This course covers the 4.5 billion-year history of the Earth. It examines the physical (lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere) and biotic histories as well as the interrelationships among these two realms. The first portion of the course focuses on “how we know what we know” while the second portion concentrates on “what we know.” The course presents and then uses the primary concepts (geologic time, evolutionary theory, and plate tectonic theory) that are used in understanding, interpreting, and appreciating Earth history. Fall, Spring (Group II)