FUNDAMENTALS of GEOLOGY
8 - 9:40 AM TR, room 3045 BOL (3051 BOL for Exploring exercises)
Texts: Monroe & Wicander, The Changing Earth (4rd
edition)
Hall-Wallace
et al., Exploring the Dynamic Earth (meets in 3051 BOL)
NEW - On-line chapter tests at WebCT - here's how
Links Dr.D. thinks are worth viewing
You MUST purchase the bundle from the campus bookstore. This bundle includes not only both textbooks but also an electronic 'clicker' that will be used during lectures for pop quiz questions, opinion polls, attendance and other interactive "ask the audience" slides integrated into each lecture. Any $ you save by purchasing from Amazon.com will probably be more than eaten up when you have to purchase the clicker separately.
[4 hours] Consideration of earth materials and the dynamic external and internal processes active on earth; the physical and biological history of the earth.
We have 30 classroom meetings scheduled. Monroe & Wicander has 24 chapters, and Hall-Wallace has 5 chapters. We will cover about 1 chapter per class meeting. It is your responsibility to read each chapter and attempt the multiple choice questions at the end of that chapter prior to attending the lecture on that topic. Because there is more time between Thursday and Tuesday than between Tuesday and Thursday, you might consider reading ahead over weekends. Some class meetings will take place in the computer lab (3051 BOL).
Last year, students suggested (in evaluations) more breaks from lecture for discussion. I am all for that - but it is your responsibility to bring up penetrating questions or concepts for discussion and be willing to discuss them openly. What would you do? and Perspectives (particularly those that deal with geological interactions with society - see textbook) are good starting points. As you study a chapter prior to the scheduled lecture covering that chapter, spend some time thinking about these inserts. Discuss them with other students, seek relevant information on-line from the textbook. Write down your questions (technical points you might like me to address) and, when this issue is raised in class, volunteer to speak. My part in such discussions will be as Chair: recognizing speakers, keeping the discussion on topic, providing technical points, and cutting off filibusters. You part is sharing the fruits of your critical thinking.
Evaluation:
Written assignments and the Exploring the Dynamic Earth workbook: 30%.
Midterm: 20%
Participation: 20%
Final exam: 30%
Virtually all grades of D and F in EEES 2100 are associated with excessive absence and obvious lack of effort.
We will have a Midterm and a Final. I will also evaluate your workbooks (Hall-Wallace et al.). I expect students to attend class and read each chapter prior to attending the lecture scheduled on that chapter. More than 3 unexcused absences will reduce the missing person's final grade one letter. More than 6 unexcused absences will reduce the missing person's final grade 2 letters. If you are late but your clicker still registers present during part of the class, you will not be counted absent. If you forget your clicker, SEE ME!