ATOC 1060-785
Our Changing Environment
When: Fall 2007, T/Th
12:30-1:45 pm
Where: Baker Hall Classroom
202B
Instructor: Prof. Darin Toohey (2-5659, toohey@colorado.edu)
Office Hours: T/Th 2-3 pm (or by appointment)
Textbook: The Earth System, 2ed,
Lee R. Kump, James F. Kasting, and Robert G. Crane, Pearson Education,
Inc.,
2004
Course Website:
http://atoc.colorado.edu/~toohey/ATOC1060.html
Course Description: ATOC 1060 focuses on the role of the atmosphere
and
oceans in determining the earth's climate. Our goal is to use
descriptive
analyses to develop an understanding of the basic processes that
determine the
earth's past and present climates. We will compare natural variations,
such as
El Nino and volcanoes, with those caused by human activities, and
examine the
socio-economic, political, and ecological impacts of these variations.
Although
a basic understanding of the weather will be assumed, there will be
some review
of the most important concepts from ATOC 1050 that carry over into this
course.
Goals: To develop an
appreciation and
basic understanding of the factors contributing to the complexity and
diversity
of the Earth System, both natural and anthropogenic ("influenced by
mankind"). To begin to explore the possible solutions to environmental
problems and how those solutions are linked to local, regional, and
global
economic and political issues.
Course Format: I emphasize
understanding concepts over memorization of facts. Classes will be
devoted to discussion
of the main points and ideas that are addressed in more detail in the
textbook
and in additional material, such as readings from newspapers and
magazines and
provocative videos, such as the Frontline episode 'Hot Politics.'
Therefore,
you should come to class prepared to talk about your reaction to
assigned
reading. The Earth System is a highly readable book that
comprehensively
and accurately deals with the science of the Earth System, especially
the
natural and anthropogenic forcings and subsequent responses. It covers
a great
deal of material, and it is difficult to master all of it in a
one-semester
course. But through group discussions, we can cover the relatively easy
topics
quickly, and we can start to delve into the more difficult issues.
We will cover the
same
material that is presented in the larger lecture sections, but we will
do it in
a very different way. We will focus on how information necessary to
understand
global environmental problems is obtained, interpreted, and presented,
as well
as on discussions of various questions raised during the reading in
in-class
conversations. Consequently, you will be expected to have completed the
assigned reading before each class.
Assignments and Grading: The
primary homework
in this course will be weekly in-class or take-home written assignments
based
on the reading and in-class discussions. These will be
worth 25% of your final grade. There
will be two midterms that will
each be worth 20% of your final grade, and a final that will be worth
35%. Although
each successive exam will test concepts presented in the most recent
section of
the course, there will be questions that require proficiency in the
previous
sections. Therefore, it will be important to correct any mistakes from
previous
exams. Some exam questions will be based on material covered in
these
projects and subsequent in-class discussions.
Your final course grade will be determined
by
three exams
(75%), and homework/writing (25%). The final grade cuts will be no
higher than A-/B+
(90%), B-/C+ (80%), C-/D+ (70%), D-/F (65%) (that is, anyone who gets
90% or
higher is guaranteed no lower than an A-, 80% no lower than a B-,
etc.).
Policies
Expectations
Come to
class!! It is important that
you come
to class regularly. It's probably safe to say that it will be extremely
difficult to get a grade higher than a B- in this class if you miss
more than
3-4 lectures. The material presented in class will highlight the
important
issues presented in the book, but classes will not simply repeat what
is in the
book. By discussing the issues in class with your fellow students, you
will
gain a much better understanding of the important points and you will
develop a
greater appreciation for the complexity of the issues and variation in
viewpoints. We will also work problems that will help you with the
lectures and
projects. Please come prepared to participate and bring a calculator.
Read
the book!! It is not
practical for me
to cover every detail of the phenomena we will study during regular
class
sessions, and it is virtually impossible for me to know what concepts
are
difficult for you if you can't tell me where you are stuck in the
reading. Even
I get stuck on some points.
Ask
questions and participate!! I
encourage you to ask questions at any time. I don't mind being
interrupted
(politely) if something I've said isn't clear, and especially if I've
made a
mistake (which does happen now and then), and it is important that you
follow
the arguments of your fellow classmates. If you're not comfortable
asking a
question during class, please do so afterwards or during office hours,
as this
will help you to gain more confidence in your understanding of the
material.
Participate
and interact!! I like to have
an
interactive classroom. I refuse to talk at students for a whole class
period,
and I can recall how dull it was to have someone talk at me when I was
a
student. So, I will ask questions of the class; we'll work on problems;
and
we'll have discussions about things that are controversial.
Participation in a
requirement! Civility and cooperation are essential elements in the
classroom.
This means encouraging one another during discussions and working
together on
problems.
Campus Policies
If you
qualify for accommodations because of a
disability, please submit to me a letter from Disability Services in a
timely
manner so that your needs may be addressed. Disability Services
determines accommodations based on documented disabilities.
(303-492-8671,
Willard 322)
Please inform the instructor if you observe religious holidays and may miss class of scheduled exam dates. Alternative arrangements will be made in such cases. Campus policies can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html
It should
go without saying that dishonesty will not
be tolerated. Your work on assignments and exams must be your own.
Cheating in
any form will not be tolerated and will be dealt with according to the
rules of
the College of Arts and Sciences. You are also encouraged to view the
new honor
code information at www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/
Topics Covered (with approximate reading schedule)
Part I - The
Atmosphere,
Weather, and Climate
Week 1 - Introduction
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 7
Week 8
Part III - The
Biosphere, Ecosystems, and Biodiversity
Week 9
Week 12
Week 14