Although their physical presence in our world may be limited to fossil remnants, the cultural impact of dinosaurs is a force to be reckoned with. From the Sinclair Dino to Jurassic Park, they have captured our imaginations and have been a subject of both popular and scientific interest since the discovery and identification of the first dinosaur bones in 1822. This class will examine the process of scientific reasoning and inference by asking the question "what do we know about dinosaurs and how do we know it?" We will also look at the nature of scientific controversy, examining how different interpretations of the same evidence can lead to the development of very different hypotheses about these intriguing creatures.
Content of course: see attached schedule
Instructional approach: Three discussion/lecture hours per week
Evaluative criteria: Points will be earned for the following activities:
There will be many short assignments, both in and out of class. The two exams will be less oriented towards memorization of information and more toward critical thinking. In fact, I will almost certainly allow at least some notes to assist you during each exam.
- Writing and other assignments: 150-200 points
- Discussion and class participation: 100 points
- Dinosaur building project: 50 points
- Midterm: 100 points
- Final exam: 100 points
- Group paper and presentation: 100 points
Grades will be figured on the basis of total points:
- 95-100% = A, 90-94%= A-
- 87-89% = B+, 83-86% = B, 80-82% = B-
- 77-79% = C+, 73-76% = C, 70-72% = C-
- 67-69% = D+, 63-66% = D, 60-62%= D-
- 59% and below = F.
Resource materials:
Readings will be regularly assigned from four books:
- The Dinosaur Heresies by Robert T. Bakker
- Dinosaur Lives by John R. Horner
- Dinosaurs of the Flaming Cliffs by Michael Novacek
- Night Comes to the Cretaceous by James Lawrence Powell
It is generally not necessary to bring every book to class—I will let you know on which days you will need which books.
I will also maintain a class web page, with the schedule, assignments, and links to other interesting sites.
Office hours:
If you have problems or questions, I encourage you to come by my office during office hours, or call to make an appointment for other times.
Office: 207 Kettering
Email: kstine@ashland.edu
Tentative Schedule
| Class dates: | Topics covered: |
| Week one | What do we know about dinosaurs? Introduction to the scientific method Early discoveries and discoverers |
| Week two | World geography More early dinosaur hunters Introduction to taxonomy |
| Week three | More about taxonomy Introduction to cladistics The process of natural selections Bones |
| Week four | Geologic time |
| Week five | Relative and absolute dating of rocks Plate tectonics Biogeography |
| Week six | Relationships and the process of classification |
| Week seven | Relationships and classification, continued |
| Week eight | Midterm exam |
| Week nine | Introduction to dinosaur physiology |
| Week ten | Size and locomotion in dinosaurs Feeding habits of dinosaurs |
| Week eleven | Dinosaur metabolism |
| Week twelve | Reproduction and development in dinosaurs |
| Week thirteen | Debate over dinosaur extinction |
| Week fourteen | Dinosaurs in popular culture |
| Week fifteen | Group presentations |
| Final | Final exam |