Geol 202: HISTORY OF EARTH (Spring 2004)

Michelle Markley, Clapp 326 / 328a, mmarkley@mtholyoke.edu

This course explores major events in earth history, the interaction of earth systems (lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere), and the design and testing of earth science theories. Four course units are: Causes of Ice Ages (the Quaternary Period), Continental drift and the sedimentary rock record (the Tertiary Period), Causes of Extinctions and Radiations (the Mesozoic and Paleozoic Eras), and Evolution of Earth (the Proterozoic and Archean Eons). Final grades depend on class participation, debates, weekly labs, and two final projects (essays and a poster).

• Synthesize observations on different time scales and from different types of data.

• Evaluate, compare, and formulate theories about the causes of major earth history events.

• Evaluate and compare theories about the linkages between earth systems and processes in the context of deep time.

• Design tests of earth science theories based on:

[20%] Class Participation--preparation (reading), talking, and listening

[30%] Three Debates--oral presentation and written summary

[30%] Labs--each worth same amount

[20%] Midterm and Final Essays--5% each essay

Prothero, Donald R. & Robert H. Dott, Jr., 2004: Evolution of the Earth, 7th Edition (McGraw Hill). ISBN 0-07-252808-7.

Berry, William B. N., 1968: Growth of a Prehistoric Time Scale; Based on Organic Evolution (W. H. Freeman) MHC QE508 B53.

Eicher, Don L., 1976: Geologic Time, 2nd ed. (Prentice-Hall) MHC QE 508 E38 1976.

Harland, W Brian, Richard L. Armstrong, Allan V. Cox, Lorraine E. Craig, Allan G. Smith & David G. Smith, 1990: A Geologic Time Scale 1989 (Cambridge University Press) MHC QE 508 G3956 1990 Folio.

Stanley, Steven M., 1999, Earth System History (W. H. Freeman and Co.)

Thurs. January 29

Tues. February 3

Thurs. February 5

Tues. February 10

Thurs. February 12

Tues. February 17

Thurs. February 19

Tues. February 24

Thurs. February 26

Tues. March 2

Thurs. March 4

Tues. March 9

Thurs. March 11

*Thursday March 11* *TWO ESSAYS Due*

*SPRING BREAK*

Tues. March 23

Thurs. March 25

Tues. March 30

Thurs. April 1

Tues. April 6

Thurs. April 8

Tues. April 13

Thurs. April 15

Tues. April 20

Thurs. April 22

Tues. April 27

Thurs. April 29

Tues. May 4

*Monday May 10* *TWO ESSAYS Due*

MIDTERM AND FINAL ESSAY TOPICS

Choose two topics and write a 200-400 word essay on each. Your essays may not overlap significantly in terms of their content.

1. Compare and contrast two global events, one in deep time and another occurring now. Discuss both events in detail, taking care to compare time scales. Discuss how the linkages between earth systems (lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere) may be different or similar. Predict the outcome of the ongoing event for earth systems in as much detail as you can, using evidence from earth history.

2. Design a test of a hypothesis (or theory) discussed in the text. Clarify the evidence for the hypothesis, and also explain why it is problematic and worth testing. Outline a test based on either the collection of new data from the rock record or a new STELLA model. Predict likely outcomes of your test. In other words, clarify exactly how you expect that your approach will test the hypothesis.

3. Evaluate two or more competing hypotheses (or theories) discussed in the text. Clarify the evidence for the different hypotheses, and also explain to what degree they are compatible or incompatible. Based on either the collection of new data from the rock record or a new STELLA model, outline a test that will allow you to evaluate the hypotheses. Predict likely outcomes of your test. In other words, clarify exactly how you expect that your approach will discriminate between the different hypotheses.

4. Describe new knowledge or a new understanding that you have gained from this course and how you will act upon it, taking care to relate knowledge and actions. Outline your plan in as much detail as possible. Your plan must be substantial (not simply learning more about a given topic, for example). Beware--this is the most difficult question to choose.