Tues. & Thurs.
in GY 126 from 10:10-11:00am

• Steven M. Stanley's "Earth System History" (2nd edition 2005) published by WH Freeman. ISBN 0-7167-3907-0. (Website)
  
• The text provides:
• A narrative of class topics, vital for those whose personal style of learning benefits from reading an explanatory account of course materials
• Supplementary material that extents and augments the concepts considered during lectures, especially in terms of the diversity of the fossil record and the progression of Life on Earth
  
• Please note that the order of topics within the text differs from the sequence followed in the lectures, which focus on examination and interpretation of records preserved in rocks and fossils
  
• Part I of the text (Chapters 1-10) focuses on Material, Processes and Principles. These topics will be addressed within the lectures culminating in evidence concerning the integrative theory of plate tectonics and Earth's evolutionary trends
  
• Part II of the text (Chapters 11-20) chronologically examines Earth history from its formation to the present day. In the lectures examples from different periods of geological time will be used to aid understanding of the principles of interpretation of rock records. This approach emphasizes the continuity of geological processes, modulated by evolutionary changes in Earth's environment and biology.

• Each lecture will explore its prescribed topic (see Resources) using deductive exploration of specific questions about Earth and the rock record
  
• Each topic will focus on a particular series of in-class questions
  
• PDF versions of lecture slides can be downloaded from Oncourse (From a folder entitled "Lecture Materials" within the Group Spaces accessed under In Touch within Oncourse)
  
• Other handouts of reflective in-class questions etc., are avaialable from a similar folder entitled "Handouts."
  

• Written Examinations (32%)
  
• Combination of multiple-choice and short-answer questions.
  
• Exams #1 and #2 (60 pt available, graded out of 48 pt) are each worth 8%. They are scheduled for Oct. 2 and Oct. 30.
  
• The Final Exam (150 pt available, graded out of 120 pt) is worth 16%. It is scheduled for Dec. 13 (12:30-2:30 p.m.)
• On-Line Quizzes (10%)
  
• Combination of multiple-choice and short-answer questions.
• Each quiz (30 pt available, graded out of 25pt) is worth 5%.
  
• Each quiz is timed for 30 min, and can be taken anytime within a one-week window (Oct. 10 - 16 and Nov. 15 - 20)
  
• Lab Classes (48%)
• Each lab class (and the field trip) involves answering of a series of questions following specific protocols, and using the samples and materials provided
• A report for each lab (and the field trip) compiled during class is submitted via Oncourse upon completion prior to the subsequent lab
  
• There are 12 lab classes and field trip assignments that will be graded.
• Each is worth 4%.
• Reflective Questions: Lecture Follow-Up Responses (10%)
  
• On five occasions during the class a series of reflective questions on a designated lecture topic will be assigned via Oncourse. They will be based directly on  questions considered during the lectures
• The timing for these tests is not predetermined, although they will be announced in class and in Oncourse in advance.
  

Assignments>>

Lectures>>

Contacts>>

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Department of Geological Sciences,  1001 E. Tenth Street, Bloomington, IN 47405-1405 Last update: 22 August 2007 Copyright 2007, The Trustees of Indiana University

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