mountains and Man: A Study of Process and Environment. Price, L.W. 1981.

Note: this book will be revised in 2003 with new authors. Copies of the original text can sometimes be found at Powell’s Books.

GRADING:

Final grades will be based on the following:

1. Exercises and Quizzes 25%

2. Mid-Term Exam 20%

3. Final Exam 30%

4. Article Reviews 25%

Exams and quizzes will consist of true/false, multiple guess, matching, definitions, fill-in-the-blank, short answer, short and long essay questions. Slides will be used in class and incorporated in the exams. Final grades for the course will be curved. Students who feel they have a learning disability that may affect their performance are encouraged to meet with me as soon as possible so that accommodations can be made.

The following is a course outline covering the major lecture topics and reading assignments. This is a tentative schedule that may be adjusted as the term progresses. In addition to textbook assignments, students will be responsible for information included in course handouts and in class videos. Overhead masters referred to during lecture (and not taken from the text) are available in the Geography Department Office.

TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE
TOPIC	DESCRIPTION	READINGS
1	Introduction: Alpine Environments and Geoecology	Chapters 1 and 2
2	Orogenesis: A Brief Overview of the Construction of Alpine Regions	Chapter 3
	Quiz 1
3	Mountain Weather and Climate	Chapter 4
	Quiz 2
4	Snow, Glaciers, and Avalanches	Chapter 5
	Exam 1
5	Alpine Landforms: Glacial and Periglacial Processes	Chapter 6
6	Alpine Soils	Chapter 7
7	Tree line and Alpine Vegetation	Chapter 8
	FINAL EXAM