Chicago Rocks! Syllabus-Schedule of Topics & Assignments

*TOPIC SCHEDULE* with assignment links This information will be updated as the semester proceeds. Please check back frequently for changes/updates and details to be added.
- click on FYE symbol in assignment columns for assignment details * Reading assignments should be completed before coming to class on the day listed.
			click on the symbol for assignment details mandatory assignments highlighted in green
week	DATE	TOPICS		READINGS	ASSIGNMENTS
1	30 Aug	Welcome to College. Welcome to FYE! What is ESCI 109?
1	1 Sep	Re-Thinking Resources: geology in our everyday lives		CSS - chapters 1, 4: an introduction to college and communication		individual survey - complete yellow survey sheet
2	6 Sep	One science, many approaches -- appreciating a diversity of ideas				annotated reading AND bring a rock.
2	8 Sep	Rock your world: an overview of earth materials; Not "carved in stone": keeping scientific records		web readings
3	13 Sep	Map your world: tools of the geologist		CSS - ch. 11		scavenger hunt #1
3	15 Sep	The whole earth rocks! What geologic processes are responsible?				reading notes; send an email; and course materials due
4	20 Sep	Putting it together: Geologic processes and landforms				course materials due
4	22 Sep	Making an academic plan and planning for academic research		CSS - ch. 5		course materials due
5	26 Sep	note: this assignment is due Monday - via email				rock wall team email
	27 Sep	Written in stone: goal-setting, teams & contracts		CSS - ch. 6
	29 Sep	Topographic maps, geologic maps, and regional relationships				final deadline for conference1
6	4 Oct	So, Chicago rocks! Properties and use of geologic materials				scavenger hunt #2
6	6 Oct	NEIU campus geology: sediments, rocks, and topography		CSS - ch. 2		bring your "tabbed" NEIU catalog to be checked!
7	11 Oct	Maps and more maps
7	13 Oct	Correlating maps
8	18 Oct	Exam 1 earth materials; the science of learning
8	20 Oct	Breaking it into pieces: Chicago weather and weathering		CSS - ch. 3		Academic Planning assignment
9	25 Oct	Why is Illinois so flat? (Is Illinois so flat??!) "Ridge"land Ave.; "Blue Island"; glacial namesakes?
9	27 Oct	libraries and research		CSS - ch. 10
10	1 Nov	Topography, sediments, and interpreting Chicago's history
10	3 Nov	Team project day				see project page
11	8 Nov	Putting together the puzzle of Chicago's geology		CSS - ch. 12, 16, 17		see project page
11	10 Nov	A mile of ice.... .. and tons of gravel:
12	15 Nov	Ice ages and tropical seas - Chicago’s geologic legacy
12	17 Nov	Geology of Bohemian National Cemetery		web reading		weathering
13	22 Nov	Exam 2				see project page
13	24 Nov	Thanksgiving holiday
14	29 Nov	River processes, watersheds, and a continental divide The world in a grain of sand: beaches, lakes, coastal processes
14	1 Dec	Keeping water in its place? ~~Gompers Park Wetland: Solving an Urban Problem with Nature~~
15	6 Dec	... understanding human-geologic interactions in Chicago Natural vs. Human: geologic issues in Chicago
15	8 Dec	stepping back to see the relationship of Chicago and geology				see project page
Finals Week	12 Dec	*MONDAY*			see project page
	13 Dec	Sec 1 only: Team projects due; final exercise - Tuesday 8:00- 9:50 AM Sec 2 - no class meeting! Follow the final exam schedule			see project page
	15 Dec	Sec 2 only: Team projects due; final exercise - Thursday 10:00- 11:50 AM Sec 1 - no class meeting! Follow the final exam schedule			see project page


	READINGS - ASSIGNMENT DETAILS
	scroll down for other assignments	click here for (written) assignments
DATE

8 Sep	Read the material on the website links below. At this time, you do not need to annotate, highlight, or take notes on the readings: in fact, refrain from doing any of these things! Simply read the 4 parts listed below. The readings, in 4 parts, about earth materials. Each piece is short - not to worry! USGS Geology in the Parks, part 1: Intro and Igneous USGS Geology in the Parks, part 2: Sedimentary USGS Geology in the Parks, part 3: Metamorphic USGS Geology in the Parks: Sediment
17 Nov	Open the following weblink: weathering and climate Work through the animation on these topics, and create a set of notes for reference. Make a *copy* of your notes to turn in on Thursday. You should also review your notes (and/or the resources, above) about different types of rocks -- consider what we know about the characteristics of the three main types of rocks, how to recognize them, and how they might be expected to respond to weathering.


	A Rocking Scavenger Hunt - ASSIGNMENT DETAILS
	scroll down for earlier hunt items		jump to topic listing	go to course home page
			jump to reading assignments	jump to all assignment details
	current/pending due dates	past items
DATE

#2	NEIU Academic Catalog - for details, see assignments page
#1	Organization Fair
RULES and INFO	ESCI 109 CHICAGO ROCKS! Scavenger Hunt You have printed a Scavenger Hunt record list – *do not lose this paper* - you will record all scavenger hunts on the same page. Throughout the semester, I will assign different Scavenger Hunt items – the details will be posted on the course webpage as assignments. BASIC RULES for Scavenger Hunts For each Scavenger Hunt item, you will be required to find something, or find some information, on campus, as directed. For each item, you will be asked at least one question. Record the requested information in the appropriate space on the checklist. The information for each scavenger hunt item should be recorded in the appropriately numbered row in the chart; please note that the far-left column is for instructor use only. If you are asked to bring a specific item, you will turn in that item, with the completed checklist, on the due date. Each time that a Scavenger Hunt item is due, you will turn in the checklist PLUS any items that you were required to collect. These will then be returned to you, so that you can use the checklist for the next Scavenger Hunt! When seeking Scavenger Hunt items, feel free to "buddy up" with a partner or two – it can be more fun, and two (or three!) heads are better than one! However, each student must complete their own checklist, and collect their own items to turn in. HAPPY HUNTING!! :o)