Note: Course content may be changed, term to term, without notice. The information below is provided as a guide for course selection and is not binding in any form, and should not be used to purchase course materials.
PHSC 2 Course Syllabus COURSE SYLLABUS PHSC 2 ELEMENTS OF EARTH SCIENCE COURSE DESCRIPTION A study of the principles of physical and historical geology, oceanography, and meteorology for non-science majors. RATIONALE The purpose of this course and its associated lab is to reveal the complex inter-relatedness of earth processes affecting the hydrosphere, atmosphere, and lithosphere. These processes and the contemporary scientific paradigms upon which they are founded will be evaluated via the grid of biblical revelation. Naturally, particular attention will be given to the Book of Genesis. In the end, this course is designed to broaden the student s understanding of the earth and its function from both scientific and biblical perspectives. I. PREREQUISITE For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog. II. REQUIRED RESOURCE PURCHASE Click on the following link to view the required resource(s) for the term in which you are registered: http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/liberty.htm III. ADDITIONAL MATERIALS FOR LEARNING A. Computer with basic audio/video output equipment B. Internet access (broadband recommended) C. Microsoft Word D. CengageNow access, which will be covered by the course fee Page 1 of 4
PHSC 2 Course Syllabus IV. MEASURABLE LEARNING OUTCOMES Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: A. Identify the basic structures, materials, and processes of the earth system. B. Apply various geologic rules and methods to solve geological problems. C. Compare the scientific evidences for the young-earth and old-earth historical frameworks. D. Discuss the various ways geologic, meteorological, and oceanographic processes impact humanity. E. Evaluate the strength of arguments for controversial topics in the earth sciences. V. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS A. Textbook readings and lecture presentations B. Course Requirements Checklist After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in Module/Week 1. C. Discussion Board Forums (2) Discussion boards are collaborative learning experiences and are designed to help the student evaluate earth science via the grid of biblical revelation. The student is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each forum. Each thread must be at least 3 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to at least 2 other classmates threads. Each reply must be at least 0 words and add substantially to the conversation. All posts must adhere to current APA format. D. CengageNow Assignments (8) The student will complete various online exercises in Cengage s CengageNow program. These assignments will reinforce what is read in the course textbook and presented in the course videos. E. Spiritual Checks (5) The student will identify areas with which he/she is struggling (e.g., spiritual, emotional, academic, etc.) and offer any prayer requests for the instructor to consider. This assignment is intended to help the instructor maintain awareness of the student s spiritual health during the course. Page 2 of 4
PHSC 2 Course Syllabus F. Comparative Essay The student will choose a historical geology topic from a list provided by the instructor and produce a comparative essay in which young-earth and old-earth implications are compared and contrasted. This paper must follow current APA formatting rules. The student is expected to adequately research the chosen topic and provide bibliographic reference to at least 4 scholarly sources (2 old-earth geology references and 2 young-earth geology references) in addition to the course textbook. The paper must be 1,000 1,0 words. G. Quizzes (8) Each quiz will cover the Reading & Study material for the assigned module/week. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 25 multiple-choice, true/false, and essay questions, and have a 2-hour time limit. VI. COURSE GRADING AND POLICIES A. Points Course Requirements Checklist Discussion Board Forums (2 at pts ea) 0 CengageNow Assignments (4 at pts ea, 4 at pts ea) 300 Spiritual Checks (5 at pts ea) Comparative Essay 1 Quizzes (8 at pts ea) 0 Total B. Scale A = 900 B = 800 899 C = 700 799 D = 600 699 F = 0 599 C. Late Assignment Policy If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must contact the instructor immediately by email. Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the instructor will receive the following deductions: 1. Late assignments submitted within one week of the due date will receive a % deduction. 2. Assignments submitted more than one week late will receive a 20% deduction. 3. Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the course will not be accepted. 4. Late Discussion Board threads or replies will not be accepted. Special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, personal health issues) will be reviewed by the instructor on a case-by-case basis. Page 3 of 4
PHSC 2 Course Syllabus D. Disability Assistance Students with a documented disability may contact Liberty University Online s Office of Disability Academic Support (ODAS) at LUOODAS@liberty.edu to make arrangements for academic accommodations. Further information can be found at www.liberty.edu/disabilitysupport. VII. BIBLIOGRAPHY Gribbin, J. (2004). The scientists: A history of science told through the lives of its greatest inventors. New York, NY: Random House. ISBN: 9780812967883. Hallam, A. (1983). Great geological controversies. London: Oxford University Press. ISBN: 9780198544302. Snelling, A. A. (2009). Earth s catastrophic past: Geology, creation, and the flood (Vols. 1 2). Dallas, TX: Institute for Creation Research. ISBN: 9780932766946. Tarbuck, E. J., Lutgens, F. K., & Tasa, D. G. (2012). Earth science (13th ed.). New York, NY: Prentice Hall. ISBN: 97803216887. Page 4 of 4
PHSC 2 Course Schedule COURSE SCHEDULE PHSC 2 MODULE/ WEEK READING & STUDY ASSIGNMENTS POINTS 1 Ross et al.: chs. 1 2 Course Requirements Checklist Class Introductions CengageNow Assignment 1 Quiz 1 0 2 Ross et al.: chs. 3 4 3 presentations CengageNow Assignment 2 Spiritual Check 1 Quiz 2 3 Ross et al.: chs. 5 6 CengageNow Assignment 3 Spiritual Check 2 Quiz 3 4 Ross et al.: ch. 7 3 websites CengageNow Assignment 4 DB Forum 1 Quiz 4 5 Ross et al.: chs. 8 9 CengageNow Assignment 5 Spiritual Check 3 Quiz 5 6 Ross et al.: chs., 12 CengageNow Assignment 6 Spiritual Check 4 Quiz 6 7 Ross et al.: ch. 13 5 presentations 1 website CengageNow Assignment 7 Comparative Essay Quiz 7 1 8 Ross et al.: ch. 14 3 presentations DB Forum 2 CengageNow Assignment 8 Spiritual Check 5 Quiz 8 TOTAL DB = Discussion Board NOTE: Each course module/week (except Module/Week 1) begins on Tuesday morning at 12:00 a.m. (ET) and ends on Monday night at 11:59 p.m. (ET). The final module/week ends at 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday.