ESS 101 A& B

Instructor: Swanson,Terry W

Syllabus:

ESS 101: Introduction to Geology: A Human Perspective (NW/I&S)

Winter 2020

Instructor: Terry Swanson

Office: 161 Johnson Hall

Email: tswanson@u.washington.edu

Web: pita.ess.washington.edu/tswanson

Office Hours: M 10:30–11:20 am and W 9:30–10:30 am (or by appointment).

Course Overview:

After taking this course students will never look at the Earth the same. This course relates the physical processes operating on and the materials that comprise our planet to individuals and society as a whole. Students will apply their scientific knowledge to understand the important relationship between geological processes, materials and hazards to human development and the constraints on modern societies.

Lectures: https://pita.ess.washington.edu/tswanson/ess-101/powerpoint-lectures/

Learning Objectives and Goals:

Understand the basic concepts of how science works through the scientific method and application of earth science to human existence and modern societies. Student will learn to be critical thinkers. After taking this course students will never look at the Earth the same. This course relates the physical processes operating on and the materials that comprise our planet to individuals and society as a whole. Students will learn about how the Earth evolved from primordial dust to form the compositionally zoned planet upon which life now exists. Students will learn about the unifying concept of plate tectonics, which will provide a unifying framework to understand the why, when and where of earthquakes, volcanoes, mountain belts, ocean basins and rock types in their surrounding world. Students will apply their scientific knowledge to understand the important relationship between geological processes, materials and hazards to human development and the constraints on modern societies. Students will become amateur geologists and drive their friends and families crazy with their new-found knowledge. Students will also learn about time and its importance to the geologic record. This course will provide students with important information about geologic hazards, which will perhaps one day save lives or personal property. This course will provide students many experiential learning opportunities to visit spectacular geologic sites around Washington State through the ESS 101 optional weekday/weekend field trip program.

Text and Readings:

1. Physical Geology by Steven Earle (open source text book) under CC-BY 4.0 international license.

2. Specific readings have been uploaded to my website which will provide information regarding the relationship of geology (material, processes and landforms) to human development and modern civilization. These readings will supplement lecture and laboratory topics and content.

Grades:

Your grade will be determined as follows:

Points

Laboratory 120 points (plus 20 points as exam questions)

Mid-quarter Exam 140 points (10 points are from lab questions)

Final Exam 140 points (10 points are from lab questions)

TOTAL 400 points

Examinations:

The mid-quarter and final exams will be multiple choice. Bring SCANTRON forms and pencils to both examinations. These can be purchased at the “By George” newsstand and at the Hub store. Both examinations cover material from lecture and the text. Each examination will cover one half of the quarter. Laboratory quiz questions will be given on the midterm and final exams.

Laboratory:

The laboratory is intended to introduce you to the practical applications of geology through group lab exercises and lab field trips. You are expected to attend all weekly laboratory sessions. Make-up laboratory protocol will be discussed at the start of the quarter. Laboratory does not meet the first week of classes.

Take Home Readings and Exercises:

Take home readings and exercises will focus on the relationships and application of the geological science to human evolution and modern societies. There will be questions on the midterm and final exams taken from these readings.

LECTURE SCHEDULE

NW Component: Students will learn about how the earth and solar system evolved. Students will learn about how the earth became compositionally zoned.

I & S Component: Students will learn that long-term changes of the composition of the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans are intrinsically linked to its geophysical changes and origin of life itself.

Special Reading 1: Mojzsis, S.J. (2001) Life and the Evolution of Earth’s atmosphere, in Earth Inside and Out, edited by E. Mathez New Press, New York, pp. 32–39.

Week 2 — Ch. 10 (Text) — Plate Tectonics (How science works?)

Special Reading 2: Maslin, M. (2013) How a changing landscape and climate shaped early humans. The Conversation November 7, 2013.

Week 3 — Ch. 2 (Text) — Minerals (Formation, Structure and Identification)

Special Reading 3: USGS Special Publications: 1. Energy and mineral science at the U.S. Geological Survey, 2. Do we take minerals for granted?, 3. Rare-earth elements (REEs)—vital to modern technologies and lifestyles.

Week 4 — Ch. 3 — Igneous Processes and Rocks; Uses for igneous rocks.

Special Reading 4: Downtown Rock Hound: A Seattle Geology Tour, by: David B. Williams (article written for Seattle Times).

Week 5 — Ch. 4 — Volcanism; Volcanic Hazards

Special Reading 5: USGS Cascade Volcano Observatory: 1. Cascade Volcanic Hazards, 2. Monitoring Cascade Volcanoes

Midterm Wednesday February 12th (Kane 130)

(3:30 – 4:20 pm) Bring scanton form and #2 pencil.

Week 6 Ch. 5 Weathering Processes

Special Reading 6: 1. Safe DrinkingWater Foundation Publication: Acid Rain (www.safewater.org).

2. Top Five Endangered Heritage Sites (www.cyark.org) Jan. 9, 2009.

Week 6/7 Ch. 6 Depositional Environments and Sedimentary Rocks

Special Reading 7: 1. How cement is made? (www.heidelbergcement.com), 2. The History

of Concrete (R. Steiger. 1995. Concrete Journal, Pub. #J950585), 3. The Concrete Conundrum

(www.chemistryworld.org) Chemistry World, March, 2008.

Week 7/8 Ch. 8 Stratigraphy, Geologic Time & Numerical Dating

Special Reading 8: “Age and legality of ivory revealed by carbon-14 dating can fight poachers.”

(http://phys.org/news/2013-07-age-legality-ivory-revealed-carbon-.html).

Week 8/9 Ch. 7 Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks; Uses for metamorphic minerals and

rocks in society.

Week 9 Ch. 12 Deformation of Rock; Geologic Structures

Special Reading 9: “Unlocking the mysteries of the Parthenon.” (http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/unlocking-mysteries-of-the-parthenon-16621015/?no-ist

Week 10 Ch. 11 Earthquakes and Tectonic Hazards

Special Reading 10: Earthquake Hazards in the Pacific Northwest (http://pnsn.org/outreach/earthquakehazards).

Week 10 Ch. 20 Human Use of Earth’s Resources: fossil fuels, alternative energy, mineral resources. Week 10 Ch. 19 Climate Change: Cause (natural and anthropogenic) and implications.

Final Friday March 13th (Kane 130)

(3:30 – 4:20 pm) Bring scanton form and #2 pencil.