Macalester College Geology Department

Instructor: Karl Wirth or John Craddock
Level: Introductory
Offered: Every Fall, occasionally as First Year

In recent years it has become increasingly necessary to understand the consequences of human endeavor on the natural environment. The Dynamic Earth and Global Change course provides a framework for understanding the evolution of the Earth and natural processes of global change. Forty years ago, the origin of mountains and climate, the evolution of coastlines, the eruption of magmas, and the drifting of continents were the subject of great debate. Today these processes are relatively well understood within the unifying theory of plate tectonics. River systems, groundwater availability, earthquakes, volcanoes, deserts, and glaciation have profound effects on the human condition. The objectives of the Dynamic Earth course are to help students develop an understanding of the composition, structure, and evolution of the Earth. The observational and interpretative skills developed in the course provide a basis for understanding the natural evolution of the Earth and the effects of human activities on its surface environment. Several field trips will introduce students to the natural environment in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Upon completion of the course, students will:

• recognize and be able to interpret the significance of common minerals and rocks
• be able to use the theory of plate tectonics to understand global change
• understand processes that modify the Earth's surface (e.g., rivers, glaciers, oceans)
• have experience using modern instrumentation to investigate real-world problems
• understand the methods and processes of science
• know how to interpret the significance of features and events in the natural environment
• appreciate the dynamic character of the natural world