Fall 2025 Course Syllabus
Course: GEOL-1303 (Section: 71D, CRN: 92820)
Physical Geology
LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Karen Stelly
Email stellyks@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6341
Office Educational I - Room: 133
Office Hours Office hours by phone only 10 am to 10 pm Monday to Sunday
Additional Contact Information
Course Information
Description Introduction to the study of the materials and processes that have modified and shaped the surface and interior of Earth over time. These processes are described by theories based on experimental data and geologic data gathered from field observations.
Required Textbooks Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

Textbook for this class is found at https://opengeology.org/textbook/ (It's free!) 
Additional Materials/Resources None
Corequisites/Prerequisites None
Learning Outcomes Describe how the scientific method has led to our current understanding of Earth’s structure and processes.
Interpret the origin and distribution of minerals, rocks and geologic resources.
Describe the theory of plate tectonics and its relationship to the formation and distribution of Earth’s crustal features.
Quantify the rates of physical and chemical processes acting on Earth and how these processes fit into the context of geologic time.
Communicate how surface processes are driven by interactions among Earth’s systems (e.g., the geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere).
Identify and describe the internal structure and dynamics of Earth.
Describe the interaction of humans with Earth (e.g., resource development or hazard assessment)
Core Objectives
* Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and/or visual communication.
* Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions.
* Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Students will demonstrate applications of scientific and mathematical concepts.
* Teamwork: Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view.

Lecture Topics Outline Understanding Science
Plate Tectonics
Minerals
Igneous processes and volcanoes
Weathering and Erosion, and Sedimentary Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
Geologic time 
Crustal Deformation and Earthquakes
Mass Wasting
Water 
Coastlines
Deserts
Glaciers
Global Climate Change
Energy and Mineral Resources 
Major Assignments Schedule Week 2 Discussion 1
Week 4 Assignment 1
Week 5 Test 1
Week 6 Discussion 2
Week 7 Assignment 2
Week 8 Test 2
Week 9 Discussion 3
Week 10 Assignment 3
Week 11 Test 3
Week 13 Discussion 4
Week 15 Group Assignment, Test 4; Final Exam
Final Exam Date December 4, 2025 - 12:0 AM   Through  December 4, 2025 - 11:59 PM
Grading Scale  90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B  70 - 79=C   60 - 69=D  Below 59 = F
Determination of
Final Grade
Discussion 20%
Assignments 20%
Tests 40%
Final Exam 20%
Course Policies
Instructor Policies Any test completed before the associated assignment will lose 10% on said test.
Any deliberate mis-post of assignments to make something look like it is not late will lose 10%
There are specific cutoff dates in the Course Schedule for late work.
Graded work may not be resubmitted for a better grade. Re-do's are not a thing.




Discussion Rules of Engagement:

**Rules do not apply to introductions.

The purpose of discussion is to exchange ideas and demonstrate a deeper level of learning and understanding of the topic. Please carefully review all of these rules and rubric.

Response to discussion question (DQ) is due no later than Thursday of each discussion week (early is always good!). Students must reply to two (2) peers or instructor each discussion week for participation points. Participation posts may be posted any of the 7 days of the given discussion week. The DQ response is worth 30 points, and each reply to peers is worth 10 points each. DQ initial responses posted between Friday and Sunday will lose 1 point per day.    

Point earning responses to the DQ must address each part of the DQ, be as thorough as possible, with a minimum of 100-150 words. Do not go over 250 words. 

Point earning participation posts should be at least 75-100 words long, and may either add something new to the topic you are responding to, or provoke deeper thinking. These can be accomplished by:

  • providing more information followed by sharing a relevant website,
  • present a comparison to the topic you are responding to, then posing a question deeper than 'what do you think,' or 'did you know...'
  • add more detail to the post you are responding to
  • dig deeper to answer a question posed in discussion

Some things that do not constitute substantive are: 

  • Thanking a classmate
  • Agreeing with a classmate
  • Complementing a classmate
  • Repeating what was in the post you are responding to
  • Criticism of another's post
  • Being judgmental
  • Suggesting a classmate should have added X to their post
  • Providing irrelevant commentary.
  • Any part of your discussion post that fits these will not count towards the word/length requirements.

Always support your statements with logic and argument, citing any sources referenced. Post your initial response early and check back often to continue the discussion. Be sure to respond to your peers' and instructor's posts, as well.

A few words about courtesy. We all need to be polite. I don’t think any one of us would like to be the recipient of rudeness. Below are some pointers about proper netiquette: 

  • Know where you are in cyberspace
  • Respect other people's time and bandwidth
  • Make yourself look good online (spelling and grammar count)
  • Share expert knowledge
  • Help keep flame wars under control
  • Respect other people's privacy
  • Be forgiving of other people's mistakes
  • Don’t be judgmental
Attendance Policy Attendance will be noted by submitting discussions, assignments, and tests.
Additional Information
Institutional Policies
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
ADA Considerations The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Facility Policies No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
Clery Act Crime Reporting For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.

Grievance / Complaint / Concern If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
Department Information
General Education and Developmental Studies
Chair:Dr. Steven Zani
Email:zanisj@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6431