GS-1153-honors Fall 2002
Tentative Syllabus
<![if
!supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>
Course website: http:
//
www2.mcdaniel.edu/Chemistry/woodpage.htm
<![if
!supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>
course
listserv: wood1153 To subscribe email majordomo@noma.mcdaniel.edu
(note, domain name to be updated)
subscribe wood1153 yourusername
<![if
!supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>
Date
Completed
Subject/Reading Assignment
(anticipated)
(Chapt. in Understanding Wood)
8/26
Taxonomy (Chapter 1)
9/6
Tree growth
9/11
Tree cell structure
9/11
Transport in trees
9/16
Wood ultrastructure
9/18
Figure in wood (Chapt.
2)
9/20
Other properties (Chapt.
5)
9/23
Identifying wood (Chapt.
3)
Test #1 (9/24)
10/9
Strength of wood (Chapt. 4)
10/25
Machining wood (Chapt. 9)
10/28
Sharpening edges
11/6
Water and wood (Chapt. 6)
11/8
Wood movement (Chapt. 7, 8)
Test #2 (11/9)
11/15
Substances in wood
11/22
Finishing wood (Chapt. 12)
11/25
The Village Carpenter
12/2
Diary of an Early American Boy
12/4
Wood poetry
12/6
Debate of the Carpenter’s Tools
Texts:
R. Bruce Hoadley, Understanding
Wood, 2nd ed.; Walter
Rose, The Village Carpenter;
Eric Sloan, Diary of an Early American Boy; Anonymous, Debate of the Carpenter’s
Tools
<![if
!supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>
<![if
!supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>
<![if
!supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>
Point Distribution
Tests (2) 200
labs 100
Paper 100
Final 100
TOTAL 500
<![if
!supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>
<![if
!supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>
Tests: Note on the above syllabus that the material
covered by a particular test ends with (includes) the underlined
subject.
Final:
The Final will either be a comprehensive test or a 15 min
presentation of the paper. This
issue will be decided later in the semester.
<![if
!supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>
Your final grade for the course will be based on a standard 90%(A), 80%(B), 70%(C), 60&(D) cutoff basis (modified by the standard <3.33 minus, >6.66 plus). Percentages will be calculated as (your total/total possible) x 100. For example, if you get 623 points (77.9%) total, your grade would be a C+.
See the syllabus for the point value of each portion of the course. Please note, however, that this is a new course, so the syllabus (dates and points) is somewhat tentative. There may be changes, but you will be given ample advance notice of any changes.
<![if
!supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>
Dates for labs are on course calendar.
<![if
!supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>
Lab
Topic
Points
Tree Identification 20
Figure Mini-lab 5
Phys. Properties Mini-lab 5
Hardwood identification 25
Chisels and Planes 10
Sharpening 20
Shrinkage Mini-lab 5
Finishing Lab 10
Total 100
<![if
!supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>
Lab reports are due
either at the end of the lab day or the next class day.
For purpose of late labs, the day ends at 4:30 pm. Late labs receive -25% of the
total point value for each week the report is late.
<![if
!supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>
Note that, due to the
nature of the experiment or limited equipment, some labs may require
you to come in at other than scheduled times to complete your work.
<![if
!supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>
<![if
!supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>
Working with wood working tools is dangerous. Be sure to wear safety glasses (provided by instructor if you don’t wear glasses) at all times.
<![if
!supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>
Almost all woodworking tools are very sharp. Use extreme caution and follow the proper safety procedures for the particular piece of equipment. For the most part you will be using hand tools. The best rule to follow is: never allow any part of your body (for example fingers) to be in front of the direction of motion of the blade.
<![if
!supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>
While we expect to have fun in labs, irresponsible behavior puts yourself and others at risk. Horseplay will not be tolerated. If you violate this rule, you are likely to be expelled from the lab and will receive a 0 for that lab.
Never work in the lab/shop alone.
<![if
!supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>
If you are working with power tools, do not wear loose fitting clothing as it can become entangled in the tool.
Do not wear sandals in the shop.
If you happen to cut yourself, immediately report the accident to the instructor. If the instructor is not available, either immediately go to the Nurse at Smith House or, if bleeding is extensive, put pressure on the wound and call Campus Safety (ext. 202).
<![if
!supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>
Paper
<![if
!supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>
Important Deadlines:
week 9
Topic of Paper Due (5
points)
week 10
Outline
of Paper Due (5 points)
week 14
Paper
due (90 points)
<![if
!supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>
<![if
!supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>
A research paper of roughly 10 pages in length (Palatino 12, 1.5 spaced) on some subject related to the course content. The subject is open, but must be approved by the instructor by Tuesday of Week 9. It would be wise to explore your ideas with the instructor in advance of this date. The following week on Tuiesday an outline is required to be submitted. The main purpose of this outline check is to assure that the paper is going in an acceptable direction.
Some previous suggested subjects (most need to be narrowed):
The Bodger in English Society
The History of Greenwood Crafts in Appalachia
Trees as Metaphors in Literature
The Carpenter in Literature
The Culture Surrounding the Baobob Tree
The History of the Axe
Trees and Early American Flags
History of the Trees of WMC
<![if
!supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>
As with all courses at WMC, the Honor System applies to all graded work in the class and lab. Be sure that you carefully ready the Honor Code booklet so that you understand the actions that are considered to be honor infractions. Actually the rules simply come down the fact that your work is supposed to be your own. Submitting anyone else’s work as your own (without giving proper credit to the source) is an honor infraction, as is obtaining any unauthorized aid in completing your work. You should know ahead of time that your instructor will recommend an automatic F in the course for any and all infractions of the Code, irrespective of how small.
On all tests, quizzes, and papers (includes lab reports and all other graded pieces of work) you are expected to write and sign the entire honor code statement.
“I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this
piece of work, nor have I knowingly tolerated any infraction of the
Honor Code.”
<![if
!supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>
For the purposes of this course, stealing materials (books, tools, wood, supplies, etc.) will be considered an honor offense.
Note that if you observe an infraction and do not report it, you are as guilty of an Honor Code violation as the person who committed the infraction.
You are expected to be in class and lab, and participate. Unexcused absence will lower your grade by as much as 2 points per day. Most single period labs cannot be made up. Tests are given on the days noted on the syllabus. Under no circumstances will make-up tests be given unless an emergency or serious illness occurs, and then only if the instructor is notified and consents in advance (410-857-2491, rhsmith@mcdaniel.edu).