A printable PDF version of this syllabus is available here.

GEOL 1: The Earth
Spring 2021 Course Syllabus

Instructor Contact Information

Rebecca Perlroth

Email (preferred method of contact):  rperlroth@santarosa.edu

I typically respond to email messages within 24 hours (may be longer on weekends or holidays).

Virtual Office Hours:    Mon-Thurs 10-11am; Additional times available most days by appointment

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to rocks, minerals, landforms and the dynamic processes that shape the Earth.  Course includes the study of plate tectonics, volcanoes, earthquakes, and surface processes such as deserts, shorelines and glaciers.

While not required, there is an optional lab component to this course, GEOL 1L. Together these two courses fulfill the GE science requirement with lab. The lab is a hands-on companion to the lecture, and delves more deeply into many of the topics. Taken concurrently, they can enhance one another, though you may opt to enroll in the lab in a future semester.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Apply scientific methodologies and principles to answer scientific questions.
2. Describe and identify Earth materials and landforms.
3. Identify and explain processes that formed and continue to shape the landscape.
4. Recognize the complex interplay between humans and the environment.

Required materials

The required textbook is Essentials of Geology, 6th Edition, by Stephen Marshak. You can locate and order textbooks online via the SRJC Bookstore, the publisher (WWNorton), or another online site. You may order bound, soft cover copies or unbound loose-leaf options, or opt for the ebook, so long as you actually complete the readings!

ISBN-13: 978-0393667530

ISBN-10: 0393667537

Any additional and/or optional readings will be available online from within the Canvas modules, either as online text, or available for download via PDFs or outside web pages.

Attendance and Dropping the Class

Online courses turn the idea of attendance on its head. Online, you can "attend" class in your pajamas at 2 am in the morning, or sitting by the pool on a sunny day. Attendance is not marked by your body in a classroom, but rather by your participation within the class activities. 

Here are the brief "guidelines" we will follow to structure participation:

• check-in with your instructor regularly;
• complete assignments due Sunday evenings;
• check in ahead of time if you are going to be disconnected from the course for more than 5 days. 

While some courses are self-paced, this course follows a weekly schedule. Each week you will interact with your instructor and the course, and complete a series of quizzes and assignments. The weekly schedule allows us to learn from one another, and it keeps everyone on a path toward our learning goals.

With each of your assignments, I will provide grades and feedback, which opens another opportunity for revision, learning, and growth. Working within our weekly schedule allows both you and me to plan our time.

The course is designed to take about 6-10 hours per week. Please plan to log in to the course a few times each week—we have regular due dates for assignments on Sundays.

Your participation is an important part of your success of this course, but I also recognize that we each have our own family and friends, and, because we are human, sometimes we are just swamped or under the weather. If for whatever reason you can't meet a deadline, please contact me—we will work together to make a path to success. 

If you decide to drop this course, it is your responsibility to officially drop it. Please maintain regular contact with your instructor if you need to miss more than one homework deadline to avoid being dropped by the instructor.

Evaluation and Grading

You will be evaluated by exams and homework assignments completed during the semester. There are 400 points possible in this class; points are distributed as follows:

• Midterm exams: 60 points each (x3 = 180 pts)
• Homework assignments: worth 20 points each unit (x11 modules = 220 pts)
• Extra Credit: earn extra points as opportunities come available

Homework Assignments:

You will complete various assignments that include objective questions, problem solving, written questions, and labeling of diagrams. You may earn up to 20 points for each module. Plagiarism is not tolerated. If you copy from another source, including the textbook, internet or other students, you will not receive credit. It is your responsibility to keep track of and complete the assignments by the due dates. Assignments are worth about half of your final score, therefore you cannot pass the course if you do not successfully complete the majority of the online assignments.  All assignments are due at 11:59 PM on the due date. Late submissions will be accepted but will be penalized by losing points 10% each day they are late. Assignments within each section will remain open until the week of the exam.

Questions within quizzes and assignments have indicated point values. Please review these point values before submitting your work to ensure you have addressed all the required elements of the assignment. If your work is submitted on time, I will make every effort to review and comment on your work within a few days.  You are encouraged to review all feedback so you know what you missed and why, and so you can learn from your mistakes.

Exams:

There will be 3 midterm exams during the semester, worth 60 points each. Exams will test your understanding of the material covered in that segment of the course and your ability to explain concepts in writing.

You will have 1 week in which to study for and start each exam, but exams are timed, so once you begin, you will have only a limited window to complete the test (if you have DRD accommodations, please be sure to make required arrangements with me in advance).

Cheating is not tolerated at any time, and will result in no credit for the exam.

Extra Credit:

It is highly recommended that you take advantage of these opportunities as they arise. They will add to your score, and will help you prepare for upcoming assignments and exams.

Grades

Click the “Grades” link in Canvas to keep track of your grades. As grades come in, I will post them, along with comments as needed in the Canvas gradebook.

Grades will be assigned as follows:

A: 90+%       (>360 points)

B: 80-89%     (320-359 points)

C: 65-79%     (260-319 points)

D: 55-64%     (220-259 points)

F: less than 55% (< 220 points)

Notes: D and F are not passing grades.  If taking Pass/No Pass, you need to earn at least 65% of the total class points (more than 260 out of 400 points) in order to pass.

Standards of Conduct

Students who register in SRJC classes are required to abide by the SRJC Student Conduct Standards. Violation of the Standards is basis for referral to the Vice President of Student Services or dismissal from class or from the College. See the Rights and Responsibilities.

Copying of tests or homework in whole or in part will be considered an act of academic dishonesty and result in a grade of 0 for that test or assignment. Students are encouraged to share information and ideas, but not their work.

Suggestions for Success

• Devote the time necessary to succeed in this course - do the assigned reading, review lecture videos, take advantage of online and textbook resources, study for exams, complete the required assignments. Everyone can succeed in this class, so set high expectations and then work hard to meet them.

• Stay on top of the material the entire course. You should expect to spend 6-10 hours per week to complete the required reading, studying, and assignments.

• Do not ever hesitate to ask questions (in a respectful manner). Class participation is encouraged. Get to know your instructor and your classmates. Regular communication with the instructor will earn you extra credit! 

Access and Accommodations

Every effort is made to support inclusive learning environments. If there are aspects of the instruction or design of this course that result in barriers to your inclusion or to accurate assessment of achievement—such as time-limited exams, inaccessible web content, or the use of non-captioned videos—please notify the instructor as soon as possible. Students are also welcome to contact the Disability Resources Department (DRD). DRD is a resource for students that provides authorization for academic accommodations, training and access to assistive technology, and collaborates on strategies for academic success.

Tentative Schedule

Week of:	Topic	Reading
2/1	Introduction, Geology, and the Earth	Prelude, Ch 1 and Interlude D
2/8	Plate Tectonics	Ch 2
2/15	Minerals and the Rock Cycle	Ch 3  and Interludes A & C
2/22	Exam #1
3/1	Igneous Rocks	Ch 4
3/8	Volcanoes	Ch 5
3/15	Sedimentary Rocks	Interlude B and Ch 6
3/22	SPRING BREAK
3/29	Metamorphic Rocks and Geologic Structures	Ch 7 & 9
4/5	Exam #2
4/12	Earthquakes	Ch 8
4/19	Geologic Time, Absolute Age	Ch 10
4/26	Shaping Earth's Surface: Coastlines	Ch 15
5/3	Shaping Earth's Surface: Glaciers	Ch 18
5/10	Exam #3