The Earth System: Patterns and Perspectives
Geology 140/150
Block 1-2
Course Overview
Theme:
Two threads of analysis will be intertwined throughout this course. The first thread, a scientific understanding of the Earth, with emphasis on classical Geology, will begin with the Order found in atoms that comprise minerals. This thread will be developed though rocks to interpretations of depositional environments, earth movements and historical geology to the Lithospheric subsystem of the Earth System. As we begin to consider the other subsystems (hydrosphere, atmosphere, a bit of biosphere and the biogeochemical cycles connecting the subsystems, chaos appears. From the order of the atoms, we reach the chaotic behavior of weather, El Nino, earthquakes and possibly life itself. Is the earth alive, as the Gaia hypothesis proposes? The question for each of us to consider in this chain, is how does this chaotic behavior arise from atomic order?
The second thread, your reflections on the place of humans within this system, begins with whatever Chaos you bring to the class. What readings have you done in the Philosophy of Science (including gender and racial perspectives)? I assume you have all been practicing some form of science in school. How much of that training is reflective of the reality of scientific discovery? We will work through a series of readings, designed to examine the nature of science and environmental ethics, with emphasis on Ecofeminism and alternative perspectives on the environment in which we live, leading to spiritual questions about the place of humans in the Earth System. This will culminate in your Ordered statement of personal philosophy. Thus, as the scientific thread leads us from Order to Chaos, the Philosophical thread should lead us from Chaos to Order in our understanding of who we are and how we fit in to the Earth System.
Course goals:
First, this class is a Geology class, which fulfills the prerequisite in the department for all upper-level geology classes and meets the Environmental Science-Geology emphasis requirement for an Introductory course. Thus, emphasis will be on learning to recognize minerals, rocks and fossils in outcrops; to observe and interpret combinations of these to reveal ancient environments; to record this data on maps; to unravel folds and faults which change these patterns. Because of the setting of Colorado Springs over subsiding coal mines, in flood plains, on expansive soils and landslides, with mountain basin pollution, the course includes a component of environmental concerns. As usual at CC, we also emphasize learning natural history on these trips and include some ecology. Such interconnectedness is crucial to the understanding of Earth Systems we try to convey by the end of the class.
Second, this class is designed to meet goals of the FYE program. Thus, we will emphasize your writing skills in a variety of formats and there will be no traditional tests (ok, one Lab Exam). These formats will include informal journals; short, concise, precise papers; and a major research paper. Several oral presentations and group activities, often tied to discussion of the philosophical readings will be key components. Lectures and Labs will emphasize key aspects of the geology texts. It is my expectation that you will read these texts at least once, and as carefully beyond that as your interest (and commitment to your tuition expenses) motivates you individually. I do not feel obliged to test you on your reading comprehension, but welcome questions in class to clarify our understanding of the Earth System.
Readings:
Skinner and Porter, The Blue Planet
Hamblin and Howard, Exercises in Physical Geology
Readings Packet- numerous articles for discussion
10X handlens
Field Notebook
Grading:
Short Paper on Volcanism 10
Lab Exam 10
E- Journal 5
Home Turf Poster 15
Loveland Map 5
Bear Creek Map 20
Environmental Philosophy Paper 5
Final Research Paper 25
Discussion (includes Group Projects, Garden Exercise) 5
Labs/Field Quizzes +/-
100
Expectations for Graded Projects:
Detailed instructions for each project will be given in class
Stay awake and take careful notes!
Participation
First and foremost I expect your full participation in all lectures, labs, discussions, etc. I do not want excuses for inability to participate in these activities - I want your presence (and I know we all have other 'lives', but for your ~ $tuition you better watch priorities, eh?).
Journal
I am asking you to participate in a class e-journal of reactions, thoughts, feelings to class discussions, particularly any questions I pose. You are to make an entry in the class folder each night the syllabus is marked with a ‘J’. Each entry should start with a statement of the issue or reading to which you are responding, then include personal experiences that shed light on your perspective, then pose larger questions or thoughts about the issue.Your entry is due in the folder by 9 pm after the day’s discussion. Then, you must respond to at least two of your fellow student’s entries. Responses may be short or long, but must be relevant and constructive. I expect us to use civil language, though writing style and grammar may be somewhat loose. Keep track of each other’s ideas and especially of how they connect to the readings. These will assist you in preparing your own philosophy paper at the end of the class.
The Environmental philosophy paper requires you to write a brief (2-3 pages) statement of your personal philosophy (today). If you do the journal well, you will find that this paper has somewhat written itself.
Short Paper
Write one short (maximum 3-pages, 8-1/2 x 11, double-spaced, 250 words per page ...) paper. This will be an analysis of a volcanic eruption which had significant impact on humans. (DUE: Wednesday September 12, 9:00 am, letter-grade penalty for lateness, 1/2-letter grade penalty for typos, grammatical errors, punctuation, logistics ... ). Organization, lucidity, good referencing are all critical. USE THE WRITING CENTER.
Home Turf Poster
Prepare a poster board presentation describing the geology of your home town (or that portion of the planet you believe is your main home). Include environmental issues, especially those tied to the geological uses in your turf. The poster must include an abstract (one page), illustrations which can be easily followed and are well-captioned, a summary of the environmental issues and your thoughts about them, which reflect our discussions of environmental philosophies, and references. I strongly suggest that you call home NOW (a good idea anyway) and ask for help collecting materials; check local websites...
Mapping Projects
These are the heart of the geology and will let me know how well you have mastered the skills of geology. Both maps will contain three parts: a geologic column (see your lab manual for the only correct format), a map, and a cross-section showing the geology underground. The Bear Creek map will also include a 1-2 page written document summarizing the Geological history of the region (depositional environments and structural changes).
Final Project
Your final project can take one of several forms. It must address an issue
in environmental geology and clearly delineate your position alongside accurate scientific information. These projects may be worked on in pairs (such projects
must reflect the pairing by doing more than a single student would).
You may choose to do a library paper on a topic we touched on or one we
didn't which I approve as appropriate. Such a paper must be specific to a
location. Do not do rain forest destruction, but destruction of the Amazon is acceptable; do not do impact of dams, but the impact of the Glen Canyon dam on the Colorado River is great. You might choose to examine a local problem in the field and collect your own data (pollution, soil ...). Rather than an in-class exam, I am asking you to pick a topic of interest to yourself, within the constraints of my class, and go as far with it as you can (DUE: Wednesday October 24, by noon - penalty for being late ...). Length of project is not nearly as important as quality!