Fall 2025 Course Syllabus Course: GEOL-1304 (Section: 1C, CRN: 92985) Historical Geology

Instructor Information
Instructor	Karen Stelly
Email	stellyks@lamarpa.edu
Phone	(409) 984-6341
Office	Educational I - Room: 133
Office Hours	None
Additional Contact Information
Course Information
Description	A comprehensive survey of the history of life and major events in the physical development of Earth as interpreted from rocks and fossils.
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. Earth Through Time 11th ed; Levin and King, ISBN 978-1-119-22834-9
Additional Materials/Resources	None
Corequisites/Prerequisites	GEOL-1303 Physical Geology GEOL-1303 Physical Geology (lecture)
Learning Outcomes	Describe how the application of the scientific method has led to our current understanding of Earth history. Explain the historical development of Geology as a science and how it was influenced by early interpretations of fossils and the theory of evolution. Communicate how principles of relative and numerical age dating have been used to develop the Geologic Time Scale. Describe the processes involved in the formation and differentiation of the Earth and identify major milestones in the physical evolution of the planet. Identify the major milestones in the evolution of life from its initial inorganic stages, through development of the major animal and plant groups, to mass extinctions. Explain how rocks and fossils are used to interpret ancient environments. Identify the major tectonic events in the geologic evolution of North America.
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.
Lecture Topics Outline	Science of Historical Geology Early Geologists tackle histories mysteries Time and geology Rocks and minerals: Documents that record Earth's history sedimentary archives Life on earth: what do fossils reveal? Plate tectonics underlies all earth history Earth's formative stages and the Archean eon Proterozoic: Dawn of a more modern world Early Paleozoic events Late Paleozoic events Paleozoic life Mesozoic events Mesozoic life Cenozoic events Cenozoic life Human Origins
Major Assignments Schedule	Week 3 Assignment 1 Week 4 Test 1 Week 7 Assignment 2 Week 8 Test 2 Week 10 Assignment 3 Week 11 Test 3 Week 13 Assignment 4 Week 14 Test 4 Week 15 Final exam
Final Exam Date	December 4, 2025 - 8:00 AM   Through  December 4, 2025 - 7:59 PM
Grading Scale	90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B  70 - 79=C   60 - 69=D  Below 59 = F
Determination of Final Grade	Assignments 25% Tests 50% Final Exam 25%
Course Policies
Instructor Policies	None
Attendance Policy	None
Additional Information	None
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