Courses Taught by Professor King

GEOG 3B. Land, Water, and Life

(Fall 2010, Fall 2012, planned for Spring 2015)

The courses GEOG 3A (Oceans and Atmosphere) and GEOG 3B (Land, Water, and Life) together represent an introduction to physical geography. GEOG 3B focuses on the study of the interactions among water, landforms, soil, and vegetation that create and modify Earth’s surface. We will also investigate ways in which Earth is modified by human activities. Lectures will focus on key concepts for each topic in the syllabus. Discussion sections will provide opportunities to explore these concepts in more depth through discussion and assignments. This course is intended for first-year students majoring in Geography and for all students who are interested in the environment. This course does not have prerequisites. High school science preparation is assumed. This course counts towards the College of Letters and Science Area C requirement.

GEOG 134. Earth System Science

(Spring 2009, Winter 2011, Winter 2012, Winter 2013, Winter 2014, Winter 2015)

This course is focused on the study of Earth as a single, dynamic system. We are interested in understanding the interactions between components of the Earth system and the cycling of energy, water, and elements among Earth system components. The study of Earth as a system allows us to observe global phenomena that are otherwise invisible at small spatial scales and short time scales. Thus Earth system science is the key emerging field for the study of global environmental change. In this course we will examine how the major components of the Earth system work and how they are maintained in equilibrium by feedbacks and interactions. We will investigate ways in which Earth is changing in response to human activities.

GEOG 142. Global Biogeochemical Cycles

(Winter 2009, Fall 2009, Spring 2012, Fall 2013, planned for Spring 2016)

In this course, we examine processes driving element and energy cycling through the Earth system. We will focus on the major life elements (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, oxygen) and the global water and energy cycles. The aim is to understand global patterns of element fluxes, the dynamic nature of element/energy cycles, and prediction of biogeochemical cycling with changes in climate and human impacts.

GEOG 500. T.A. Training

(Fall 2009, Fall 2010, Fall 2013, Fall 2014)

The objective of this course is to prepare graduate students to be effective TAs and future faculty members. Topics for discussion will include: meeting your students on the first day, the syllabus as a contract, testing and grading, assessment, exercises to improve oral communication, dealing with unexpected situations in the classroom, and university policies related to student and instructor ethics and conduct. The weekly seminars will include both guest lectures and discussions. Video recording of at least one session of instruction by each student will be critiqued by the instructor and TA.

Click here to look up current and past Geography courses by quarter.