Earth and Planetary Science Online Course Syllabus - 2012-2013

Course Overview and Purpose:

The primary objective of the Online Earth and Planetary Science curriculum is to provide the student with a comprehensive understanding of the natural environment with focused attention on Earth and planetary systems. Students will examine topics relating to the structure and composition of the Earths surface and interior; the gradual and catastrophic transformative processes that alter the condition of the Earth; atmospheric studies; weather and climate; the Earths place in relationship to the Sun, Moon and other bodies in our solar system; and the Earths place in the cosmos.

Contact Information:
Instructor: Adam Renick Email: adamcpda@gmail.com

Class Structure:
This class will be conducted entirely on the World Wide Web. There will be no set class meeting times, but you will be required to complete weekly assignments. Lessons will be completed at a rate of approximately 1 or 2 weeks per lesson. Lesson learning activities will require background reading and discussion that outlines a current scientific problem or debate, the collection and manipulation of appropriate data, and the assessment of the results of this work. By doing this, you will simultaneously become familiar with the content as well as the practice of science. Each lesson will emphasize course content, lectures, content area literacy and vocabulary. Each lesson will consist of one or more of the following activities; note taking, partnered discussion and activities, reviewing multimedia sources, group tasks and other forms of interaction and engagement.

What I Expect of You:

On average, most students spend eight hours per week working on course assignments. Your workload may be more or less depending on your prior experience with computing and the Web in general, and with geology in particular. I have worked hard to make this the most effective and convenient educational experience possible. The Internet is still a novel learning environment, but in one sense it is no different than a traditional High School class: how much and how well you learn is ultimately up to you. You will succeed if you are diligent about keeping up with the class schedule, and if you take advantage of opportunities to communicate with me, as well as with your fellow students. Specific learning objectives for each lesson and project are detailed within each lesson.

Communications:
DISCUSSION FORUMS: Each lesson in this course involves one or more graded discussions in which we

will "talk" asynchronously about content pertaining to the lesson topic. These discussion forums can be

accessed through HAIKU. You are expected to participate in the discussions by the due dates that are assigned in a collegiate manner.
EMAIL: I use e-mail in this course to give you feedback and grades on your coursework and to maintain

more direct contact with you on an individual basis.

Textbook:
CK-12 Earth Science For High School. Dana Desonie, Ph.D. http://www.ck12.org/book/CK-12-EarthScience-For-High-School/r9/ CK-12 Earth Science For High School covers the study of Earth - its minerals and energy resources, processes inside and on its surface, its past, water, weather and climate, the environment and human actions, and astronomy.

Other Readings:
Topic-specific readings will be provided during Internet-based sessions. These will include newspaper articles, journal articles, website documents, and other supplemental readings.

Controversial Topics:
Consistent with the California State Content Standards, this course may include controversial topics. The faculty does not endorse particular political or social agendas and will present a sensitive, balanced, and objective approach to these topics, with a goal of developing informed and responsible attitudes toward people, cultures, religions, societies, and environments in the spirit of scholarly inquiry.

General Course Conduct and Expectations:

To ensure a safe and productive learning environment for everyone: be prepared to learn every time you login in to this course respect the instructors right to teach and the students rights to learn students are expected to achieve their maximum potential by participating in a collegiate culture with a shared vision of learning

Code of Academic Integrity:

Code of Academic Integrity: The students of this course, united in a spirit of mutual trust and fellowship, mindful of the values of a true education and the challenges posed by the world, agree to accept the responsibilities for honorable behavior in all academic activities, to assist one another in maintaining ad promoting personal integrity, and to follow the principles and procedures in this Code of Academic Integrity. Violations include: Duplication in any manner of anothers work during an exam; Allowing another to duplication your work; Paraphrasing of anothers work closely, with minor changes but with the essential meaning, form and/or progression of ideas maintained; Piecing together sections of the work of other into a new whole; Submitting ones own work which has already been submitted for assessment purposes in another subject; Producing assignments in conjunction with other people (e.g. another student, a tutor) which should be your own independent work

Grading Policies and Procedures

Grading Scale:

100 93 % = A 92 90 % = A89 87 % = B+ 86 84 % = B 83 80 % = B79 77 % = C+ 76 74 % = C 73 70 % = CBelow 70% = Incomplete

Grading Policy:
HSHMC requires that students receive a C- or higher in all core academic courses to receive credit. Students will receive a grade of Incomplete when their performance does not meet the requirements of this course, which are based on state standards. If a students overall performance in any given 9-week term falls below a C-, the student will earn an Incomplete in the course. An Incomplete in any course requires the development of an Academic Recovery Plan, which must be approved by the teacher, parent, and Vice President for Academic Affairs. When the student completes the work outlined on the Academic Recovery Plan, the student is assigned a grade for the course. However, if the student leaves HSHMC, or one year elapses after the development of the contract, the course grade will be recorded as F and no units will be awarded.

Course Topics:
Grades in Earth Science are calculated as an average of the scores on approximately 10 required competencies throughout the year reflecting core content areas and student performance.
By the end of the course students should have developed competencies in the following areas:

The Nature of Earth Science Beyond Earth Composition of Earth Surface Processes on Earth The Dynamic Earth Resources and the Environment The Atmosphere Physical Oceanography

Late Work:
All assignments are to be turned in on time. Partial credit may be deducted for late work.

Access to Grades & Information:

Information about this course may be found on PowerSchool, accessible through our school website and on the course website. Parents/guardians are encouraged to use PowerSchool to access (or have emailed to you) progress reports and grades throughout the year/course. The instructor is also accessible to students and parents/guardians through phone, e-mail, and/or scheduled meetings. Please see contact information at the top of this syllabus.

Make-up Policy:
After an excused period of leave absence, students are responsible for getting any work or notes they missed and turning in make-up work promptly. Any assignment that was due the day of an absence will be due the day the student returns. Students are also responsible for making arrangements with the instructor to make up any tests or quizzes within one week of an excused absence.

Participation in the Course Culture:

In addition to the course competencies, the teacher may modify the competency average by +/-10%, based on the students participation in the class. Participation includes engagement in lessons and activities, completing tasks and being a productive member of the courses college-going culture. Significant lack of participation may result in an incomplete in the class regardless of competency scores. We expect that students take an active role in their learning and engage in behaviors consistent with this expectation. Failure to do so will be communicated with the student and his/her family.

Technical Requirements:
Successful completion of this class will require you to have daily access to a computer with a web browser such as Chrome or Firefox. You must also have the capability to view and work with Word Processing Software, Java, Flash and other Web 2.0 tools as the course progresses.