GEOLOGY 4320 GEOMORPHOLOGY - SPRING 2010
Instructor: Alan Kehew; Rood 3325; 7-5495; alan.kehew@wmich.edu
Lab Instructor: Kathyrn Titus
Text: Geomorphology: A systematic analysis of late Cenozoic landforms, 3 rd ed. A.L. Bloom
DATE
January
11
Intro
13
Cenozoic climates and climate change
15
Lab 1
18
Martin Luther King Day, no classes
20
Climate change (con’t)
22
Lab 2
25
Tectonic landforms
27
Volcanic landforms
29
Lab 3
February
01
Rock weathering
03
Soils
05
Lab 4
08
EXAM I
10
Soils (con’t)
12
Lab 5
15
Karst landscapes
17
Karst (con’t)
19
Lab 6
22
Mass Wasting
24
Mass wasting
(con’t)
26
Spirit Day, no classes
March 01-05 Spring Break; no class
08
The fluvial system
10
The fluvial system (con’t)
12
Lab 7
15
Fluvial processes and landforms
17
Fluvial processes and landforms (con’t)
19
Lab 8
22
Fluvial processes and landforms (con’t)
24
EXAM II
26
Lab Quiz
29
Arid and Savanna landscapes
31
Arid and Savanna landscapes (con’t)
April
02
Lab 9
05
Glaciers
07
Glacial landforms
09-11 Field Trip (Southern Indiana)
12
Glacial landforms (con’t)
14
Coastal Processes
16
Lab 10
19
Coastal Landforms
21
EXAM III
23
Lab Final
Final Exam: Monday April 26 10:15-12:15
READING (CH)
1;2
3,4, 18
18
5
6
7
7
7
8
8
9
9
10
10
11
11
11
13
13
16
17
17
19
19
Geomorphology 432 is a writing intensive course. To meet this objective this year, 3 short research papers will be
written on the topics covered in lecture. Laboratory exercises will be also designed to give you an opportunity to
practice your writing skills, AND your use of the language will be graded and will form a part of your grade for each
lab exercise. In addition, essay questions on all exams will be graded for both content and writing.
The purpose of the research papers is to improve your ability to write technical reports and papers in a format similar
to those written by professional geologists. Each paper will consist of 2 pages of double-spaced text (no more or no
less—with the exception of the fluvial paper). References and figures/diagrams/images can be added in additional
pages. A title page can be used in front of the text. Only a few major headings and subheadings can be used. The
fluvial paper should be 4 pages of text due to the breadth of the topic. Each paper should summarize the specific
topic. An average paper would simply review the text and the lecture material on a topic and be well written. A good
to outstanding paper would also incorporate material from references located by the student and be well written.
Researching the current literature is incredibly easy using on-line data bases available. One reference that is very
useful is the Encyclopedia of Quaternary Science, which is a large on-line reference on many topics of interest to this
course. Excellent paper topics can be found in the “vignettes” compiled on the following web site:
http://www.uvm.edu/~geomorph/textbook/. However, if you choose one of these for a topic, you must go beyond
what is included in the vignette.
References should appear in the text as author’s last name and date in parentheses. The format for references in the
bibliography should be consistent with the Geological Society of America Bulletin. Further instructions will be given
in class. Each paper will be reviewed by the instructor and returned to with comments for revision. The first draft
will not be graded independently but the final grade for the paper will be based on the quality of the first draft (both
technical content and writing) and the revisions made to complete the final draft. Grading criteria for the paper
include technical content (number and relevance of references, integration of material from different sources),
organization (logical subdivisions of material), and grammar, style, and clarity of sentences. Citations in text and
bibliography must follow GSA Bulletin style. Each paper is due on the second class period after assignment. The
revised papers are due on the second class period after the first drafts are returned. A LATENESS
PENALTY OF 10% OF THE GRADE FOR THE PAPER PER CLASS PERIOD WILL BE ASSESSED FOR
EACH PAPER.
Grades:
Exam I
Exam II
Exam III
Final Exam
Lab
Papers
10%
10%
10%
10 %
25%
35%
Class attendance is critical in this course, as is true for all courses in your major. As a result, on your fourth
unexcused absence from class and/or lab, your grade for the semester will drop by 1 letter grade and after
that by one grade per absence. Documented medical absences are acceptable (“I felt really bad yesterday” is
not acceptable). Other absences, like conferences, field trips for other courses, etc. may be acceptable, but
only when I am notified in advance.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY STATEMENT
You are responsible for making yourself aware of and understanding the policies and procedures in the [Undergraduate Catalog (pp.274276)/Graduate Catalog (pp. 26-27)] that pertain to academic integrity. These policies include cheating, fabrication, falsification and forgery,
multiple submission, plagiarism, complicity and computer misuse. If there is reason to believe you have been involved in academic dishonesty, you
will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. You will be given the opportunity to review the charge(s). If you believe you are not responsible,
you will have the opportunity for a hearing. You should consult with me if you are uncertain about an issue of academic honesty prior to the
submission of an assignment or test.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY IS CRITICAL FOR THE WRITING IN THIS COURSE. PAPERS MUST BE WRITTEN IN YOUR OWN WORDS
AND NOT EXTRACTED FROM REFERENCES. IT IS USUALLY RELATIVELY EASY FOR ME TO DETERMINE THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN YOUR WRITING AND THE WRITING IN A BOOK OR PAPER. THE PENALTY FOR PLAGERISM WILL BE A ZERO FOR
THAT PAPER.