GOL 430.001 - Fundamentals of Plate Tectonics - Spring 2018
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GOL 430.001 – Fundamentals of Plate Tectonics – Spring 2018
College of Sciences & Mathematics – Stephen F. Austin State University
Instructor: Dr. Liane Stevens
Department: Geology
Email: stevenslm@sfasu.edu
Office: Miller Science, Room 311
Phone: 936-468-2024
Mailbox: Miller Science, Room 301 (business hours)
Office Hours: MWF 11:00 a.m. – noon; TR 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.; drop in; or by
appointment.
Lecture Meetings: Tuesday and Thursday, 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m., Miller Science, Room 333
Course Description: Fundamentals of Plate Tectonics. Three hours lecture per week. Plate tectonic
theory provides a fundamental framework for understanding of Earth’s geological and geophysical
phenomena. This course will explore the development, strengths, and limitations of plate tectonic
theory. Topics include Earth’s structure and isostasy, paleomagnetic data, detailed examination of
plate boundaries and orogenesis, modern and reconstructed plate configurations, plate kinematics
and controlling forces, and the supercontinent cycle. Prerequisites: GOL 131 and GOL 132.
Required Materials:
• Global Tectonics, 3rd edition, P. Kearey, K.A. Klepeis, F.J. Vine, 496 p., Wiley-Blackwell, ISBN:
978-1-4051-0777-8.
• Additional readings from the scientific literature will be available via D2L.
• You are expected to bring a notebook and/or binder to all class meetings to organize notes and
handouts for reference. You will need a pencil and eraser for class assignments and exams. You
will find a ruler, calculator, and colored pencils useful for some classwork.
Program Learning Outcomes: There are no specific program learning outcomes for this major
addressed in this course. It is a general education core curriculum course and/or service course.
General Education Core Curriculum Objectives/Outcomes: The objective of Fundamentals of Plate
Tectonics (GOL 430) is to deepen students’ understanding of plate tectonic theory, geoscience’s
“unifying theory,” through understanding the evidence that led to the development of the theory,
analyzing strengths and weaknesses of the theory, and considering Earth’s materials and processes
in context of the theory.
Student Learning Outcomes: After successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
SLO 1. Describe the features and processes associated with each type of tectonic boundary.
SLO 2. Analyze and interpret data that support plate tectonic theory or explain specific features.
SLO 3. Critically evaluate historic and current scientific literature in the context of course concepts.
SLO 4. Discuss the strengths and limitations of plate tectonic theory, using examples of Earth’s features
and arguments from the scientific literature.
SLO 5. Illustrate course concepts through evaluation of data and by summarizing and presenting a
tectonic history for a tectonic plate.Course Format: This course is designed to investigate our modern understanding of Earth’s materials and processes in the context of plate tectonic theory, and vice versa. We will explore: the development of plate tectonic theory; strengths and limitations of the theory; evidence for the theory; and our improved understanding of Earth’s features in context of plate tectonic theory. Course material will be addressed through lectures, activities and assignments, discussions of scientific literature, a term research project, and two exams. Course Schedule: This last page of this syllabus contains a detailed course schedule. You are responsible for keeping up with the schedule and completing readings and assignments on time. Readings are assigned from textbooks and the scientific literature (see schedule). If it becomes necessary to modify the schedule, I will notify you accordingly. Course Assignments: I will assign exercises as needed in order to explore course concepts further. This work may include in-class activities, paper summaries, participation in class discussions, or other types of assignments. Activities that require your presence in class (e.g., discussion, collaborations) cannot be made up for a grade. Students will be expected to work independently toward completion of course assignments, unless otherwise instructed. Plate Project: You will complete a term-long project studying various geologic and tectonic aspects of a tectonic plate boundary of your choice. The project is divided into manageable chunks, and will culminate in a class presentation and paper. You will share your progress and give feedback to classmates on Workshop days. You work must adhere to the standards of academic integrity – exceptions will result in a failing grade. Detailed criteria, a grading rubric, and explicit guidelines will be provided separately. See the schedule at the end of this syllabus for deadlines. Exams: Two exams, a midterm and the final, are scheduled for this semester (see course schedule). Exams will test course concepts, including lecture material, exercises and assignments, and assigned reading. Exams will include a mix of short format (e.g., multiple choice, fill in the blank) and long format (problems, essays) questions. The date of the final exam is provided on the course schedule – plan accordingly. You will need a pencil and eraser for exams. Use of any electronic device during exams is not permitted. D2L: Course content (lecture slides, handouts, assignments, etc.) and useful resources (e.g., websites, FAQ topics) will be posted using the Desire2Learn (D2L) learning environment, which you can access through mySFA. Grades will be posted on D2L, but note that calculated grades shown on D2L may differ slightly from my Excel grade determinations, which are final. D2L will also be used for group communication and important notifications. It is your responsibility to check the site regularly for access to course materials and information. You may forward D2L communications to your preferred email address, but you must log in to D2L to respond to these messages. To forward messages, log in to D2L through mySFA. Click on your name in the top right corner, and select “Account Settings” from the dropdown menu. Select the “Email” tab. Scroll down to “Forwarding Options.” Check the box to forward incoming messages, and enter your preferred email address. Save!
Attendance: You are expected to attend all lecture and lab meetings. I will take attendance for
accounting purposes. Exams will not be rescheduled for unexcused absences. Excused absences
include illness, serious emergency, and events during which you are representing the University.
Poor planning and vacations are not excused absences. If you have been absent, check D2L for
lecture slides and course assignments. Contact a classmate for lecture notes. You are welcome to
attend office hours or make an appointment for clarification of missed concepts or assignments.
You do not need to contact me regarding an absence unless you require new deadlines.
Late Work: If you have an excused absence or are having trouble completing an assignment on
time, please talk with me well before the due date about alternative arrangements. Otherwise, a
10% per school day penalty will apply to all late assignments. No assignment will be accepted for
credit after the assignment has been graded and returned – keep on top of your work!
Final Grades: Your final grade will be determined by summing the weighted averages of your
grades in each of the categories below. Letter grades will be assigned as follows: A (90.0–100), B
(80.0–89.9), C (70.0–79.9), D (60.0–69.9), F (< 60.0).
• Course Assignments 15 % • Plate Project (#1-9) 25 %
• Exams 40 % • Final Plate Project 20%
Extra Credit: There will be no extra credit opportunities– focus your attention on the tasks at hand.
Success! Your academic achievement naturally depends on your level of involvement in this course.
You improve your chances of success if you: complete readings and assignments, attend all lectures
and labs, take advantage of office hours, participate in activities and discussions, study regularly,
form study groups, make use of available resources, and ask questions. Do not hesitate to ask for
help!
Classroom Courtesy: Please be considerate of your classmates and of me. Refrain from distracting
behaviors, and keep electronic devices silent. Use of electronic devices for purposes other than
participating in class (e.g., note-taking) is distracting, and therefore not acceptable in the
classroom. You may not photograph or record lectures without my permission – you will find all
resources on D2L.
Communication: Seek me out when you have questions or concerns. I guarantee my availability
during office hours, but you are welcome to stop by any time – if my door is open, I’m available.
Email (stevenslm@sfasu.edu) is preferable to telephone communication – I won’t check voicemail
when I’m off campus. I will contact you through SFA email or D2L – it is your responsibility to check
your messages regularly.
Students with Disabilities: To obtain disability related accommodations, alternate formats, and/or
auxiliary aids, students with disabilities must contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS), Room
325, Human Services Building, 936-468-3004/1004 (TDD) as early as possible in the semester. Once
verified, ODS will notify the course instructor and outline the accommodations and/or auxiliary aids
to be provided. Failure to request services in a timely manner may delay your accommodations. For
additional information, go to http://www.sfasu.edu/disabilityservices. Please be in touch with me
at the beginning of the semester to discuss arrangements for accommodations.Academic Integrity: Completing our work with academic integrity is a responsibility of all university faculty and students. Academic dishonesty includes both cheating and plagiarism. Cheating includes but is not limited to 1) using or attempting to use unauthorized materials on any class assignment or exam; 2) falsifying or inventing any information, including citations, on an assigned exercise; and/or 3) helping or attempting to help another in an act of cheating or plagiarism. Plagiarism is presenting the words or ideas of another person as if they were one’s own. Examples of plagiarism include, but are not limited to 1) submitting an assignment as one’s own work when it is at least partly the work of another; 2) submitting a work that has been purchased or otherwise obtained from the internet or another source; and/or 3) incorporating the words or ideas of an author into one’s work without giving the author credit. Penalties may include, but are not limited to reprimand, no credit for the assignment or exam, repeating the assignment or exam, completing a new assignment, failure of the course, or expulsion from the university. You are encouraged to ask questions and seek clarification about completing your coursework with academic integrity. Withheld Grades: Ordinarily, at the discretion of the instructor of record and with the approval of the academic chair, a grade of WH will be assigned only if the student cannot complete the course work because of unavoidable circumstances. Students must complete the work within one calendar year from the end of the semester in which they receive a WH, or the grade automatically becomes an F. If students register for the same course in future terms the WH will automatically become an F and will be counted as a repeated course for the purpose of computing grade point average. The circumstances precipitating the request must have occurred after the last day in which a student could withdraw from a course. Students requesting a WH must be passing the course with a minimum projected grade of C. Course Schedule: This syllabus contains a detailed course schedule. You are responsible for keeping up with the schedule and completing readings and assignments on time. If it becomes necessary to modify the schedule, I will notify you accordingly.
Course Schedule – GOL 430 – Fundamentals of Plate Tectonics – Spring 2018
Week Date Topic Reading Project
T Jan. 16 Classes Cancelled – Snow Day
1
R Jan. 18 Course Introduction Course Syllabus; Ch. 1
T Jan. 23 Earth’s Structure Ch. 2 (2.2-2.10, 2.12, 2.13) #1: Choose Boundary
2
R Jan. 25 Isostasy Ch. 2 (2.11)
T Jan. 30 Wegener & Continental Drift Wegener, 1912
3
R Feb. 1 Paleomagnetism & The Ocean Floor Ch. 3, Ch. 4 (4.1) #2: Description
T Feb. 6 The Vine-Matthews Hypothesis Vine & Matthews, 1963
4
R Feb. 8 Plates & Plate Margins Ch. 5 (5.1-5.2)
T Feb. 13 Relative vs. Absolute Plate Motion Ch. 5 (5.3-5.6, 5.8)
5
R Feb. 15 Triple Junctions Ch. 5 (5.10-5.11) #3: Features & Evidence
T Feb. 20 Mid-Ocean Ridges Ch. 6
6
R Feb. 22 Plate Tectonic Theory Morgan, 1968
T Feb. 27 Transform Boundaries Ch. 4 (4.2), Ch. 8 (8.1-8.4, 8.7) #4: Rates & Motion
7
R Mar. 1 Evolution of the San Andreas Fault Atwater, 1970
T Mar. 6 MIDTERM EXAM
8
R Mar. 8 PROJECT WORKSHOP #5: Summary
T Mar. 13
9 No Classes – Spring Break
R Mar. 15
T Mar. 20 Subduction Zones Ch. 9 #6: Revised Summary
10
R Mar. 22 Subduction Zones Ch. 9
T Mar. 27 Mountain Building Ch. 10 #7: Topography
11
R Mar. 29 No Class – Easter Holiday
T Apr. 3 Appalachian-Ouachita Orogeny Hatcher, 2010
12
R Apr. 5 Sevier-Laramide Orogeny Dickinson & Snyder, 1978
T Apr. 10 PROJECT WORKSHOP #8: Cross Sections
13 Ch. 12; Conrad & Lithgow-
R Apr. 11 Forces Controlling Plate Motion
Bertelloni, 2002
T Apr. 17 The Basin & Range Kreemer & Hammond, 2007
14 #9: Revised Cross
R Apr. 19 Continental Rifts Ch. 7
Sections
T Apr. 24 Uplift & Exhumation England & Molnar, 1990
15
R Apr. 26 Metamorphic Core Complexes Coney & Harms, 1984
T May 1 Plate Project Presentations #10: Final Projects
16
R May 3 Plate Project Presentations
17 T May 8 FINAL EXAM, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.You can also read
