Instructor:	Rob Ross
Main Office:	213 Center for Natural Sciences
Phone:	273-6623 x18 (Paleontological Research Institution & Museum of the Earth)
Email:	rmr16@cornell.edu
Lectures:	Tuesday, Thursday 1:10-2:25, CNS 112
Office Hours:	by appointment (before or after class).

 

Syllabus

Course Links

The History of Life is designed to help you understand how we know about the geologic past through historical sciences, and how to critically analyze topics that frequently appear in the popular media such as new paleontological discoveries, new interpretations of dinosaur, mass extinctions, and processes of evolution. We use video and other media to address these topics.

Communication

Although I have an Ithaca College email address, emails to that address are forwarded to my primary address, rmr16@cornell.edu. Thus, it is a little quicker to send them directly to the Cornell account.

Some communication in the class takes place through emails. Thus please keep an email account (with Ithaca College or otherwise) active and make sure that I have a correct, active email address. If it changes mid-semester, please remember to send me an email with your new address.

The subject line of all emails in this class should begin with ICTHOL08 (that means "Ithaca College The History of Life 2008"), so that I can identify which of my emails come from the class.

This class relies in part on visual imagery and discussion. Class attendance is expected and will be monitored through in-class activities.
-- If you have other school responsibilities that keep you from attending a class, please send me an email so I know.
-- If you miss class, please get notes from a classmate.
We will have a variety of quizzes and small tests. All of them will be announced at least 2 classes (that is, the previous week) ahead. It will be your responsibility to know about them, through class attendance or, if you are absent, through your classmates.

After taking this class, students should be able to:

-- understand the scientific basis for paleontological research, and studies of evolution and extincton using fossils;
-- understand how scientists communicate scientific work, and how it is reviewed within the scientific community;
-- analyze popular movies, documentaries, news articles, and other media in terms of what is likely scientifically accurate, and what is speculation or simply incorrect;
-- recognize the most important events and their relative timing in the history of the Earth and its life;
-- recognize some of the most biological taxa, such as major groups of dinosaurs, that are frequently in the news

We will have two multiple choice tests in which you will evaluate scenarios in paleontological research and choose the best answers. Midterm: 15%; Final: 30%

We will have a few quizzes on essential knowledge, such as the geological time scale and major taxa. Quizzes: 10%

We will have a writing project in which you use a piece of “primary” literature as the basis for a paper on a topic of your choice. Your paper will be peer reviewed by several (anonymous) students from the class, and you will revise your paper based on the reviews. This process in some respects mirrors the process of publishing peer-reviewed scientific literature. Project: 25%

You will engage in occasional ungraded in-class activities, but it is important that you participate. In-class activities: 10%

You will visit the exhibit Journey through Time at the Museum of the Earth. The Museum is located on West Hill (Rt 96) south of the Cayuga Medical
Center. You will do an activity that relates to the content of the class. Museum of the Earth activity: 10%

Principles of academic honesty are outlined in the student handbook:  “Academic honesty is a cornerstone of the mission of the College”.  Our classroom is full (you will sit very close to your colleagues), so we depend on your honesty during quizzes and tests. We also depend on your honesty in doing your out-of-class work.

In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodation will be provided to students with documented disabilities on a case by case basis.  Students must register with the Office of Academic Support Services (607-274-1005, TDD 607-274-7319, acssd@ithaca.edu) and schedule an appointment with their instructors as soon as possible to discuss their needs.