Coursera

Extinctions: Past, Present, & Future (Coursera)

Offered by Emory University,
Extinctions: Past, Present, & Future (Coursera)

This course introduces you to the five mass extinctions of the pre-human past, their causes and significance to the history of life on earth, and the current mass extinction happening during our time. We’ll also explore the history of paleontology and geological study and review the key players that influenced the science today.

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Regardless of your familiarity with the topic, you'll get portable handouts, lively demonstrations, and quizzes that bridge and enhance your knowledge.

What You Will Learn

  • Summarize extinctions as an important part of the history of life.
  • Identify the probable causes of mass extinctions in the geologic past (before humans).
  • Compare and contrast the Big Five mass extinctions with human-influenced extinctions.
  • Evaluate historical lessons and current trends to predict and prevent extinctions of the future.

Syllabus

WEEK 1: Introduction to Extinctions: Getting Started with the End
WEEK 2: Human Awareness of Extinctions: A History
WEEK 3: Mass Extinctions of the Pre-Human Past
WEEK 4: Extinctions of Pre-History & Near-Present (Pleistocene Epoch & Late Holocene Epoch)
WEEK 5: Extinctions Since European Colonization & Going into the Future

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