ESCI 109 Chicago Rocks

ESCI 109 Chicago Rocks!                                                                     Assignment abbreviations:
Sec 01, 02 Fall 2008                                                                                     FYE = NEIU First-Year Experience text
                                                                                                                         ISGS = Chrzastowski (ISGS publication)
                                                                                                                         web = active link to internet content
Assignment Schedule
The schedule of topics to be covered is subject to change; any changes will be announced in class and posted on the course website. Each student is individually responsible for updating the information on their syllabus accordingly.
        Note that highlighting in green or indicates a mandatory written assignment (click for more information)

DATE	*Click here to jump to current date* TOPIC	Assignments are listed on the due date Click the symbol next to an assignment to view the details
DATE	*Click here to jump to current date* TOPIC	READING	WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS
26 Aug	Welcome to College! Welcome to FYE and ESCI 109
28 Aug	One science, many approaches -- appreciating a diversity of ideas	FYE-college/diversity	student survey and schedule worksheet also: BRING A ROCK!!
2 Sept			email me!!
4 Sept	Putting Chicago on the map	web reading
9 Sept	NEIU campus geology		diversity worksheet
11 Sep	So, Chicago rocks!	time management
16 Sep	... seeing the big picture		scavenger hunt: item 1 and item 2
17 Sept	not a class day, but this assignment is DUE by 3 PM!!		goals - part 1
18 Sep	Between a rock and a hard place... *we will be at the climbing wall!*	time management
23 Sep	maps and more....	web reading
25 Sep	Bohemian National Cemetery	see course announcements! We will meet at the cemetery!
30 Sep	Putting together the pieces...	web reading and FYE-study habits	goals - part 2
2 Oct	The real dirt on Chicago		Academic Advising and Scavenger Hunt #3
7 Oct	EXAM 1
9 Oct	Miles of Concrete....

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT DETAILS (scroll down for earlier assignments)
	go back to assignment schedule		Note that *highlighting in green or* indicates a mandatory* written assignment*

2 Oct	scavenger hunt #3	Use the same (green) list as for #1,#2 If you do not have the checklist, click here to print a temporary version. (make sure to get the "official version" from me ASAP!) Check out the calendar of events (music, theater, dance, lectures, art) on campus. Select an event that most interests you -- one that you would actually like to attend. In the space for Item #3, give the following information: a) the name/description of the event, the date, time, place, and cost. b) where did you find this information? (if on-line, describe specifically where/how you found it; if from a printed brochure, attach it to your list, and tell where you found this brochure)
2 Oct	Academic Advising	This is the final deadline for the "Academic Advising packet" that you received from Bob Binkowski in class. This means that by this date, you must turn in your packet with your advisor's signature. (you may bring the signed packet earlier, if you have already gotten a signature!) Remember that, to get your advisor's signature, you must first complete the packet, and then meet with your advisor; the advisor will only sign if the packet is completed correctly! Note also that, if your advisor is not available when you go in, you can ask to see Bob.
23 Sept	Goals, part2	Fill out the "blue sheet" that you received** in class. You must include at least 2 short-term goals, as well as some notes on how to achieve, and at least 2 long-term goals, with notes as to what you need to do to achieve. ** If you were not in class, you must see me to get the assignment!!
17 Sept	TEAM goals	This assignment will be completed with your assigned team, and will be submitted via email, not later than 3:00 PM on Wednesday, Sept 17. For the assignment details, click here.
16 Sept	scavenger hunt #1, 2	general information about the scavenger hunt, and details for items #1 and #2 are available in the document you received in class (Thu, 11 Sept) click here to view NOTE that item 1 is required for class on Tuesday!! If you were not in class to receive the checklist, click here to print a temporary version. (make sure to get the "official version" in class Tuesday!)
9 Sept	college/ diversity	FYE-college/diversity This is a writing assignment that is a companion to reading the article that was assigned from your FYE binder, for 28 August (review that assignment here). You may want to review the article to refresh your memory! (1) Print the worksheet provided. (2) As you read/ review the article, consider each of the aspects listed on the worksheet, and fill in the columns of the table with your reactions to this article. Specifically, with respect to each of the listed aspects, you will comment as to: (a) what type of perspective or attitude is represented in the article about that aspect? and (b) does your own experience, perspective, and/or attitude about that aspect match or differ from the perspective represented in the article? (c) Briefly explain and comment on your perspective and reaction to that aspect of the article. Please write or print neatly on the worksheet, so that I can appreciate your insights! :o)
2 Sept	email me!	send me an email from your preferred email address (the one that you will check regularly!). The subject of the email should be: "ESCI 109 Section (01 or 02) -- your name". In the body of the email, tell me what you are listening to as you write the email: Is it a favorite song (what is the artist?)? Or are you listening to TV (what show)? Is your pesky brother talking at you? Are you listening to the sounds of nature (what do you hear?)?
28 Aug	student survey	thoughtfully complete the provided survey (yellow sheet) and return at the start of class on this date. make sure to respond to all questions on the survey
	student schedule	1. print this schedule worksheet 2. fill in your *firm commitments* of time (such as class schedule, work hours, etc. ) 3. make a copy for yourself; turn in one copy to your instructor on this date
	other	BRING A ROCK!! collect a rock from the area around your home, or from someplace along the way to school (only collect from public property! no rock-stealing!!) or, as a back-up, you may pick one from the rock pile near the NEIU Science building. Try to find a rock that no one else will have: pick the most unique rock that you can find! :o)












15 Jan	personal goals	Consider your short- and long-term personal goals. Enter at least 2 items in each section of the blue Goals worksheet (given in class) and return on this date.
	REMINDER!	If you did not yet turn in the schedule worksheet or survey, they must be turned in today!

Due date	READING Assignment Details go back to assignment schedule for WRITTEN assignments, click here

30 Sept	web-reading	Read the pages found at the following websites: Introduction to Weathering; Physical Weathering; Chemical Weathering; Weathering Rates
30 Sept	FYE- study habits	Read: Santrock, pp. 216-228 (this is "Chapter 8" in the section titled "Skills for Academic Success" in NEIU FYE binder)
23 Sept	web-reading	Read the following sections, to supplement our work on maps: intro to topo maps what is a topographic map contour lines contour interval map scales *note that "TopoZone" no longer exists in the format that these pages refer to; it is now a "pay-to-use" site. I will direct you to other web resources for on-line topographic maps later.
11-18 Sep	FYE - time management	Read Dillon, chapter 2 (the entire section titled "Time Management" in your FYE binder)
4 Sept	web-reading	Read this introduction to earth materials. Then, also go to and read* the three sections that are linked at the bottom of that document. Using one of the methods described in class today (Tuesday, 2 Sep), take appropriate notes on these readings! (* note that this introduction is a printable pdf file)
28 Aug	FYE-college/diversity	Read Loeb, pp. 56-67 (that is, the entire section titled "College Makes the Difference" in the NEIU FYE binder). [There will be a written homework assignment on this, due at a later time.]

team

Regarding Mandatory Assignments
Several elements of this course are considered particularly critical to your overall success as a student. While all assignments are important (you don't want to lose any points unnecessarily!!), some assignments have been designated as mandatory.

This designation means that I must receive this assignment from you, or your final course grade may be affected (that is, in addition to the loss of points on the assignment).

Assignments turned in on time are eligible to receive full credit -- the best situation for your course grade!! If late, without documented extenuating circumstances, you risk losing all assignment points (no credit for late work; refer to the course syllabus).

For mandatory assignments, however, even if it is late, you must turn in the assignment OR your final grade will have a penalty assessed: one-half letter grade for each missing mandatory assignment.

Do yourself (and me!) a huge favor: turn in all assignments, on time!!!!!

TEAM ASSIGNMENT

CHICAGO ROCKS! will be at the rock wall!

This is an opportunity for some fun (and some kinesthetic learning!), as well as some team-building.
We will meet at the PE building, in the auxiliary gym, on Thursday, September 18th, at the regularly scheduled class time.
The following assignment is to be completed by your assigned team, and is due not later than 3:00 PM on Wednesday, September 17th. That means that each member of the team is responsible to make sure that I receive this completed assignment by that time!!

As shown in class, each individual will view this slide show of the rock wall activity (the images feature last year's Chicago Rocks! students: please note that not one of them--not even an instructor--was injured in the "filming"...!!)
As an individual, determine your own goal for this activity: perhaps you want to make it to the top of a climbing route and ring the bell; or perhaps you simply want to overcome discomfort with ladders, by taking a single step. Whatever your goal, put it clearly into words.
The rest of the assignment requires TEAMWORK: first, pick a team name!
Each member of the team will communicate with the team regarding your personal goal. Team members will respect and support each individual member's goal, whatever that goal is.
Choose a team recorder for this assignment: this member will compile the goal information from all team members into an email message. This email must be received by the instructor not later than 3:00 PM on 21 February, and the email must show that it was also sent to all team members. The instructor will "reply to all" to verify that the message was received; as a team, if you do not see a reply by the deadline, it means the assignment was not submitted. HAVE A BACKUP PLAN!!!
The email will include the following information:
in the subject: "Chicago Rocks! Section xx"
in the body: give the team name, and then list each team member name, with their individual goal for the exercise.
When we are at the wall, the team as a whole is responsible for supporting and helping each individual to make their best effort, and attempt to reach their goal.

REVIEW NOTES (scroll down for more recent material)

8 Jan	What is FYE? (what does "FYE" stand for? what are the goals of the program?) What is geology? What kinds of things do we study about the earth, and what are the tools we use? (maps, earth materials)
10 Jan
15 Jan
17 Jan
22 Jan