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September 9

Hi

Welcome to GG 1013: Introductory Physical Geography 1. This will be an awesome course as we explore God’s creation in greater depth.

This is a distance education course.  This creates some exciting possibilities for you – you get to study at your time, pace, and place, and explore issues that interest you in greater depth.  You will also experience some challenges – you don’t get to see me, your instructor.  But yes, I do exist.  And I will do all I can to make this a positive, creative learning experience for you.

I have taught this course, distance education, for several years.  Most students really enjoy this style of learning.

Some things you need to do TODAY:

  • We have an introductory Zoom meeting on Friday, September 18 at 4 pm AT.  Please plan to attend.   It’s an opportunity to meet me, get a brief introduction to how the course works, and ask questions. Link:  https://ubc.zoom.us/j/63386965951?pwd=66WXrDFt8EKKnFOsYzx2la1g1CVUOB.1 Passcode: 2026
  • Visit the course website:  everything you need is here: https://www.rossway.net/crandall1013
  • Read the Syllabus (on Moodle and the course website) carefully – make sure you have a printed copy to refer to.
  • Read the Calendar (on Moodle and the course website) carefully – post a printed copy on your bulletin board where you can’t miss it.
  • Get the course text. It’s only online, available directly from Pearson Publishers (although print copies of the 3rd Canadian edition may be available and are acceptable).  There is a link for how to get it on both Moodle and the Course website” https://rossway.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20262027-Crandall-Text.pdf.
  • Being reading online notes 1a Introduction and the text Chapter 1
  • Introduce yourself on the course discussion group on https://www.elearning.crandallu.ca/
  • If you have any questions, get in touch with me right away.  Email works best …

* Please note that this course does have an in-person, on-campus final exam, December 11-17, as is required by the Dean’s Office.  Please do not make any travel plans until we know the exam schedule.  This is determined by the Registrar.

My background is as a geographer and pastor.

I have taught geography since my university days at UBC.

I also was a pastor for over 30 years. Most recently, I was lead pastor of First Baptist Church, Lethbridge, AB. I still live in Lethbridge.

I now work for Canadian Baptist Ministries, the mission agency of Canadian Baptists.  CBM works in partnership with local churches around the world to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to a broken world by equipping our partners to build the church, promote justice, address poverty, support kids at risk, and respond to crises.

Since I live in Alberta, unfortunately I am not actually on campus – but I DO exist.  I am here to help you any way I can.

Professionally, I am a member of the Canadian Association of Geographers (the academic and professional association for geographers in Canada), the Canadian Scientific Christian Affiliation (a network of Christians in the sciences – students members are welcome.).  For continuing education I am a Visiting Scholar at Cambridge University, U.K. (the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, St. Edmund’s College).

I have lived in BC, Nova Scotia, and Alberta … my wife is from Rossway, N.S. (hence the website name).   You can find out more about me on the website, click on the “Who is Bruce?” link.

I am really excited to be able to help you discover the wonders of God’s creation.  We will have a great course together.  Welcome.

Bruce Martin, Ph.D.

Instructor in Geography, Crandall University