ONLINE: The course examines our species from a geologic perspective, with a summary of the history of Earth and of life on Earth. Life is a rare phenomenon in the universe, but it has persisted for 4 billion years in a narrow zone on Earth's surface. Homo sapiens is a geologically recent arrival with attributes that have led to domination over other animal life and increasing influence on the environment. Topics include: 1) Where We Are in Space; 2) Where We Are in Time; 3) Formation and Evolution of Planet Earth; 4) History of Life on Earth; 5) Threats to Life on Earth; 6) Evolution of Homo Sapiens; 7) What Is So Great About Us; 8) Learning About Ourselves and Our Surroundings; 9) Major Steps in the Advance of Homo Sapiens; and 10) The Anthropocene and Some Limitations on Our Future. The course is an attempt to place Homo sapiens in space and time, to highlight our unique powers, to mark the steps in our rise to "masters of the planet" and to review potential future challenges. | Lecture + Q&A.
Max enrollment: 50.
Class sessions are recorded.
