Spring 2019 Course Syllabus Course: GEOL-1304- Section: 71 Historical Geology

Instructor Information
Instructor	Karen Stelly
E-mail	stellyks@lamarpa.edu
Phone	(409) 984-6341
Office	Location: Education Annex - Room: 133 Hours: By phone: 409-554-3493 Sunday - Saturday 9 am-6 pm Central Time
Department	General Education and Developmental Studies Chair: Dr. Michelle Davis E-mail: davisml1@lamarpa.edu Phone: (409) 984-6341
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.
Prerequisites	Prerquisites: GEOL 1303 or 1403 Physical Geology Co-requisite: GEOL 1104 Historical Geology Laboratory
Learning Outcomes	Describe how the application of the scientific method has led out 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 staged, 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 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. Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Textbooks	Evolution of the Earth, 8th edition, Prothero and Dott, McGraw Hill, ISBN 9780072826845
Lecture Topics Outline	Chapter 1: Time and terrestrial change Chapter 2: Floods, fossils, and heresies Chapter 3: Evolution Chapter 4: Relative geologic time scale Chapter 5: Numerical dating of the Earth Chapter 6: Origin and early evolution of Earth Chapter 7: Mountain building and drifting continents Chapter 8: Precambrian history Chapter 9: Early life and its patterns Chapter 10: Early Paleozoic Chapter 11: Later Ordovician Chapter 12: Middle Paleozoic Chapter 13: Late Paleozoic Chapter 14: Mesozoic Chapter 15: Cenozoic Chapter 16: Pleistocene Glaciation
Major Assignments Schedule	GEOL_1304_71_201910_P00344370.pdf
Final Exam Date	May 8, 2019 - 12:00 AM   Through  May 12, 2019 - 11:59 PM
Grading Scale	90 - 100 = A 80 - 89 = B 70 - 79 = C 60 - 69 = D Below 59 = F
Determination of Final Grade	Assessment type    Number of assessments    Points each assessment    Total available points Lecture assignments     4     50     200 Discussion      4     50     200 Tests      4     100     400 Final exam     1     200     200
Course Policies
Instructor Policies	Late Policy: All assignments and tests have due dates posted. Any work submitted within 7 days after the due date will have a 10% penalty assessed, and between 8-14 days late will have a 20% penalty assessed. No work will be accepted after 14 days without permission of instructor prior to the original due date. Make-up Policy: The late policy applies to all assignments and tests. Discussion Rules: Response to discussion question is due no later than Thursday of each discussion week. Student must reply to three fellow learners responses each discussion week. The DQ response is worth 20 points, and each reply to classmate is worth 10 points each. DQ responses posted between Friday and Sunday will lose 1 point per day. DQ responses posted after discussion week will not be awarded points.
Attendance Policy	Attendance: Your attendance will be considered by discussion, posting of assignments, and taking tests.
Academic Honesty	Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSC-PA policies (Section IX, subsection A, in the Faculty Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
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.
Important Information
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 the Office for Disability Services Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
MyLamarPA	Be sure to check your campus E-mail and Course Homepage using MyLamarPA campus web portal (My.LamarPA.edu). When you've logged in, click the email icon in the upper right-hand corner to check email, or click on the "My Courses" tab to get to your Course Homepage. Click the link to your course and review the information presented. It is important that you check your email and Course Homepage regularly. You can also access your grades, transcripts, and determine who your academic advisor is by using MyLamarPA.
Other	I expect all work will be original by the person whose name is on the submitted assignment. If working in groups, there should still be originality in explanations, such that I can determine if you understand the material or not.
HB 2504	This syllabus is part of LSC-PA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.