PERS 2470A, "Reading the Earth," Fall, 2008

“Reading the Earth” Fall Semester, 2008 Dr. Donald Thieme

Meeting Time: 11:00-11:50 PM MW BSc 1024 Office: 2046 Nevins Hall

Department of Physics, Astronomy, and Geosciences, Valdosta State University Office Hours: TR 10:00-11:50; W 3:00-4:50

Email: dmthieme@valdosta.edu Phone: 333-5752 (or by appointment)

Web Site: http://www.valdosta.edu/~dmthieme

Course Materials

McPhee, John, 1990, The Control of Nature. Farrar, Straus & Giroux.

Hillel, Daniel, 1992, Out of the Earth. University of California Press.

AAPG, 1995, Geological Highway Map, Southeastern Region.

Bates, Robert L., and Jackson, Julia A., 1981, Dictionary of Geological Terms. AGI (recommended).

Course Overview

“Reading the Earth” (PERS 2470) is one of eleven course options in Area 4 – Perspectives on the Environment and Physical World. The course will introduce you to earth science as well as other ways of “Reading the Earth” from the humanities and social sciences. Lecture topics will include Earth as a Planet, Plate Tectonics, Earth History, Volcanoes and Earthquakes, Oceans and Coastal Processes, Soils, Hydrology, Marshes, Agricultural Land Use, and Flooding on Rivers and Coasts. Regional examples will be used to foster general geographical knowledge of North America, and the Southeastern United States in particular. There will be ten “Case Study” projects in which a group of 5-6 students will teach us all for an entire class period. Case Study Topics are listed on the detailed course schedule posted on Vista WebCT and at http://www.valdosta.edu/~dmthieme/Syllabi/2470_Schedule.htm.

Learning Objectives

Students who successfully complete “Reading the Earth” should have acquired –

- a strong grasp of fundamental scientific concepts about the Earth;

- detailed knowledge about the geology and landforms of Georgia and the southeastern United States;

- confidence in speaking and writing about earth science topics through a group project about a particular Case Study;

- familiarity with the quality and quantity of geological and geographical information available both in the Odum library and through the internet and other computer resources

The knowledge and skills acquired through successfully completion of PERS 2470 can provide a “gateway” into our Environmental Geosciences major in the Department of Physics, Astronomy, and Geosciences at Valdosta State University. The Environmental Geosciences major is designed to:

- provide knowledge and skills required to analyze environmental questions and recommend solutions

- prepare students to enter graduate programs in geography, planning, and related fields, or to embark upon careers in industry, government, or education

Grading

Each student will earn a maximum of 100 points for their participation in a “Case Study” project. Of the possible 100 points awarded each student for their Case Study, 40 points will be awarded to the entire group of 5-6 students based upon evaluations by the other students attending class that day.

There will be four hour long exams worth 100 points each but no final exam in this course. Make up exams will only be given in the case of extreme circumstances. Illness will only be considered a valid excuse if you can provide a doctor’s note stating that you were too ill to attend the test. Attendance will be taken at most class meetings and will be worth a maximum of 20 points, one point per class roll signed. There will be four homework assignments worth 10 points each (40 points total). There will also be four video question sets worth 10 points each (40 points total). A total of 600 points will be possible during the course of the semester. Final grades will be based upon the following scale:

Percentage	Points	Grade
90-100	541-600	A
80-90	481-540	B
70-80	421-480	C
60-70	361-420	D
<60	<361	F

Attendance Policy

Valdosta State University expects that all students shall regularly attend all scheduled class meetings held for instruction or examination. If you know that you are going to miss class, and particularly if you need to reschedule an examination, you should immediately contact me by email, phone, or in person. If you miss more than five (5) classes, 20% of the scheduled classes for this course, you will be subject to receive a failing grade in the course. You will receive up to 25 credit points for attendance, as explained above.

Disability Policy

Valdosta State University complies fully with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you believe that you are covered under this act, and if you have need for special arrangements to allow you to meet the requirements of this course, please discuss this with me during the first week of class. If you have not already done so, please also register with the Access Office for Students with Disabilities in Nevins Hall, 245-2498.

Student Success Center

Valdosta State University provides a Student Success Center in Langdale Hall to support good students who want to achieve excellence as well as those who feel they are struggling. Peer tutoring in core curriculum courses such as GEOG 1113K is one of the services provided.

Classroom Conduct

In order to maintain a good learning environment, rude or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. You will be asked to leave the class if your behavior is deemed inappropriate. The following are considered rude and disruptive:

(1) consistently late for class

(2) private conversations during lectures and discussions

(3) lack of attention during lectures and discussions

(4) habitually leave and return to class

Academic Honesty Policy

It is a part of your education to learn responsibility and self-discipline. Valdosta State University expects its students to obey all regulations: national, state, local, and those of the college. It is particularly important that you comply with our regulations on cheating and plagiarism while a student here at Valdosta State University.

Cheating includes any attempt to defraud, deceive, or mislead the instructor in arriving at an honest grade assessment. Plagiarism is a form of cheating that involves presenting as one's own work the ideas or work of another.

All portions of any test, project, or final exam submitted by you for a grade must be your own work, unless you are instructed to work collaboratively. Specific requirements will be described for collaborative projects, but all work presented must be the work of members of that group. Research materials used must be properly cited.

Any student found by the instructor to have engaged in academic misconduct on a graded test, assignment, or examination may be assigned a zero for that assignment, assigned an F in the course, and/or reported to the Dean of Students office. The VSU Student Handbook describes the regulations governing these procedures.

Cell Phone Policy

Please turn your cell phone ringer off or set it on vibrate when you enter the classroom. If your cell phone or beeper goes off during class, I may insist that you leave the classroom or give me the device until class is finished for the day. When you are taking a test in my class, you are not to have a cell phone anywhere within view. Unless there is some exceptional emergency, please leave your cell phone at home, in your car, or with a friend when you come to class on test day. If I find you using a cell phone or looking at the screen during a test, I will have to assume that you are cheating on my test.

Equal Opportunity Statement

No person shall, on the grounds of race, color, sex, religion, creed, national origin, age or disability, be excluded from employment or participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity conducted by Valdosta State University.