Overview
In this unit you will visit the Sahara Desert to learn about its climate, its landforms, and the lives led by its many inhabitants. We will also explore the idea of desertification, and talk about how the future of the desert may depend on development projects within its borders.
Learning Objectives
By the end of Lesson 9, successful students will be able to:
- Define a desert in two different ways and understand why the climatological definition is preferred.
- Describe features of the Sahara desert, including its size, composition, and wind patterns.
- Read and interpret a map of an unfamiliar location.
- Describe processes of desertification and its potential impact on human life.
Reading Assignment from e-Reserves
Electronic course reserves, or "e-Reserves," are articles that are available online through the University Libraries. You can access our course reserves by clicking on the Resources tab in ANGEL and then clicking on the "Library Reserves" link within the "Penn State Library Tools" box. E-Reserves directions are also available to help you learn how to use the online system.
Deliverables
The following items are due by the end of this lesson (see the Calendar tab in ANGEL for specific due dates). Detailed information about the assignments and submission directions are included in this lesson.
- Discussion Forum: Climate of Africa, Part III
- Assignment: Climate Change Project, Part B
Questions?
If you have any questions now or at any point during this week, please feel free to post them to the Lesson 9 Discussion Forum. (That discussion forum can be accessed at any time by clicking on the Communicate tab in ANGEL and then scrolling down to the Discussion Forums section.)
