Geology 300: Optional book report project

Value:	adding up to ten points to FINAL GRADE average
Purpose:	to encourage reading and evaluation scientific literature
Requirements:	1. Choose a geologically relevant book from the list below; check with me when you choose your book (I prefer not to have too many folks reading the very same book) 2. Read it! 3. Paper must be at least 1,500 words in length, typed (12 pt. standard font - palatino, for example), double spaced, 1" margins. In your essay, please address the following questions: a. Summarize the book in a page and a half. What are some major themes and topics? What are specific examples to illustrate those topics? b. What specific topics covered in your physical geology class are discussed in the book you read? Limit, one page.  Explain how the book went into more detail on these topics than perhaps we did in class. c. What is your opinion of the book? Give specific examples of why you liked or disliked the book.
Due:	May 15, 11:59 p.m.  No projects will be accepted after that day or on the day of the final.  This assignment will be submitted through Canvas.  It will go through a "plagiarism check," and you will get a chance to evaluate the score before making a final submission.
Suggested books:	In addition to these, check those at the end of the chapters in your textbook under "suggested readings."  If you want to select a book other than what's listed here, please bring the book to me first to okay it.
	Albritton, Claude C. Abyss of Time Alvarez, Walter T. Rex and the Crater of Doom, 1998 Carson, Rachel The Sea Around Us, 1950 Cone, Joseph Fire Under the Sea, 1991 Cutler, Alan             The Seashell on the Mountaintop: a story of science, sainthood, and the humble genius who discovered a new history of Earth, 2003 Darwin, Charles Voyage of the Beagle Fagan, Brian The Little Ice Age, 2001 Fortey, Richard             Trilobite!, 2000             Earth: an Intimate History, 2004 Glen, William Road to Jaramillo, 1982 Gore, Al Earth in the Balance, 1992 Gould, Stephen Jay Bully for Brontosaurus, 1992 Dinosaur in a Haystack, 1995 Eight Little Piggies Ever Since Darwin Flamingo's Smile, 1987 Hen's Teeth and Horse's Toes, 1984 Panda's Thumb Wonderful Life, 1986 Harrington, John W. Dance of the Continents Harris, Stephen L. Agents of Chaos Hsu, Kenneth The Great Dying The Mediterranean was a Dessert, 1987 Johanson, Donald Lucy: The Beginnings of Humankind Lewis, Cherry The Dating Game: One Man's Search for the Age of the Earth McCoy, Roger             Ending in Ice, 2006 McPhee, John Basin and Range In Suspect Terrane Rising from the Plains Assembling California Encounters with the Archdruid Control of Nature Mount, Jeffrey California Rivers and Streams Reisner, Marc Cadillac Desert A Dangerous Place: California's Unsettling Fate Repcheck, Jack             The Man Who Found Time, 2003 Rudwick, Martin The Meaning of Fossils Walker, Gabrielle Snowball Earth: The Story of the Great Global Catastrophe that Spawned Life as We Know It Ward, Peter  Gorgon: paleontology, obsession, and the greatest castrophe in Earth's History Winchester, Simon              The Map that Changed the World: William Smith and the Birth of Modern Geology              Krakatoa:  The Day the World Exploded: August 27, 1883              Crack in the Edge of the World: America and the Great California Quake of 1906

Last update 3/20/2019