Chabot College November 1994

Removed Fall 2010

Course Outline for Geology 21

GEOLOGY OF THE WEST

Catalog Description:

21 - Geology of the West 3 Units

Geological features of the West. Examples drawn from the Grand Canyon, Sierras, Rocky Mountains, and the western National parks to illustrate the processes of geology. Prerequisite: Geology 10 (completed with a grade of C or higher). 3 hours.
[Typical contact hours: 52.5]

Expected Outcomes for Students:

Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:

1. obtain an understanding of the processes of geology beyond the basics learned in Geology 10;

2. understand how plate tectonics is seen as the builder of much of western geology;

3. show how the landscape has evolved through time and explain the reasons for these changes.

Course Content:

1. Review of geologic concepts

2. Review of plate tectonics

3. Evolution of western North America

4. Geologic history of western sites such as:

a. Rocky Mountains

b. Basin and Range Province

c. Colorado Plateau

d. Grand Canyon

e. Sierra Nevada

f. Pacific Coast Ranges

g. Western National Parks

5. Economic Geology of the West

Methods of Presentation:

1. Classroom presentation of slides, movies, mineral and rock collections.

2. Lectures.

3. Optional field trips.

Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:

1. Written Assignments

2. Discussion

3. Midterm

4. Final Exam

Textbook(s) (Typical):

High Mountains and Deep Valleys, Lew and Clark, Western Trails Publications

Special Student Materials: None

hp 11/94, Revised: 8/95

a:GEO11CO.CON