Overview. The primary goal of the course is to introduce students to important aspects of scientific analysis by exploring earthquake science and in the process, to help develop student’s writing, speaking, and critical-thinking skills using individual and group activities.

How To Do Well In This Course. Attend class. Participate. Much of the material and a substantial portion of your grade depend on you participating in class. Start assignments early and ask questions if an assignment is unclear. Be thorough in your research and know when you need to summarize, and when you need to analyze. Keep track of the assignments and find out what happened in any classes that you miss. Complete missed work promptly for partial credit. Most of class time will be hands on. Complete the reading assignments. Reading assignments provide context and will help you to understand what and/or why we are doing a particular analysis in class. Ask questions at the start of class if you don’t understand something from your readings.

You should distinguish between getting a good grade and enriching your education. If you really want to learn about earthquakes, read more than is assigned, be active class discussions, try to formulate and then ask questions. Study earthquakes – you are required to contribute to a class-wide a journal of earthquake-related news during semester. Use the internet intelligently as a tool for research.

Something to Think About. Here’s an old, but relevant quote about college written by a former president of the University of Chicago:

“Because the colleges of the United States have allowed themselves to be used for purposes other than education, it has never been easier than it is today, for those who can afford it, to get into college. Nor has it ever been easier to stay in college and be graduated. The only thing that is really difficult to do is get an education. … You can get an education in college if you try. But you must bring three things with you: A certain minimum of intellectual equipment, habits of work, and an interest in getting an education. Without them, you can still get into college and stay there for four years. You can have a good time; you can keep out of trouble; you can get a degree and become a full-fledged alumnus with a proprietary interest in all subsequent football scores; but you cannot get an education.”

From: Robert M. Hutchins, “Why Go to College?” The Saturday Evening Post, 22 January, 1938, pages 16-17, 72-74.