Syllabus: Spring 2003

Instructor: Dr. Lindley Hanson (Ph.D.)

• Office 331E
• Telephone: 1-978-542-6701
• email: lhanson@salemstate.edu
• Office Hours: See Schedule below

Course Schedule

• Home Page: <http://www.salemstate.edu/~lhanson/>
• Glacial Page: <http://www.salemstate.edu/~lhanson/gls215/glac_frame.html > I will be continually modifying the web pages for the course. Before printing any pages check the modification date at the bottom of the page. If it doesn't state that it was modified in 03 then don't print it yet.

Field Trips

Weather permitting we will go on two field trips. We will take one weekend trip to south western New Hampshire to study till fabrics, and to look at ice contact deposits and the deposits of Glacial Lake Hitchcock. We will also spend a day identifying and measuring directional indicators in the Salem area.

Text:

Glacial Geology: Ice Sheets and Landforms by Bennet and Glasser

Objectives:

My first objective is to impart an understanding of glacial environments, processes and landscapes. My second objective is to apply this knowledge to the surrounding landscape and surficial materials. My third and last objective is to guide your through the process of research and writing.

Grade Evaluation:

The course will follow the outline of topics listed on the index of this site. Any changes in the syllabus or material covered will be posted on this site.

Project

1. Presentation on a particular aspect of glacial geology. Material is obtain from a literature search using professional sources (e.g. geology books, journals, magazine etc.) Internet material may also be used, but must be carefully evaluated. some sites are quite biased and tend to distort information. See me if you have any questions concerning information from a particular Internet site. An absolute minimum of 6 different reference must be cited.

• Suggestions: origin eskers; origin of drumlins; origin of erosional features such as cirques, glacial valleys, roche moutonnee, etc; engineering problems related to marine clays; glacial deposits and aquifers in New England; glacial advances and retreats; formation of Cape Cod, Long Island, Martha's Vineyard, or Nantucket; moraines in New England; stages of glaciation; evolution of a theory or technique, pluvial lakes; Channel Scablands, causes of glaciation, pluvial lakes; Quaternary events (take your pick) etc.
• Another acceptable approach is to analyze one or more landmark research papers on a particular topic. First you would obtain the paper(s) and most relevant references cited in it. When you thoroughly understand the material write a paper that discusses the purpose, importance, problems, methodology of the author, data, conclusions, etc. The entire paper must be in your own words.

2. Presentation based on field or lab work augmented by literature research: For example you may want to study the glacial aspects of a particular area or feature in the field or encountered on maps and air photographs. Literature research is typically is related to seeking out background information and analogous studies that will aid you in the interpretation and understanding of the feature(s) studied. At least four different references must be cited.

• Suggestions: field study of a gravel pit; determination of glacial flow by mapping striations and till fabrics; local features of glacial erosion and mechanisms of formation; mapping and interpretation of local drumlins using topographic maps; detailed study of a single drumlin, esker, or other glacial deposit; lands use of local glacial deposits;

Presentation Recommendations:

• Don't load your slides with text.
• Make sure the material in the slides is clearly visible. Don't make the text too small.
• If you show a diagram explain it.
• Don't reads your talk from the slides.
• Practice your talk before presenting it.
• Whatever bothers you about my presentation don't repeat in yours. (Also let me know.)

Make-up Exams: Any exams missed must be made up within one week of the original exam date. Exams will not be returned to the class for review until it has been taken by all students.

Updates: Any changes or modifications, announcements, links to study guides and other information will be periodically posted on the updates page. Check the updates page at least twice a week.

Academic dishonesty: Anyone caught or reported cheating on an exam or class project will automatically receive a 0 for the exercise and will be reported to the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

General College Rule: Your are responsible for completing all course requirements and for keeping up with all that goes on in class, whether or not your are present. Due to the lengthy explanation required for each lab and the number of labs being taught this semester, I will not have time to individually review labs for those who have missed them. It is therefore recommended that you find or make a friend from whom you can obtain notes and information in case you are absent.

Salem State College is committed to nondiscrimination of handicapped persons as specified in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Students who qualify as handicapped persons under the definition of this act should notify the instructor at the beginning of the course so that reasonable modifications in course requirements can be taken.     

[Glacial and Quaternary Geology] [extended GeoIndex][QkRef][Geological Sciences] [Degree Programs] [Salem State College]
Lindley Hanson (email) Last Modified 01/016/03