Geology 100  Introductory Geology with Field Emphasis         link to daily schedule
(this page is available at http://geology.wlu.edu/harbor/geo100)

Professor David J Harbor, Science Center - A223
Office phone:  463-8871 (leave a message, fair odds for a response)
E-mail:  harbord@wlu.edu (better odds for a response)
Office Hours: on dept homepage other times by appointment in advance, if you really need to find me.  Student assistants will be available during some weekday evenings. Link to Dave's office hours.

Course Materials:
Bring these to class with you every day !
Text:  Grotzinger et al Understanding Earth, 5th ed.
*Map:  US Geological Survey 1:100,000 Buena Vista Quadrangle
*Hand lens: 3 types available           * buy these from the geology secretary if you misplace the one given to you
3-hole binder for field notes
Sturdy footware, no flipflops or high heals, please

Learning Objectives for the Course :

You should come out of this course with an appreciation for the science of Geology and experience in many of its aspects. You will quantitatively and qualitatively analayze field obsservations to interpret questions of geological process and history, gain a rudimentary knowledge of geology that will allow you to read and interpret geological phenomena as reported in the news and general scientific literature, learn to identify many geological materials in hand sample and in the field, get experience using and interpreting topographic and geologic maps, and learn the geological history of eastern North America.

General Ground Rules:
    Weather permitting (we WILL go in the field during light rain and when it is cold, be prepared), we will take leave of campus and engage in discussion and experiential learning at field sites located in all compass directions from Lexington.  In general, I will rely on your inquiry to guide the focus of the experience.   So in return for not subjected you to boring lectures, I expect you to be inquisitive and interested in what we’re doing in the field.  The result will be a great class!  However, it will only succeed if every person participates.  This requires you to be prepared for potent and creative thinking every class period.  Reading from the textbook, Understanding Earth, must be completed as assigned prior to trips and exercises if we are to make any meaningful progress. You may be questioned about the reading when in the field.   BE SAFE IN THE FIELD.

Schedule: link to daily schedule
     In general, we will try to stay on a schedule that builds from what was learned on previous days, although weather and other factors may require you to jump forward or backward on occasion.   Lab days that are forecast for continuous heavy rain will be spent on laboratory assignments or other indoor exercises.   I will try to give you schedules that extend at least two weeks in advance.
Fieldwork, Taking Notes, and Assignments:
Some field exercises will result in a writing assignment or project that is turned in and graded.  To complete these successfully you must take part in discussion and make complete, legible field notes (including sketches where necessary).  Keep your field notes in a neat fashion arranged by trip in a three-hole sleeve.  These notes and the accumulated exercise materials should be filed away in a binder that can be handed in at the end of the class.  I suggest the following format: 

Date
Location of exercise   <--- ask about this if I forget
    this should include both the place name and if we use a GPS, the coordinates.  The place should also be marked on your copy of the map as precisely as possible. Each point on the map should be highlighted and noted with a number A-B, where A is the trip number and B is the stop number.
General Purpose <------ ask

field notes and sketches.   Use diagramatic sketches (unless you're a rapid-draw artist) to illustrate points in your notes if necessary.  You don't necessarily need to record everything, but getting the major ideas and observations will help you remember for the fina and final projectl, both of which are comprehensive. Here are some of the things that will be important at each stop.

Post-trip Summary.  One or two paragraph, concisely written account of the broad themes and concepts introduced that day.  Explain how the details relate to the larger picture of what you’re learning.
Comments when appropriate .  How are you doing?   Things to change or do better next time.

I may collect and grade field notes as needed during the semester; keep copies of notes you need for any pending assignments.  You are expected to discuss observations with me and with your fellow students while we’re in the field, but writing and interpretive assignments must be completed independently except when they are specifically assigned as group projects. If you miss a lab, speak with a classmate about the exercise or activity. You are expected to make up any work on your own. If you cannot repeat what we did in class, you are responsible for a creative and rigorous substitute to replace the automatic zero. If you are sick, you must call my office or email me BEFORE CLASS STARTS.
Self-instruction labs:
In order to facilitate the discussion of material in the field, you will complete on your own time several labs covering minerals, rocks, topographic maps, and geologic maps.  Work conscientiously through each question before checking the answers, if they are to be of any use.  All materials will be available in geology lab (A022).
Grading:
Quizzes on minerals, rocks, and maps plus a midterm will be based on the factual material covered in the reading, field discussion, and self-paced labs.  The final exam will be comprehensive, covering all aspects of the class including the information presented in the field.  It may be scheduled for a single exam period during finals.  Approximate weighting is

Participation and field notes

5%

Assignments

50%

Midterm

15%

Final Exam 

30%

Note about Honors:  Because this class is based on observation and inquiry at a finite number of geologic locations, no materials of any kind from any previous geology class may be used to complete assignments or to study for tests.  Likewise you may not leave behind any materials for future students to see or use.   However, I do encourage you to seek out library books and other outside reference sources (the internet, periodicals in the science library and Leyburn, newspapers, etc.).  You must cite them in your work when you use them.