LECTURE PROFESSOR

Dr. Joseph H. Hartman, Department of Geology and Geological Engineering

Phone: 777-5055 (voice); e-mail: joseph_hartman@und.edu

Office hours

9:00-9:50 a.m., Monday through Friday,

by arrangement, and serendipity is just fine.

Current course schedule and other course information is available at www.und.geology.und.edu under Web-based course materials or at www.und.nodak.edu/instruct/jhartman.

The lecture schedule will be updated as appropriate throughout the semester. Changes are announced in class, but it is the student's responsibility to be aware of the course schedule.

Feel free to contact me outside of class with questions about course material and to bring up laboratory concerns and other questions during lecture.

CLASS GOALS

The goal of the class is that each student will develop an understanding of Earth’s geologic history and the methodologies as to how Earth scientists interpret its history. Objectives include the study of the principles and methods upon which Earth’s history is interpreted. With a survey Earth’s geo- and biohistory, from its origin to the present day, students learn and hopefully appreciate the unique and dynamic nature of our Earth through time.

CLASS EXPECTATIONS

Students are expected to attend class and be prepared for lecture presentations and daily questions. Note that part of your lecture grade is based on answers to questions asked regularly in class. Class participation, in the form of answering questions posed during lecture, is considered an important part of the learning process. You are thus encouraged to ask questions.

The following is UND's "Attendance Policy and Procedure": "Attendance and participation in class activities are considered integral parts of a university education. It is the University policy that attendance in classes is expected of all students. If attendance and/or participation are required and will impact grading, it is the responsibility of the instructor to communicate clearly that policy to students during the first week of class."

"Even in situations where an instructor might excuse a class absence (for example, severe medical situations, family emergencies, or authorized University activities) it is the responsibility of the student, whenever possible, to inform the instructor ahead of time."

Students who miss tests without prior explanation are likely to have the test go uncounted. I do not want to see this happen, so please follow procedures.

GRADING

Tests (90% of Lecture Grade)

Scoring on lecture tests is as follows:

Test 1 = 20%, Test 2 = 20%, Test 3 = 25%, and Test 4 (Final) = 25%.

Material covered in lecture is emphasized in determining test questions. Assigned reading provides important context and perspective to fully comprehend lecture topics. (Read course goals and expections.)

All tests are required to be taken on the assigned date and time, unless a prior arrangement is made. A deduction of a grade (or worse) will occur for an unexcused absence from a test.

Other credit opportunities exist, such as attending geology seminars (see additions to syllabus on my Web site) and special class activities.

Class Questions (10% of Lecture Grade)

Daily in-class questions and homework assignments based on the lecture and/or reading material of the day will be asked throughout the course of the semester. These activities will acount for a total of 10 points (10%) of the lecture grade.

Test dates are subject to change with prior notice.

Your Textbook and Clickers in the Classroom

Required reading: Wicander, R., and Monroe, J.S., 2007, Historical Geology, 5th ed., Thomson, Brooks/Cole Publishers, 440 p.

Required for class: A clicker (see CILT Web page for details) is an interactive audience response system tool that allows participants and presenters to interact with questions and answers by using a receiver and a transmitter. The transmitters are commonly referred to as “clickers.” In educational settings, the clickers can be used to encourage student participation in traditionally passive lecture style classrooms. Clickers in the classroom allow the instructor to ask questions throughout a lecture to engage students, assess real-time whether students understand a concept, poll for answers to controversial questions, and much more.

See Information for Students on how to purchase a clicker if you do not have one. Please purchase one soon, so you can fully participate in class (and be graded). More on clickers will be said in class.