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Geology 215 HISTORY OF LIFE |
Generic Syllabus
(Colgate students, please see updated syllabus on Blackboard)
| Instructor: | Dr. Constance M. Soja |
| Office: | Ho 342-343; x 7200 |
| Lectures: | 0955-1110 T Th |
| Office hours: | 0830-0930 T Th, or by appointment |
| Textbook: | Ausich, W.I. and Lane, L.G. 1999.
Life of the Past. (4th ed.).
Prentice Hall |
| Place: Earth |
| Time:
Antiquity to the Present A "Play" in Four Acts |
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click here for Lectures, Exams, and Reading Assignments |
| The "Discussion Exercises" are purposely constructed so that you will have the opportunity to work collaboratively on designing hypotheses and using real geological specimens or math to test ideas or questions posed. For example, these discussion periods will reveal how fossils are preserved, why differing preservational potentials have an impact on what we know about the Earth's past inhabitants, and how geologists work with a partial record of the Earth's past. These reinforcing exercises will demonstrate how the scientific process works, especially in the face of an incomplete data set. In other exercises, you will become experienced in applying principles of scientific reasoning by undertaking what geologists must to reconstruct Earth history. In essence, these exercises are designed to give you direct experience with fossils and geologic samples as well as the opportunity to debate and critique major concepts in earth science. These classroom sessions will also be opportunities to explore how scientific conclusions are reaches, the relevance of science to contemporary issues, and illuminate why the same body of evidence can generate heated debates in science. |
The course grade will be determined from the cumulative score you earn
on a midterm, discussion and jigsaw exercises, field trip, comprehensive final, presentation,
and participation. Discussion exercises and the Saturday morning field trip are designed to
complement the material covered in lecture and to help you gain experience with fossils and
other geological materials. Points will be awarded as follows:
Exams will consist of a variety of questions, including essays,
short answers, sketching or labeling diagrams, and those associated with projected slide images
of geological features. These academic opportunities are designed to test your understanding and application
of knowledge explored in lectures, readings, and discussions.
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