Course Syllabus

About Your Instructor

Watch the short 2-minute video to learn about my journey to become a scientist - you are invited to join me on this journey!

Becoming a Scientist (2:09)

About This Online Course

Watch this short 1-minute video an introduction to where we will go in this online voyage:

How do you connect? Let's dive deep! (1:08)

This is a FULLY ONLINE 8-week, asynchronous course that runs from Mon. Oct. 26 through Thurs. Wed. Dec. 16.

• We will not meet on campus (at least not until it is safe to do so). Canvas will be our online classroom.

• Asynchronous means you are not required to log on at any specific time for this class. You may complete the assignments on your own schedule provided you do your best to adhere to posted due dates.

• Student office hours will be held synchronously, to give us the chance to connect in real-time. I encourage you to attend (but it is not required).

• Add/Drop and Withdrawal Deadlines can be found through Admissions & Records "Important Dates"

This class emphasizes reading for understanding – a big part of which is metacognition, or thinking about thinking. As you read, pay attention to your internal dialog, especially when you feel lost or confused. Over the course of the semester we will work on developing strategies to improve your confidence and competence with reading and understanding, with particular focus on the way science is communicated.

IMPORTANT: Please plan to complete the THREE check-in assignments by Thursday Oct. 29th in order to stay enrolled in the class. If you don't I will reach out to you to give you a second chance to get on board. If these assignments are not completed by Sun. Nov. 1st you will be dropped from the class.

Course Essentials - What you Need to Succeed

What does it take to make it on this voyage? Show up and engage your curiosity.

I encourage each of you to evaluate your prior experiences and current attitudes about math and science, and the beliefs that arise therefrom.

Whether you consider yourself “good” or “bad” in these subjects, the fact is – these are just stories we tell ourselves.

YOU are the author of your life. You get to tell the story. You CAN succeed at anything you set out to accomplish.

Set your goals high. It will require a lot of hard work, but it is worth it.

Know this: I am one of many who support your efforts.

You are invited to bring an open mind and a willingness to reflect and share as we build our knowledge and community together.

TECHNICAL STUFF:

You will need a computer with a decent internet connection to get the most out of this class. Don’t have one? No worries! You can request one through GCC library.

You will also need access to your student email account and your Canvas log-in information. Don't have access? GCC's Welcome Center can help!

While most materials can be accessed with a mobile device, it is strongly encouraged that you engage with the material from a computer.

TEXTBOOKS - Free to download at the links below:

• Webb, Paul, Introduction to Oceanography, 2020. Pressbook (CC/BY), Published under creative commons license and freely available for download.

• Hlebakos, Jason. Environmental Science 101. LibreTexts(CC/BY), Published under creative commons license and freely available for download.

 

Course Overview

Be prepared to be AMAZED at how interconnected we all are!

Our planet is able to support life! How? Because it has an ocean and atmosphere.

As an interdisciplinary science, oceanography studies the processes that make it possible for our planet to support life. We will begin by expanding our concept of time to think of processes that span millenia (and beyond) and learn how the Earth came to be an ocean world.

Have you ever wondered why we have oceans and mountains and deep sea trenches? We will explore these features and more through the study of Plate Tectonic Theory and bathymetry.

Do you want to know more about climate change? We will examine the role the ocean plays in Earth's climate system and consider the causes and consequences of global climate change.

We'll spend some time exploring different marine communities and how human life depends upon and affects the ocean environment.

Come ride the ocean waves (and consider how they form and how they shape our coastlines). You'll never look at the beach the same way again!

 

My Teaching Philosophy

My goal as an Earth Science instructor, is to help you develop the tools and tenacity to build a better world - for you and all who live in it.

All are welcome! And all have the capacity for growth!

Canvas will be the ship that carries us on our learning journey. My role as captain is to steer the ship.

Aboard our learning vessel, we ALL have shared responsibilities to maintain the ship and stay the course so that no one gets lost at sea and we can all grow together.

Let us recognize that we all come to this class with diverse experiences and background knowledge. Everyone is welcome on this voyage wherever they are in their learning journey.

Each voice in the classroom has something of value to contribute. Let us take care to respect the different experiences, beliefs and values expressed by those aboard this ship.

 

Our Pact

Teacher & Student Expectations

What you can expect from me	What I will expect from you
I will post materials in a timely fashion (at least 5 days before due dates). I will provide timely feedback (within 72 hrs). I will support your intellectual and academic growth. I will provide special accommodations. I will help you succeed.	You will make your best effort to meet due dates and communicate regularly. You will commit time to review materials and seek answers to your questions. You will preserve your academic integrity. You will tell me how I can support you You will be aware of your rights & responsibilities

 

How to Contact Me

Email: rridgway@glendale.edu

Phone (Call or text): (657) 667-3423

Student Office Hours:

M-Th 8:30 - 9:00 am

T/Th 10:45 am - 12:00 pm

or by appointment

Blog: All Who Wander the Earth

Social Media: Facebook       GoodReads           Twitter          Instagram          Pinterest

What are student office hours? Why should I visit?

Every week I set aside a certain amount of time to visit with students one-on-one or in small groups via Zoom (link available through Canvas).

This is YOUR time, not mine. There are lots of good reasons to come to office hours. Here are just a few:

1. If you are confused or stuck, I can help guide you toward clarity.
2. If you are curious about a topic and want to know more, we can find out together.
3. If you are anxious about your performance, I can help you develop an action plan to help you earn the grade you want to earn.
4. If you’re not sure how to study or what’s expected from an assignment, please come see me.

Why is this course important to YOU?

In this class, you will recognize the true power of an education is its ability to make you the master of your own mind - a fact that will empower you throughout your life.

You will also grow to appreciate that we are all connected and therefore that we all have a collective responsibility to engage with the world and leave it better than we found it.

Along the way, you will also learn all about our beautiful planet, how it came to be, the processes that continue to shape it, and the interdependence of all life upon it

We will use evidence to grow our competence and confidence in learning and communicating about science. This is a goal that ALL can accomplish, whatever your background and experiences.

We will use the practice of metacognition, or thinking about thinking, and adopt a growth mindset to help us recognize that learning is a process in which we are all engaged, whether we like it or not. Confusion is a welcome part of the learning process. And all knowledge is worth having. Afterall, a functioning democratic society requires a well-educated population.

 

Support for YOU!

What's my role, as your instructor?

I am your guide to the Earth and her oceans. I am your captain and your cheerleader. I am here to support you.

Canvas Assistance

We will use Canvas as our online classroom.

If you are unable to log in, please let me know ASAP so we can work together to get you in. Remember, nobody gets left overboard in this class.

Are you new to Canvas? Need Technical Support?

Check out the resources Distance Education offers!

Just click the link and scroll down below the log-in portal to find tutorial to help you get oriented.

You can get LIVE Canvas support Monday-Friday: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. or call the Canvas support line to get help 24/7 around the clock: 1-844-600-4951

Are you a Dreamer? A Black Scholar? A Veteran?  Foster Youth? Need money or food?

Whoever you are and whatever you need, GCC's got your back!

I feel so lucky to be a part of the GCC community because it is like a family - we all look out for each other.

Here is a list of resources to help you find the help you need!

If you DON'T find what you need, please hit me up and I will do what I can. Remember, I am one of many who support you.

 

How is this class organized?

• Week #1: Online course orientation. Review the scientific method and its application to oceanography. Interpret evidence as it relates to the history of the Earth and her Ocean.

• Week #2: Examine the evidence for Plate Tectonic Theory. Explain how tectonic processes affects the distribution of land forms.

• Week #3: Explain the formation of seafloor features and their distribution. Classify sediments based on size and source and explain how these affect their distribution.

• Week #4: Describe the physical and chemical properties of seawater. Explain how these influence ocean structure (stratification) and the propagation of light and sound in ocean water.

• Week #5: Apply what you learned in Week #4 to explain global wind patterns, ocean circulation and how the interaction of ocean and atmosphere affects weather and climate.

• Week #6: Describe the forces responsible for producing waves and tides. Relate waves and tides to coastal processes like erosion.

• Week #7: Explore how the ocean is able to support life - including human life.

• Week #8: Explain how resource extraction and other human activities are adversely affecting the ocean environment.

 

How will I know what work I have to do and when it's due?

Like the tides, this class has a predictable rhythm. You can find due dates in the Canvas Calendar or your Canvas To Do List.

WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS

Each week, I will invite you to engage with the material in our modules. Here is how I recommend you approach it:

• Review the week's Learning Objectives and related assignments.

• Skim the assigned chapter and take the pre-reading quiz. Due on Tuesdays by 11:59 PM.

• Review over the assigned material and take notes, focusing on concepts addressed in the week's Learning Objectives.

• Post your initial response in the weekly Discussion Forum on Tuesdays by 11:59 PM.

• Respond to at least two other students’ posts in the Discussion Forum on Thursdays by 11:59 PM.

• Reflect on your learning in your Metacognitive Log and submit on Sundays by 11:59 PM.

• Take the post-quiz after you've reviewed feedback from your instructor. Due Sunday by 11:59 PM

SPECIAL GROUP PROJECTS