What is this
course about?
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This is a course about the earth: its composition, structure, and dynamics. Our understanding of the way the earth works is based in the scientific method and requires that our interpretations be consistent with the fundamental laws of nature. But geologists are motivated equally by an appreciation for the sheer beauty of landscapes, a sense of awe at the vast scope of geologic time, and a healthy respect for the titanic forces at work at the earth's surface and in the earth's interior. They also are notorious for their tendency to add new terminology to the language, and for this reason it is almost impossible to study geology without having to study a whole new vocabulary. The objective of the course is to change the way that you think about the world we live in. At least once a week and hopefully more often, I hope you will be able to come away from class having been exposed to something new that changes your perspective on the world around you. In addition I want you to be able to fit the topics we discuss into a logical, coherent structure. The practice of geology is a kind of detective work, requiring the geologist to construct a story that fits the available fragments of evidence. Ideas are refined by repeated testing, which often involves arguments between competing points of view at scientific conferences or out in the field. The prerequisites for success include a sense of curiosity, a good imagination, and a healthy skepticism. I don't expect you to become a geologist as a result of this course, but I hope you will learn to appreciate something of the geologist's view of the world. The list of topics discussed in our textbook is encyclopedic, as is
also true for most basic geology textbooks. There is no way we can possibly
cover everything. The syllabus doesn't include the whole book but it does
encompass a large number of subjects, and the only way to get through everything
on the list is to proceed quickly. Although the syllabus is ambitious,
it is only a road map, a plan, and not a guarantee. Rather than stay on
the expressway, we will occasionally veer onto the side roads and slow
down to take a look at something interesting in more detail. And on occasion
during the semester some new discovery or some catastrophic geologic event
- an earthquake, a volcanic eruption, a landslide or a flood - may come
to our attention, and we may choose to focus on this as a learning opportunity.
If this means that we don't get to everything on the syllabus, so be it.
I promise to keep you informed with regard to the topics for which you
are responsible on exams. By the same token, I expect you to attend class
and to keep up with assignments. Class discussions and assigned readings
will complement each other, but you will miss a substantial amount of material
if you skip class often and choose only to read the book. The same will
be true if you attend class without reading the book. It is your responsibility
to stay in touch with where we are in the course and what we are doing.
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