Summer 2025 Syllabus
Information from our Canvas Page
All the information available on our Canvas page counts as part of our course "syllabus." If I have to print out an official syllabus for anyone (transfer credit, my boss asks, whatever), that information will be in included.
Learning Outcomes
By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
- Sketch known properties of Earth’s atmosphere including vertical temperature variations, the greenhouse effect, and humidity
- Apply knowledge about Earth’s orbital geometry to explain the seasons and how winds flow around the planet
- Perform calculations involving temperature, relative humidity, and clouds
- Label and interpret features commonly found on weather maps
- Compare actual weather conditions observed at the ground to weather radar and satellite imagery available via the Internet
- Make simple forecasts of weather conditions based on knowledge of pressure areas, fronts, and air masses
- Describe the origin, development, and effects of thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes
- Discuss the reasons for variations in climate that are found across in the United States; and in doing these things
- demonstrate the critical thinking skills expected in CAPP courses at IU.
Camera Usage
Cameras are not required unless your cat or dog is sitting in the chair with you, and then you must turn your camera on while they are with you. We always make time for pets on camera.
When doing group work (especially on Thursdays), I encourage you to turn on your cameras with your classmates in the breakout rooms. But again, not required.
If you schedule a private meeting with me (1-on-1 via Zoom), for FERPA-related security your camera will have to be turned on.
Grade Details
I'll calculate your course grade this way:
| Category | Number | Percentage |
| Daily after-class activities | 14 or 15, drop any 2 | 13 x 4% = 52% |
| Thursday group presentations | 5, drop any 1 | 4 x 10% = 40% |
| "Show and Tell" cloud photo | 1 (required) | 4% |
| Fourth week course reflection | 1 (required) | 4% |
| Total 100% |
Specifics about each category:
- Daily after-class activities: an assignment you'll complete on Canvas or in a Google Doc based on that day's course content.
- Thursday group presentations: on Thursdays, you'll work in small groups to develop and then give a 3-5 minute presentation on a topic related to the course. More details will be shared on the first Thursday of the course.
- "Show and Tell": each of you is expected to share one (1) photograph that YOU take yourself, of a cloud or a unique atmospheric phenomena. The photo does not have to be from this summer. You can share your photo in whatever way you would like: a one-minute share at the start of a class meeting; create a webpage with a 100-200 word description (suitable for a webpage, a Tumblr post, etc.); create a 1-2 minute video description (suitable for YT, etc.); or negotiate something else. I'll start these with a demo in Week 2.
- Course reflection: about Week 4, I want to ask you questions about what our course feels like, how the speed of the course has been, and things like that. I only teach online every couple of years (not counting the pandemic), so the feedback will be helpful to me!
Specifics about drops, makeups, and late work:
In the after-class and presentation categories, you are provided with drops to use for any reason. If you submit everything in that category, I'll drop the ones with the lowest grades. Or, you may use them for absences. Sickness, oversleeping, court date, carer responsibilities, job interview. If something comes up, use a drop.
Because you are permitted to drop 3 of the expected 20+ assignments -- nearly 15% of the overall assignment load for our course -- I do not expect that makeup assignments will be available. An extended / long-term absence from our course will most likely require an Incomplete and needing to come back and satisfy course requirements in the fall.
For categories where it makes sense, you are always welcome to submit late work until I have entered a zero for that assignment. Canvas will have an automatic late penalty calculator (about 10 percent per hour), so don't hesitate to submit something if you are a few minutes or even a few hours late.
IU and Academic Integrity
Most science is done collaboratively, and I want to encourage and expect discussion as much as possible. However, when it comes to turning in work for a grade, each student must submit their own, individual work and may not copy words, ideas, figures, or explanations from another student’s submitted work. When you submit an assignment, you signify that all of the creative effort contained in it is yours unless otherwise cited or referenced. All of us – yes, including me – are bound by the IU Student Code for the duration of the semester. You should read it.
The bottom line: if you turn something in, it must be yours. If you got help, you must say so.
"But what about ChatGPT and Google Gemini and other similar tools?" If an AI writes the bulk of one of your answers, that is not acceptable. But writing something yourself and asking AI to clean up the grammar, or find tpyos? I respect that. I do it myself! If I suspect you've used AI (or Chegg or any other resource) in an unacceptable way, the burden of proof will be entirely on you to convince me that you haven't. Let's not go down that road.
Cancellations & Emergencies
If I have to cancel a class, or IU makes us cancel, or there is a major disaster or something that would make class impractical, we'll figure it out. A six-week summer class isn't really the right place to have a long list of contingency plans. We'll be flexible as needed.
(Anyone remember the big storm that hit Bloomington last summer, that knocked out power for a week to some people? Yeah, we lost 3 days of class to that! It happens.)
Common Questions with Short Answers
- No, we will not have extra credit assignments.
- No, there are no exams!
- Yes, you can attend class from wherever you like, and on whatever device. Do what's best for you -- but realize that Thursdays are group presentation days and therefore more involved.
- Yes, you should tune in to class even if you'll be late. On Thursdays though, I may have to charge a late penalty if you miss part of the group work time.
- Yes, clothes are required. Nudity = academic misconduct and you'll be dismissed from the course. Don't do something that daft.
- No, we can't get a classroom together for those of you who are in Bloomington and do a "hybrid" style course. But if you're enrolled with your roommate/partner/whoever, you're welcome to attend on a single device with them! Great idea, that.
- But, if you're in town and want to chat with me at any point, drop me a line. Happy to do that.
Changes to this Syllabus
I reserve the right to edit for clarity, or to clean up tpyos, at any time. I don't anticipate needing to, but I also reserve the right to make additions or changes -- which I will announce to you and will document in this section.
About this Site
This site is essentially just a landing page for the course during registration. After the semester begins, we will use Canvas as our resource area.