EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
DIVISION OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
TYPE OF REVISION: (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY.)
Course Number/Subject Code
Course Title
REQUEST FOR COURSE REVISIONS
DEPARTMENT/SCHOOL: GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY
X
X
Credit Hours
Course Description
Prerequisite/Corequisite
Restriction
COLLEGE: CAS
CONTACT PERSON: CHRISTINE CLARK
CONTACT PHONE: 487-8590
CONTACT EMAIL: christine.clark@emich.edu
REQUESTED START DATE: SPRING 2010
DIRECTIONS: COMPLETE SECTION A AND SECTIONS B1a, B2a, B3a B4a, B11, B12 AND B13. COMPLETE ONLY THE REMAINING PARTS OF
SECTION B THAT CONCERN THE REVISIONS CHECKED ABOVE. FOR ASSISTANCE CONTACT THE COURSE AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
OFFICE.
A. Rationale for Revision:
A required laboratory section was added to ESSC 114 several years ago so that it could meet the requirements of a General Education course in the area of Natural Science. At the time, the course had been a 2 CH course, and was increased to 3 CH. After teaching the lab-­‐bearing course several times now, it is clear that more class time is needed to cover the basics of geology in addition to the National Park-­‐specific information in the lecture part of the course. Students in the class are learning basic, introductory geologic principles AND how they apply to various National Parks around the country. To increase student success in this course, this proposal is adding an additional hour each week discussing basic geology in the lecture. Additionally, the lab was originally designed as a 1-­‐credit, 1-­‐hour lab, which was a bit of an anomaly in Earth Science (most of our labs meet for at least 2 hours a week). Student feedback suggests that this is not enough time to complete the lab assignments currently given. Raising the credit hours from 3 to 4 will allow for more lecture time. Changing the lab to a 1-­‐credit, 2-­‐hour lab will provide more time for the students in the classroom and will also bring this lab into agreement timewise with other ESSC labs. This credit hour change will also bring ESSC 114 into compliance with other 100-­‐level lab-­‐science courses such as ESSC 108/109, ESSC 110, BIOL 105, and CHEM 115/116, all of which are 4-­‐credit offerings that meet for 150 minutes of lecture and at least 2 hours of lab each week. B. Course Information
1. a) Current Subject Code and Course Number: ESSC 114
b) (If new) Proposed Subject Code and Course Number:
2. a) Current Course Title: Geology of the National Parks
b) (If new) Proposed Course Title:
3. a) Current Credit Hours:
3
b) (If new) Proposed Credit Hours
4
c) (If new) Briefly describe how the increase/decrease in credit hours will be reflected in course content.
The lab content will remain the same; it will be expanded to a 2 hour lab to allow for time for completion of assignments. An hour of lecture will be added each week to aid in the understanding of the geology of the parks and for the lab activities. This will be accomplished by providing additional information in the way of basic principles in the field of geology which are the required backbone to understanding the geology of the National Parks. Miller, Course Revision,
Sept. 09
4. a) Current Catalog Description:
An introduction to the geology of U.S. National Parks and Monuments. Applications of the scientific method of inquiry as applied to the basic geologic processes responsible for their formation. Does not count towards major or minor. b) (If new) Proposed Catalog Description (Limit to approximately 50 words):
An introduction to the geology of U.S. National Parks and Monuments. Applications of the scientific method of inquiry as applied to the basic geologic processes responsible for their formation. Does not count towards major or minor. Credit Hours: 3 hrs Lecture/Lab Hours: Lecture: two hours per week; Lab: one two-­‐hour period per week 5. Method of Delivery (Check all that apply.)
Current
Proposed
a. Standard (lecture/lab) X
a. Standard (lecture/lab) X
On Campus X
Off Campus
X
b. Fully Online
c. Hybrid
On Campus X
Off Campus
X
b. Fully Online
X
c. Hybrid
X
6. Grading Mode
Current
Normal (A-E)
Proposed
X
Credit/No Credit
Normal (A-E)
X
Credit/No Credit
7. (Complete only if prerequisites are to be changed.) List Current and Proposed Prerequisite Courses by subject code, number and title.
Students must complete prerequisites before they can take this course.
Current:
Proposed:
8. (Complete only if corequisites are to be changed) List Current and Proposed Corequisite Courses by subject code, number and title.
Students must take corequisite courses at the same time as they are taking this course.
Current:
Proposed:
9. (Complete only if concurrent prerequisites are to be changed.) List Current and Proposed Concurrent Prerequisite Courses by subject
code, number and title. Students must take concurrent prerequisites either before or at the same time as they are taking this course.
Current:
Proposed:
10. (Complete only if course restrictions are to be changed. Complete only those sections that pertain to the restrictions that are to be
changed.) List Current and Proposed Course Restrictions. Course Restrictions limit the type of students who will be allowed to take the
course.
Miller, Course Revision
Sept, ‘09
Page 2 of 8
a. Restriction by College: Check if course is restricted to those admitted to specific college.
Current
Proposed
College of Business:
College of Business:
College of Education:
College of Education:
b. Restriction by Majors/Programs: Check if course is restricted to those in specific majors/programs.
Current
Proposed
Yes
Yes
No
No
If “Yes”, list the majors/programs
c. Restriction by Academic/Class Level: Check all those who will be allowed to take the course as part of their academic program.
Undergraduate
Current
All Undergraduates
Freshperson
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Second Bachelor
Post. Bac. Tchr. Cert.
Proposed
All Undergraduates
Freshperson
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Second Bachelor
Post. Bac. Tchr. Cert.
Graduate
Current
All Graduates
Certificate
Master’s
Specialist
Doctoral
UG Degree Pending
Low GPA Admit
Proposed
All Graduates
Certificate
Master’s
Specialist
Doctoral
UG Degree Pending
Low GPA Admit
Note: If this is a 400-level course to be offered for graduate credit, attach Approval Form for 400-level Course for Graduate
Credit. Only “Approved for Graduate Credit” undergraduate courses may be included on graduate programs of study.
Note: Only 500-level graduate courses can be taken by undergraduate students. Undergraduate students may not register for
600-level courses
d. Departmental Permission: (Note: Department permission requires the department to enter authorization for every student
registering.)
Current
Proposed
Yes
No
Yes
No
11. List all departmental programs in which this course is Required or a Restricted Elective.
Program
Geography – Geotourism Concentration
Miller, Course Revision
Sept, ‘09
Required
Restricted Elective __X____
Page 3 of 8
Program
Required
12. Is this course required by programs in other departments?
Yes
ESSC 114 is one of several restricted electives for the Elementary Education Science Major. Restricted Elective ______
No
X
13. If “Yes”, do the affected departments support this change?
Yes
No
If “Yes”, attach letters of support. If “No”, attach letters from the affected department explaining the lack of support, if available.
14. Will the proposed revision increase/decrease credit hours in any program? Yes
No
X
If “Yes”, list the programs and provide an explanation for the increase/decrease, along with a copy of the revised program that includes the new
credit hour total.
C. Action of the Department/School and College
1. Department/School
Vote of faculty:
For
19
Against 0
Abstentions
(Enter the number of votes cast in each category.)
Richard Alan Sambrook
Department Head/School Director Signature
0
12/12/2011
Date
2. College
College Dean Signature
Date
3. Graduate School (if Graduate Course)
Graduate Dean Signature
Date
D. Approval
Associate Vice-President for Academic Programming Signature
Miller, Course Revision
Sept, ‘09
Date
Page 4 of 8
ESSC 114 GEOLOGY OF THE NATIONAL PARKS
SPRING 20XX PRELIMINARY SYLLABUS
MTTH 12-1:50 PM; LAB TTH 2-3:50
INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Christine M. Clark
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Office:
225 Strong Hall or 202 Strong Hall
Office Hours:
MTTh 11:00-12:00
Phone:
487-8590
Email:
christine.clark@emich.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION: An introduction to the geology of U.S. National Parks and Monuments.
Applications of the scientific method of inquiry as applied to the basic geologic processes responsible for
their formation. Does not count towards major or minor. Credit Hours: 3 hrs
Lecture/Lab Hours: Lecture: six hours per week; Lab: two two-hour periods per week (because this class
is meeting in the 7.5 week spring term, meeting times are double a regular fall/winter term)
GENERAL EDUCATION RATIONALE:
ESSC 114 is an introduction to the scientific study of the Earth using our U.S. National Parks as examples,
and as such, meets the General Education requirements under the heading of Natural Sciences. This course
provides an overview of how the scientific method is applied to understand the Earth System, with emphasis
placed on examples demonstrated in our National Parks. Included in this is how decisions made by society
can impact our natural world. The overarching goal of this course is to create scientifically literate citizens
who are comfortable using the scientific method as a tool in problem solving and incorporating the scientific
method in important decisions and issues at the personal, local, national and global levels.
TEXT: Required:
Harris, A.G., Tuttle, E. and Tuttle, S.D. (2004). Geology of National Parks (6th Ed.).
Kendall/Hunt Publishing
The bookstore has a loose-leaf version available. Traditional bound versions may also be found online.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Students should be able to:
• Know the location of each park discussed
• Describe the basic geology of each park discussed
• Know the general age and tectonic setting of each park discussed (including dominant geologic formations)
• Know any special historic significance to the parks discussed
• Develop a basic understanding of geologic rocks and Earth processes
ATTENDANCE: Attendance is required. I may or may not take attendance on any single day. It is expected
you will be in class everyday. It is expected that you will stay for the entire class. You are responsible for all
material covered in class, including all announcements.
Current University policy recognizes the rights of students to observe religious holidays without penalty to the student.
Students will provide advance notice to the instructor in order to make up work, including examinations, they miss as a
result of their absence from class due to observance of religious holidays. If satisfactory arrangements cannot be made
with the instructor, the student may appeal to the school director or head(s) of department(s) in which the course(s) is /
are offered.
Miller, Course Revision
Sept, ‘09
Page 5 of 8
MARK DISTRIBUTION:
Attendance and assignments
Exam I
Exam II
Exam III
Exam IV
Exam V
Exam VI
Exam VII
Laboratory Assignments
5%
10%
10%
10%
10%
10%
10%
10%
25%
Sum 100%
Students who need special accommodations for learning or who have special needs are invited to share these
concerns with the instructor as soon as possible.
EXAMS: There will be seven exams in this course. Students are expected to be responsible for all materials
covered in the lecture and the readings, though the focus will be on lecture material. Exams will only cover
material presented in lecture through the date of the exam; if the class is behind the syllabus, students are not
responsible for material that has not yet been discussed. Format of the exams will be discussed in class.
No students will be admitted late to any exam. Photo identification may be requested at any examination.
Please be sure to bring photo ID.
EXAM MAKE-UPS: Students are expected to take exams on the date they are scheduled. If you must miss an
exam for any reason (illness, work, family emergency etc.), you will be required to take a 100 point comprehensive final
exam (on final exam day) in addition to Exam VII to make-up the missed exam. There is no way to make-up more
than 1 exam. The second exam missed will be recorded as a “0”. If you know you cannot be present on an exam
day (for a documented reason), you may take an exam early.
If you have NOT missed any exams, you may CHOOSE to take the 100-point comprehensive exam to replace
another exam score. Your mark on this exam will automatically replace your previous lowest exam grade,
EVEN IF YOUR GRADE IS LOWER ON THE COMPREHENSIVE EXAM.
If you miss Exam VII without documentation, you will receive an E grade for the course.
LABS: Lab assignments will provide students with an opportunity to work with the information presented
during lecture, and will predominantly be based on topographic and geologic maps, hand samples and
photographs. All labs will be due at the beginning of the next lab session. Late labs will be docked points. While
students may work together on lab assignments, each student is responsible for turning in their own work.
ACADEMIC INTERGRITY:
Academic dishonesty, including all forms of cheating, falsification, and/or plagiarism, will not be tolerated in this
course. Penalties for an act of academic dishonesty may range from receiving a failing grade for a particular
assignment to receiving a failing grade for the entire course. In addition, you may be referred to the Office of
Student Conduct and Community Standards for discipline that can result in either a suspension or permanent
dismissal. The Student Conduct Code contains detailed definitions of what constitutes academic dishonesty but
if you are not sure about whether something you are doing would be considered academic dishonesty, consult
with the course instructor. You may access the Code online at: www.emich.edu/student conduct/. The student
is referred to the Eastern Michigan University policies on Plagarism and Cheating in the Student Conduct Code
(www.emich.edu/sjs).
Miller, Course Revision
Sept, ‘09
Page 6 of 8
GRADING: Grades will be assigned based on your percentage out of the total possible. You are responsible for
keeping track of your own grades. I challenge you to earn as high a grade as you wish; I am more than happy to
assign A’s to every student. It is your responsibility to seek out help if you are struggling; please come to see me.
A
A-
100-92%
91-90%
B+
B
B-
89-87%
86-82%
81-80%
C+
C
C-
79-77%
76-72%
71-70%
D+
D
D-
69-67%
66-62%
61-60%
E
<60%
Borderline cases will be assigned to the letter grade the average rounds into. Therefore, an 89.7 will be an A-,
while an 89.3 will be a B+.
BEHAVIOR: Students are expected to maintain an adult behavior at all times. Please respect yourself, your
fellow classmates, and your instructor. Be punctual; if you must be late, please enter quickly and quietly. If you
must leave early, please let the instructor know in advance. Please turn off all CD players, phones and pagers
before coming to class. Please do not have an alarm set to go off in class. Any behavior that disrupts the lecture,
disturbs other students, or distracts the instructor may result in you being asked to leave. Continued disruption
will not be tolerated. You are paying for this class; please do not waste your money.
SPECIAL NEEDS:
Students who need special accommodations for learning or who have special needs are invited to share these
concerns with the instructor as soon as possible. If you wish to be accommodated for your disability, EMU Board
of Regents Policy 8.3 requires that you first register with the Students with Disabilities Office (SDO) in 240 EMU
Student Center. You may contact SDO by telephone (734.487.2470). Students with disabilities are encouraged
to register with the SDO promptly as you will only be accommodated from the date you register with them
forward. No retroactive accommodations are possible.
F AND J VISA INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS:
The Student exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) requires F and J students to report the following to
the Office of International Students 244 EMU Student Center within ten (10) days of the event:
•
•
Changes in your name, local address, major field of study, or source of funding.
Changes in your degree-completion date, changes in your degree-level (ex Bachelors to Masters), or intent to transfer to another
school.
Prior permission from OIS is needed for the following:
•
Dropping ALL courses as well as carrying or dropping BELOW minimum credit hours, employment on or off-campus,
registering for more than one ONLINE course per term (F visa only), endorsing I-20 or DS-2019 for re-entry into the USA.
Failure to report may result in the termination of your SEVIS record and even arrest and deportation. If you
have questions or concerns, contact the Office of International Students at 734.487.3116, not the course
instructor.
MISCELLANEOUS:
This class will be based on current scientific theory. I respect your right to have beliefs different than those
presented. The aim of this course is not to discuss the philosophy of different beliefs, but rather to present current
theories.
The details of this syllabus are subject to change with the changing needs of the class, so attend class regularly
to remain abreast of any changes.
Miller, Course Revision
Sept, ‘09
Page 7 of 8
ESSC 114 PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE AND READINGS SPRING 20XX
Date
Topic
Reading
Lab
May 7
Introduction; Plate tectonics
May 8
Minerals and rocks;
May 10
Geologic time
May 14
Exam 1; Sedimentary processes
5-6, TBA
May 15
Grand Canyon
7-28
Intro to Maps
May 17
Zion, Arches, Bryce
29-42, 79-90, 43-54
Grand Canyon
May 21
Exam 2; Groundwater
187-190
May 22
Mammoth Cave
191-208
Permeability and
GW
May 24
Wind Cave, Carlsbad Caverns
209-220, 221-232
Caves
May 28
MEMORIAL DAY: NO CLASS
May 29
Exam 3; Mountain building, glaciation,
643-646, 289-294, TBA
Acadia, GSM
May 31
Acadia, Smoky Mountains
321-336, 821-834
Glacier, RM
June 4
Glacier, Rocky Mountains
357-372, 337-356
June 5
Exam 4; Volcanoes and igneous rocks
505-510,
Igneous melts
June 7
Hawaii Volcanoes, Haleakala
575-592, 593-602
Hawaii, Yellowstone
June 11
Yellowstone, Mount Rainier
619-642, 511-526
June 12
Crater Lake, Lassen Peak
527-540, 541-552
Mt. Rainier, etc.
June 14
Exam 5; Badlands, Cuyahoga Valley
115-128, 163-186
Mid-continent
June 18
Isle Royale, Voyageurs
307-320, 295-306,
June 19
Exam 6; Yosemite
385-402
June 21
Grand Tetons, Death Valley
647-662, 713-738
June 25
Denali
477-504
June 26
Exam 7
TBA
Minerals and rocks
Geologic time
Yosemite, G. Tetons
Denali Capstone Lab
REFERENCES:
http://www.nps.gov; National Park Service website
http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/; The National Parks: America’s Best Idea (PBS). A film by Ken Burns (2009).
Lovett, F.N. (1998). National Parks: Rights and the Common Good. Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield, Publishers.
Runte, A. (1997). National Parks: The American Experience, 3rd Edition. University of Nebraska Press.
Miller, Course Revision
Sept, ‘09
Page 8 of 8