Geology of San Francisco -- Field Class -- Fall 2023 -- GEOL 21B
CRN 73064 -- In Person

WELCOME!

MANDATORY ORIENTATION:
Saturday September 30th -- 9:10 am to Noon -- Science 45
FIRST FIELD DAY: Saturday October 7, 9 am to 5 pm (with a lunch break in the middle)
SECOND FIELD DAY: Saturday October 14, 9 am to 5 pm (with a lunch break in the middle)

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PROFESSOR: Katryn Wiese | 💬👥Open Q&A, News, and More

Direct link to office hours document

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WELCOME TO SAN FRANCISCO FIELD GEOLOGY! This class is about:

• MAKING OBSERVATIONS in the field – really seeing – textures, shapes, relationships, etc. 
• RECORDING OBSERVATIONS in the field – including keeping field notes and noting weather and location details 
• EVALUATING YOUR OBSERVATIONS – thinking about the processes going on in the area and the science behind the features you’re seeing (formations, evolution, connections, etc.)
• MAKING HYPOTHESES, based on your observations and evaluations.
• EVALUATING YOUR HYPOTHESES AND MODIFYING THEM – based on new data picked up as more data are collected and observations are made
• SCIENCE = observation, thinking, testing, and asking WHY? Question everything!

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Do you have to be an expert and have taken other Earth Science or Field classes to succeed in this class? Not at all. This class is designed to be of value to students at any stage, and we will all learn from each other, whether we’re asking the questions or helping to answer them. Field skills improve with experience. We work collaboratively on this journey even though we may be at different levels.

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THIS IN-PERSON FIELD CLASS REQUIRES 20.5 hrs of in-class and in-the-field work and 6 hours of homework.
The homework can be accessed through CANVAS. 
The class will meet regardless of the weather, so be prepared for all kinds of weather. 

Canvas will be the main platform for communication and engagement for all asynchronous components of the course.

This class is built on Modules. Click on the Modules link in the left-hand navigation menu or click a week in the schedule below to start a module. Progress through the modules page by page to access tutorials, assignments, instructions, discussions, and quizzes.

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Important Dates

• First day class opens for CANVAS work: Saturday, September 30th
• First lab/orientation class: Saturday, September 30th, 9:10 am to Noon.
• Last Date to drop with a refund: 9/30
• Last Date to Drop without a W: 9/30
• Last Date to Drop with a W: 10/7
• Last day of Class: Saturday, October 14th

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Course Grade

This class provides only a Pass/No Pass grade.
To pass and receive credit, students must receive a grade of 70% or higher on all assignments and attend both field days and the Orientation.

5 assignments are worth 10 points each, for a total of 50 points.
Assignments consist of 3 Wrap-Up assignments for all 3 class days,
and 2 Warm-Up assignments, one for each field day

Reference: help Calculating Your Total Course Grade

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Course Content and Outcomes

In this course we will cover field experiences that introduce students to geological processes at work in the city of San Francisco, emphasizing scientific field work surface and rock types, topographic features and their formation, geologic hazards, and geologic history. 

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs): Upon completion of this course a student will be able to:

1. Observe, describe, and analyze the physical forces and processes that have shaped the major topographical features found within the city of San Francisco.
2. Collect and analyze rock, sediment, soil, and fossil samples and use them to develop working hypotheses about local geologic processes.
3. Evaluate geologic hazards within San Francisco, and identify and evaluate what has been done to minimize their damage.
4. Review and evaluate the supporting data for the geological history of San Francisco.

(GEOL 21B Official Course Outline)

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Building Community

The heart of this class is the community we will build together. Each class, we will work collaboratively in the lab room or in the field to build an understanding of the class material. Part of why I love to teach is because I love to share in what each of you brings to the table -- your background, your questions, and your experiences with the material. You will have many opportunities during this class to learn from each other, and that will be improved through thoughtful collaborative interactions. 

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Requirements

Field work requires hiking across uneven terrain and up and down hills. 

Required materials for each field day:

• Sturdy waterproof boots or shoes
• Hat, gloves, Rain jacket and pants (in case really wet) + Umbrella
• Polyester, wool, fleece clothing if at all possible (cotton, if wet, will make you miserably cold).
• Clipboard or hard surface + Pens, pencils.
• Field Book + Handouts
• Lunch and snacks (you’re on your own for food and have to have it all with you!)
• Water

Things that are not allowed: No alcohol or smoking of any kind. No pets or guests.

Field work requires hiking across uneven terrain and up and down hills. Participants should be in sufficient physical condition to be outdoors all day, rain or shine, and walk up and down hills and across sand and uneven terrain for distances up to 1 to 2 miles at a single stop.
The class will meet regardless of the weather, so be prepared for all kinds of weather. 

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Technology Requirements

To participate fully in this class, you will need to have consistent access to a working laptop or desktop computer and good internet connections. This technology will be required for completing some assignments and communicating outside class with class colleagues and instructors.

Be sure you set up your notifications to ensure you receive prompt information about the class; and plan to log into CANVAS to check for updates at least once a day. If you need help learning how to use these tools, please let me know and reference the support links below:

• Internet, browser, and computer sufficient for watching online videos and reviewing resources each week
  • Be sure you regularly update your browser.
  • Cell phones are good for access to some course materials. However, for taking quizzes, a desktop or laptop will be much better. And for some labs, you will be using Google Earth desktop version, which if you are accessing outside class, you will need to download onto your laptop or desktop. Chromebooks will not let you use this software (no downloads), so you'll have to create a workaround with instructor. If you have any concerns on technology, reach out to instructor ASAP to figure out a workaround.
• CANVAS access and familiarity
  • Navigating Your CANVAS Course
  • If you need help with the mechanics of Canvas, review CCSF's CANVAS Student Support Center
• Camera to take photos of some of your completed work and upload it to CANVAS. (Phone camera will work fine!)

If you anticipate any problem with the above requirements, contact me right away to see if I can assist.

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Class format

Expect to spend on average 6 hrs on the homework for this class:

• Completing preparatory tutorials
• Completing warm-up assignments

Note: Class and office hours will happen at times that allow you to come get help from the instructor and fellow students on class-related content. The best way to succeed in this class is to work on your own first completing as much as you can, seek help with the questions you have, and practice the topics that are the most challenging.

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Class Resources

All course content and assignments are in CANVAS modules. To be successful in this class, you need to access content through the modules, which are designed to be completed IN ORDER. Please use the Modules to access all course materials.

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Assignments

The point of the lab and field activities is to learn a set of lab and field skills. Your lab notebook is a place for you to practice lab skills and keep notes. I recommend that you use pencil in your lab notebook so you can easily erase mistakes and correct them.

• Warm-Up Assignments will help you prepare for the lab.
• Wrap-Up Assignments for each day will contain questions that come from day's activities. Use the field and lab assignments to guide you on what you need to know and ask questions if you have them, so you can do well on the wrap-up assignments.

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Field trip transportation

You will need to provide your own transportation to and from these field sites, all of which are within a 30-minute drive from campus. You're encouraged to coordinate with your fellow students to create carpools, but that will be your responsibility.

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Late Assignments

No assignments will be accepted late.

• The warm-up assignments are due before our field days and will be discussed during that field trip. Answers are released that morning. For that reason, no late assignments are accepted. I recommend you do them early to avoid missing them.
• The wrap-up assignments happen in class/field, and you have to be present to complete them.

For more details, review information on late policy and grading/feedback procedures.

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Attendance

Because of the short-term and field nature of this course, attendance is mandatory. If you cannot make all the class sessions, you cannot achieve credit for the course. There are 20.5 hours total of in-class and in-the-field work required.

Final note: I  cannot keep students enrolled just for financial aid or student visa status or any other external requirement. To stay enrolled in this class, you will have to maintain your participation, which means attending all classes and keeping up with weekly assignments and quizzes and discussions. Please reach out right away if you are encountering any attendance difficulties, so we can collaboratively figure out the best option for you. 

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Seeking Help

I want you to feel supported!

See Support for Students for more information on how to get help during class from me, your fellow students, counselors, and other student support services.

For students who are registered with Disabled Student Programs and Services or who would like to register, please be sure to visit the DSPS website. If you have paperwork, please submit it to me as soon as possible so I can assist with accommodations.

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Collaboration and Standards of Conduct

You are encouraged to work with other students -- learning can be greatly improved by collaboration. Collaboration is encouraged for all assignments. But what does that mean? If you are working closely with friends or fellow students, it means each of you working first on your own and bringing your best work together to compare and discuss, and then putting answers down in your assignment that reflect your own thinking and words.

Be absolutely sure that your answers are your own and in your own words. Copying of homework in whole or in part will be considered an act of academic dishonesty. Any identical submissions will be given a 0, so be careful and reach out to your instructor right away if you have any questions or concerns. 

Also, remember that wrap-up assignments are individual effort only. Any indication that students have collaborated on these will result in a 0 for all parties.

Please avoid any indication of cheating by writing your answers in your own word and submitting your own work. See these links on Plagiarism:

• Encourage Academic Integrity and Prevent Plagiarism
• Citing Information Sources

Students who register in CCSF classes are required to abide by the CCSF Student Code of Conduct.. Violation of the code is basis for referral to the Student Conduct Coordinator or dismissal from class or from the College. See the Office of Student Affairs for more information. 

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Title IX Policy Addressing Sexual Misconduct, Harassment, and Assault

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Communication, Feedback, and Expectations

You will be most successful in this course if you meet the following expectations:

• Complete the assigned activities each week on time. Please let me know as soon as you can concerning difficulties that you may have in getting assignments in on time so we can figure out a solution together.
• Think critically about the weekly topics. Is something surprising? Is it new to you? How does it contrast with what you know about the topic from previous semesters, classes, or life experiences? 
• When you work with your fellow students, come together with your own best work already done and discuss and learn from each other. Be sure your work is your own.
• Review feedback I leave you: I put together a short video to explain how to access the feedback I give you on your assignments and quizzes. Please review if you're not sure how to see it:

You can communicate with me each week in multiple ways:

• Each assignment you submit has a space for assignment comments.
• You're also always welcome to email me at any time with feedback.
• Come to office hours!
• Schedule a one-on-one.

Here is what you can expect of me:

• I will respond to your email or message within 24 hours M-F (holidays excepted) unless I inform you otherwise.
• I will treat you and your ideas with respect.
• I will grade on-time assignments with 2 days of the deadline.
• I will keep the Canvas Gradebook current with your cumulative grade.
• I will check in periodically to the student Q&A boards to address any questions not already answered by a fellow student.
• I will work hard to make this a great class for you! :)