Instructor: Paula Messina
Course Objectives: The Earth Sciences
are among the most dynamic of scientific disciplines, with recent technologies
yielding new discoveries, hypothesis-revisions, and paradigm-shifts. While
geology, geography, meteorology, oceanography, and astronomy surround us,
many Americans unfortunately lack a working knowledge of these fields.
In K-12 curricula and standards, the Earth Sciences frequently pale in
focus and scope to the more traditional physical and life sciences. The
objectives of this course are to familiarize the participants with the
background required to understand basic Earth Systems, and to enable communication
of this knowledge to others using inquiry-based methods.
Readings: Readings for this class will
be announced prior to each session.
Assessment:
Attendance: You are expected to attend
every class session. Please call or send e-mail if an emergency arises
that prevents you from attending class.
Please note: It is the policy
of the University and this Department that a course may not be dropped
after February 14, 2000. After February 14, dropping a course is permissible
only for serious and compelling reasons. See Schedule of Classes
for details.
Office: DH 307
Phone: 408/924-5027
E-Mail: pmessina@geosun.sjsu.edu
Home Page: http://geosun.sjsu.edu/~pmessina
Office Hours: Wednesday, Thursday
1:30 - 3:00 PM, and by appointment
Course Home Page: http://geosun.sjsu.edu/paula/255/
Participation, Evaluation 20%
Grading Policy: Evaulation of class presentations
and WWW projects will be averaged grades of all participants.
Class Presentation(s) 40%
Final Project:
WWW based version of class presentation(s)
40%
Any changes to this schedule will be announced
in class, and posted on the class website.
| Date | Topic | Presenter |
| 01/26/00 | Introductions, review of greensheet, selection of topics, historical landmarks in geology | Paula Messina |
| 02/02/00 | Paradigm Shift: Plate Tectonic Theory Jigsaw | Paula Messina |
| 02/09/00 | Geologic Fundamentals: The Laws of Cross-Cutting Relationships and Superposition | Paula Messina |
| 02/16/00 | Field Trip to USGS Educators' Library | Phil Stoffer, USGS Librarian |
| 02/23/00 | How to Make a Web Page: HTML | Paula Messina |
| 03/01/00 | (Field Trip Release Time) | |
| 03/08/00 | Emerging Geologic Mapping Technologies on Earth and Other Planets | Paula Messina |
| 03/15/00 | Remembering the Loma Prieta Earthquake | Elisa Webb |
| 03/22/00 | Ozone Depletion: Curse or Blessing? | Debbie Curley |
| 04/05/00 | Acid Mine Drainage | Jim Harriss |
| 04/12/00 | Earthquakes | Christina Manganaro |
| 04/19/00 | Reconstructing the Past from the Present: Paleobiogeography | Lara Sox |
| 04/26/00 | Global Warming: Fact or Fiction? | Laura Brun |
| 05/03/00 | 15-minute field trip share-a-thon | Class |
| 05/10/00 | Class Web Page Presentations | Group |