This course explores the evolution and interaction of life, rocks, oceans, and atmosphere during the past 4.5 billion years of earth history. Some topics covered are: ice ages and greenhouse atmospheres, continental drift, extinctions and radiations of flora and fauna, the early evolution of earth, absolute and relative dating of rocks, and the geologic time scale.

This course covers mineralogical and chemical compositions, classification, genesis, and mode of occurrence of igneous and metamorphic rocks, including relationships between rock-forming processes and global plate tectonics; labs involve the study of representative rock suites in hand specimen and thin section, introduction to analytical techniques and in-depth coverage of mineral optics. One or more field trips required.

This course provides an intensive study of fossils, fossil preservation, relationships between major groups of organisms, depositional environments, sediments, sedimentary rocks, and the processes of sedimentation. We will employ the principles of stratigraphic analysis and correlation to interpret ancient environments and paleoclimate, reconstruct paleogeography, and probe the characteristics of sedimentary basins. Laboratory exercises and field trips will introduce a variety of analytical techniques used to study sedimentary rocks.

Humans are intimately connected with and dependent upon the physical environment. We have only been present on the Earth for a brief span, but we try to understand how the Earth has evolved since its formation over four billion years ago. Our knowledge of the Earth is critical, not only for reconstructing its history, but also for helping us to understand issues relevant to our lives, such as the availability of natural resources, pollution, climate change, and natural hazards.In this course, we will perform a general survey of the physical Earth.

The complex intersections of local and global processes underpin this exploration of a sense of place and an extended sense of planet. Specifically, we examine human-environment relations at various geographic scales and consider themes such as community, displacement, consumption and waste, sustainability, violence, and economic development. Field trips, in-class exercises, and thematic readings will further situate us both within the Pioneer Valley and the global context.

This course explores the spatialities of political power at multiple scales, from the national, regional, and global. We will review a variety of approaches to understanding the relationship between power and politics. Central to the course will be topics including, but not limited to: theories of the state and state power; geopolitics; boundaries; territory; the relationship between power, place, and identity; as well as global conflicts surrounding access and control over natural resources.