Due: Tuesday, Dec 15, 1998 before 1:00 PM.  This gives you just over 2 weeks to get it done.

Directions: Write a two-page paper for each of the following two topics that clearly addresses the important points.  To get a good grade, the essay must be complete in its coverage, succinct, and well written.  Typed, of course, and no longer than two pages (NO longer, period) for each topic.  Your approach to the style of the essay is your choice; what is important is that coverage is complete and well explained in the allotted space.

Essay Question 1 (5 points):   A friend tells you that the earth is really, really old -- 6,000 years old to be precise.  You tell your friend that scientists have shown conclusively that it actually is much older than that.  Explain why the earth is though to be much older, using: 1) arguments from Uniformitarianism, and 2) radiometric dating techniques.  In large part, this essay must tell clearly how geologists argued for an “old” earth before the discovery of radioactivity; include only a brief, but clear, discussion of how radioactivity can be used to date rocks.  I ask you to slant your essay toward the first part because, in large part, those arguments are more convincing to many people.

I will also put a short article on reserve in the Pirtle Geological Library (Bowman Hall) that may help you with some of your arguments.  Do not base too much of your essay on material from this article, and be very conscientious in not plagiarizing from it.  Just ask at the front desk for the GLY 102 reserve materials ("Creationist Time Scale" article).

Essay Question 2 (5 points):   Write a compelling history of the Earth from its early days to the Present.  Focus on either the history of life or the history of tectonics (but not both: some cross-over is good, but have a single focus and tell me clearly what that focus is).  Make it a thoughtful, easy to follow, rich essay that tells a good story.  If you've ever read anything from Earth or Discover magazines, written for a lay audience that is well-educated and eager to learn about the things that scientists do, you already know the level of depth that should be present in this essay.   If you haven't read one of those, go do so for practice.