Past, Present and Future WF 16:00-17:30 Winter 2012 Instru
Past, Present and Future WF 16:00-17:30 Winter 2012 Instru
Past, Present and Future WF 16:00-17:30 Winter 2012 Instru
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McGill University Department of Geography<br />
GEOG 205 – Global Change: <strong>Past</strong>, <strong>Present</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Future</strong> <strong>WF</strong> <strong>16</strong>:<strong>00</strong>-<strong>17</strong>:<strong>30</strong> <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2012</strong><br />
<strong>Instru</strong>ctors<br />
Dr. Benjamin Heumann<br />
Karen Paquin, MSc.<br />
benjamin.heumann@mail.mcgill.ca<br />
icegrammar@hotmail.com<br />
Teaching Assistant: Drew Pinsonneault tageog205@hotmail.com<br />
Office hours for instructors are by appointment only. Please email us to arrange a time. TA<br />
office hours will be set up around assignments <strong>and</strong> exams.<br />
Course Description<br />
This course examines the changes that have occurred in the global environment through the last<br />
two million years (Quaternary) to the present day, <strong>and</strong> the possible changes in this century<br />
associated with the greenhouse effect, climate change <strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong> use change. The course has three<br />
time components:<br />
1. <strong>Past</strong> climate <strong>and</strong> environmental change – includes changes during <strong>and</strong> as a result of the last Ice<br />
Age, an exploration of the way Ice Age theory developed <strong>and</strong> the methods researchers use to<br />
study climate <strong>and</strong> environmental changes, <strong>and</strong> an investigation of the Little Ice Age<br />
2. <strong>Present</strong> day climate <strong>and</strong> environmental change – how the present-day patterns of climate <strong>and</strong><br />
vegetation are generated <strong>and</strong> distributed, l<strong>and</strong> use <strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong> us changes, <strong>and</strong> an introduction to<br />
Earth’s systems<br />
3. <strong>Future</strong> climate <strong>and</strong> environmental change – predictions of what future climate <strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong>scapes<br />
will look like, insight into the causes for these climatic <strong>and</strong> environmental changes; <strong>and</strong><br />
challenges <strong>and</strong> possible solutions.<br />
Required Reading<br />
Imbrie J, <strong>and</strong> Imbrie KP, (1979). Ice ages: Solving the Mystery, Harvard University Press,<br />
Cambridge MA. – Available in the bookstore <strong>and</strong> on reserve in the library.<br />
Additional weekly required readings will be made available on WebCT.<br />
Course Evaluation<br />
You will be expected to take notes in this class. Your grade for the course will be based on the<br />
following items:<br />
Midterm exam 35%<br />
Two class assignments 20% (10% each)<br />
Final exam<br />
45% (cumulative, but weighted toward post-midterm material)
McGill University Department of Geography<br />
GEOG 205 – Global Change: <strong>Past</strong>, <strong>Present</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Future</strong> <strong>WF</strong> <strong>16</strong>:<strong>00</strong>-<strong>17</strong>:<strong>30</strong> <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2012</strong><br />
Unless you have received permission to miss an assignment deadline (e.g. medical excuse), all<br />
assignments are due at the end of class on the day stated on the assignment. You cannot email<br />
assignments. 25% will be deducted from your grade for each day an assignment is late.<br />
If you miss the mid-term, you must have a valid reason, such as a medical emergency (for which<br />
a doctor’s note is required) or a family crisis. If you miss this exam, please contact an instructor<br />
or TA as soon as possible. If you have a valid reason with valid documentation, we will arrange<br />
a make-up exam for you. We cannot provide make-up opportunities for the final exam; this is<br />
arranged by the university.<br />
Schedule Conflicts<br />
In the past, some students have signed up for this class in parallel with another class or lab <strong>and</strong><br />
missed most lectures. This is illegal. Please do not use this excuse. We expect you to attend all<br />
classes <strong>and</strong>, if you miss a class, make arrangements to catch up on assignments <strong>and</strong> find out<br />
about other course material <strong>and</strong> announcements.<br />
Class Etiquette<br />
Please be respectful of the instructors <strong>and</strong> other students. We request that you refrain from<br />
talking, sleeping, or focusing on non-course materials (e.g. social media) during class <strong>and</strong> that<br />
you give your full attention to the professors, guest lecturers, or videos. While the readings <strong>and</strong><br />
lecture slides compliment the lectures, the content of the lectures themselves is unique <strong>and</strong> will<br />
require note taking in class. If you must leave class early, please try to sit near the door so as not<br />
to disrupt your fellow students when you depart. If you arrive late, please enter from the back of<br />
the class.<br />
McGill University values academic integrity. Therefore, all students must underst<strong>and</strong> the<br />
meaning <strong>and</strong> consequences of cheating, plagiarism <strong>and</strong> other academic offenses under the Code<br />
of Student Conduct <strong>and</strong> Disciplinary Procedures (see www.mcgill.ca/students/srr/honest/) for<br />
more information.<br />
Although you may discuss your assignment questions, preparation of answers must be an<br />
individual effort. Your written material must be your own <strong>and</strong> unique.<br />
In accordance with McGill University’s charter of Student Rights, students in their course have<br />
the right to submit in English or French any written work that is to be graded.
McGill University Department of Geography<br />
GEOG 205 – Global Change: <strong>Past</strong>, <strong>Present</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Future</strong> <strong>WF</strong> <strong>16</strong>:<strong>00</strong>-<strong>17</strong>:<strong>30</strong> <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2012</strong><br />
Class Schedule<br />
Date Topic (Readings <strong>and</strong> Assignments) <strong>Instru</strong>ctor<br />
Jan. 11 Introduction to class (Imbrie <strong>and</strong> Imbrie ch. 1-2, IPCC FAQ)<br />
Heumann<br />
<strong>and</strong> Paquin<br />
Jan. 13 Earth systems - part 1 (Imbrie <strong>and</strong> Imbrie ch. 3-4) Heumann<br />
Jan. 18 Earth systems - part 2 (IPCC Ch. 2; Imbrie <strong>and</strong> Imbrie ch. 5-6) Heumann<br />
Jan. 20 Causes of Climate Change (Imbrie <strong>and</strong> Imbrie ch. 7-8) Heumann<br />
Jan. 25 Ice Age Theory: the players <strong>and</strong> the proof 1 (Imbrie <strong>and</strong> Imbrie ch. 9-10) Paquin<br />
Jan. 27<br />
Ice Age Theory: the players <strong>and</strong> the proof 2<br />
(Imbrie <strong>and</strong> Imbrie ch. 11-12) (Assignment 1 h<strong>and</strong>ed out)<br />
Paquin<br />
Feb. 1<br />
Climate <strong>and</strong> Environmental Change due to the Ice Age<br />
(Imbrie <strong>and</strong> Imbrie ch. 13-14)<br />
Paquin<br />
Feb. 3 Humans on the Move (Imbrie <strong>and</strong> Imbrie ch. 15-<strong>16</strong>) Paquin<br />
Feb. 8 Medieval Climatic Optimum (Imbrie <strong>and</strong> Imbrie readings completed) Paquin<br />
Feb. 10 Film: Little Ice Age : The Big Chill Paquin<br />
Feb. 15 The Little Ice Age: regional examples 1 Paquin<br />
Feb. <strong>17</strong> The Little Ice Age: regional examples 2 (Assignment 1 DUE) Paquin<br />
Feb. 22<br />
Reading week<br />
Feb. 24<br />
Reading week<br />
Feb. 29 Research methods: how we study climate/env. change Paquin<br />
Mar. 2 MIDTERM EXAM Paquin<br />
Mar. 7 Summary of <strong>Past</strong> Climate <strong>and</strong> Environmental Change Paquin<br />
Mar. 9 The Onset of the Industrial Revolution Paquin<br />
Mar. 14 Climate Models <strong>and</strong> Biosphere (Assignment 2 h<strong>and</strong>ed out) Heumann<br />
Mar. <strong>16</strong> Humans <strong>and</strong> Climate Change pt.1 Heumann<br />
Mar. 21 Humans <strong>and</strong> Climate Change pt. 2 Heumann<br />
Mar. 23 Impacts on Ecosystems Heumann<br />
Mar. 28 L<strong>and</strong> use <strong>and</strong> water (Assignment 2 DUE) Heumann<br />
Mar. <strong>30</strong> Climate Solutions Heumann<br />
Apr. 4 Climate Modeling – Guest Lecture Heumann<br />
Apr. 11 Film – Earth: An Operators Manual Heumann<br />
Apr. 13<br />
Summary <strong>and</strong> Exam Review<br />
Heumann /<br />
Paquin<br />
Deadline for course changes is January 24, <strong>2012</strong>.<br />
Final exam: Heumann <strong>and</strong> Paquin
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