Course Syllabus
Course: GEO 1220
Division: Natural Science and Math
Department: Geology
Title: Historical Geology
Semester Approved: Fall 2022
Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2027
End Semester: Summer 2028
Catalog Description: This course is an introduction to the principles involved in deciphering the earth's past including the study of fossils. It will also cover the major physical and biological events in the earth's history. This course is designed for geology majors. A field trip will be required.
Semesters Offered: Spring
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 3; Lab: 0
Prerequisites: GEO 1110 or 1010 or permission of instructor
Corequisites: GEO 1225
Justification: This course is the second in a sequence of courses designed for first year geology majors. It is required in all geology programs as a pre-requisite for many other successive courses for geology majors. It also serves as a course to introduce the study of fossils and earth history for students interested in these topics. This course is designed to transfer as GEO 1220 at other public colleges in the Utah system of higher education.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Explain and apply the basic principles of historical geology such as actualism, superposition, stratigraphic correlation, relative dating, absolute dating, facies, etc in the classroom and in the field. This will be assessed by homework/quizzes, midterms, and field exercises
Describe the historical development of the science of geology including the development of the geologic time scale and methods of dating. This will be assessed by homework/quizzes and midterms.
Identify and classify the characteristic organisms, rock types, and sedimentation patterns of common depositional environments and use this information to interpret the rock record. This will be assessed by homework/quizzes, midterms, field exercises, and final exam/project.
Explain the theory of plate tectonics and how tectonic processes can explain the evolution of continents (including mountain-building events) and ocean basins over geologic time. Emphasis will be placed on the geologic history of North America. This will be assessed by homework/quizzes, midterms, final exam/project.
Describe the evolutionary history of life on earth and how major diversification and extinction events are tied to interactions between the biosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and atmosphere. This will be assessed on midterm exams and the final exam/project.
Content:
This course is an introduction to the study of earth history. This course will include discussion of:• Basic Principles of Historical Geology (and their origins)• Sedimentary Environments• Environments and Life• Absolute Dating of Rocks• Relative Dating of Rocks and Correlation • Classification of Life/Fossils• Evolution and the Fossil Record• Plate Tectonics and Mountain Building• The Origin and Early History of the Solar System and Earth• The Origin of Life• The Rock and Fossil Record of the Archean Eon• The Rock and Fossil Record of the Proterozoic Eon• The Rock and Fossil Record of the Paleozoic Era• The Rock and Fossil Record of the Mesozoic Era• The Rock and Fossil Record of the Cenozoic Era.The pioneering work and struggles of researchers from marginalized groups (e.g., Mary Anning), the role of colonialism in paleontology, and other ethical dilemmas in the field will be highlighted where appropriate to bring these issues (present in many scientific fields) to students' attention.
Key Performance Indicators:
Midterm Exams 25 to 35%
Final Exam or Project 15 to 20%
Homework/Quizzes 30 to 50%
Field Trip(s) 10 to 20%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
J."Visualizing Earth History" by Loren Babcock current edition.
Pedagogy Statement:
Instructors will use lectures, demonstrations, discussions, and group work to engage and encourage learning. Instructors will work to become aware of the negative or oppressive experiences of marginalized students. They will demonstrate caring through attitude, expectations, and behavior. They will make an effort to learn students' names, learn about their backgrounds and social identities, and include their unique perspectives. Instructors will provide constructive feedback. They will foster opportunities for group work and peer-to-peer interaction.
Instructional Mediums:
Lecture
Maximum Class Size: 20
Optimum Class Size: 12
