INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Joy Wolf
CLASS TIME: Th 2:00 – 5:00 pm
TELEPHONE: 595-3221
EMAIL: wolf@uwp.edu
OFFICE: Molinaro 247

Field Photos:   2007

This course introduces the physical processes that shape Earth’s landscape at local and global scales.  We will explore geologic processes such as mountain building, volcanoes, and plate tectonics, and how they create interesting landforms, and cause significant hazards to people.  We will also learn about how the land is shaped by weathering processes from water, glaciers, and wind. 

My goals for this course are to provide concepts you’ll need to understand the landform processes around you, and make the concepts tangible and interesting.  This course incorporates labs and field outings that will assist you to understand these concepts.  Your goal should be a commitment to the course.

EMAIL:  I will use email to communicate with you outside of class.   Use your email every day, so that you do not miss information or assignments.  I expect you to come to class prepared!

TEXT (REQUIRED): Tarbuck and Lutgens.  Ninth Edition.  Earth.  Prentice Hall

GRADING:  Your final course grade will be based on the following:
20%   Labs and Field Trips
10%   Participation and attendance
20%   Research Presentation and Paper
15%   Midterm I
15%   Midterm II
20%   Final Exam

Lab Component:  The labs and field trips offer a hands-on approach to grasp concepts to explore landforms in the real world.  All labs are due on the same day they are given.  You will work in groups; but you are responsible for your own work.   Plagurism is not tolerated.

Exams will cover material from lectures, and in the text, videos, field trips, in-class labs and outside readings.  Test questions will challenge your critical thinking skills, and will include short essay, problem-solving, and quantitative-based questions.  The tests are challenging.  Students with special needs should speak with me as soon as possible.  NO make-up exams

RESEARCH PAPER AND PRESENTATION:  You will prepare a 12-14 minute presentation (with 5 minutes for questions) and a 5 page (of text) double spaced research paper.  Your focus will be an assigned topic in the field of landforms geography.  Your research paper should be well-written and include an introduction that provides background information and current issues about your landform topic, what research is being done, why and how it is studied, and how it affects human patterns.  Conclude with your critical analysis of the research in your topic.  You must use at least 3 references from peer-reviewed journals. 

 

Day/Week	Topics	Readings
1 9/10	Introduction, Geologic Time Lab:  Geologic Time, Grand Canyon	Ch 9
2 9/17	Crustal Deformation Wisconsin Geologic History, start (see week 9) Maps and Aerial Photos Lab:  Maps and Aerial Photos	Ch 10 Handouts
3 9/24	Hydrology, Running Water, Floods Lab:  River Processes, Hydrographs	Ch 16
4 10/1	Shorelines, Soils Lab:  Soils	Ch 20 Ch 6, pg 177-188
5 10/8	MIDTERM Field Trip – Root River to Lake Michigan
6 10/15	Weathering, Groundwater, Karst	Ch 6, pg 165-177 Ch 17
7 10/22	Mass Wasting Desert and Winds?? Lab:  Slopes	Ch 15 Ch 19?
8 10/29	Glaciers and Glaciation Lab:  Glacial Landforms	Ch 18
9 11/5	Wisconsin Geologic History, finish Field Trip:   Glacial Landforms	Handouts
10 11/12	MIDTERM  Plate Tectonics	Ch 2
11 11/19	Earth’s Interior Volcanoes and Other Igneous Activity Lab:  Volcanic Landforms	Ch 12 Ch 5
12 11/26	Mountain Building Lab:  Orogenic Landforms	14
13 12/3	Rocks and Minerals Lab:  Rock/Mineral ID	Chs 3, 4, 7, 8 - loosely
14 12/10	Student Presentations Global Climate Change  Oceans (if time)	Ch 21 Ch 13 (if time)