I normally teach two introductory courses and three upper level courses:
Planet Earth is the department's entry level physical geology course, providing an introduction to the Earth and emphasizing the processes that have formed and continue to affect the surface of the planet where we live. We consider plate tectonics and the processes that create the large scale features of the Earths surface (continents, oceans, mountains), earth materials (rocks, minerals, soils and water) and the geologic and environmental hazards (earthquakes, floods, climate change) that result from people interacting with the processes that shape the Earth.
Rare Earth is an interdisciplinary course that provides an introduction to the geosciences in the context of a critical examination of the so-called Rare Earth Hypothesis. This is the proposal that a very large number of rare events are required to form a habitable planet such as Earth, and that in total this required chain of events is so unlikely that Earth and the intelligent life it supports may be unique in the Universe. Whether or not this hypothesis is correct, it is a stimulating idea and a very different way to think about the Earth and its evolution as a planet.
Environmental Geology emphasizes applying geology to the solution of environmental problems. Topics include Natural Hazards, with a special focus on earthquakes and earthquake hazard mitigation; Geological Engineering; Water, with a focus on groundwater as a resource, and groundwater contamination and mitigation; and Global environmental challenges, with a particular focus on energy resources and the consequences of energy choices. A particular goal in this course is to move beyond the doom-and-gloom description of environmental problems to emphasize tools for developing practical solutions to the many challenges we face.
Structural Geology is a core course for geology majors, in which we consider both the processes (stress and resulting strain) and the observed products (folds, faults and mountain ranges) of geologic deformation. This is also our primary field methods class, and includes significant experience in the creation and interpretation of geologic maps and cross sections.
Global Tectonics is an upper-level course in which students examine global tectonic processes and the evolution of continents through time. Through the Plate Poster Project each student becomes expert in one of the Earths tectonic plates, and regularly presents posters teaching the class about important aspects of their plate. Labs in this and all of my courses emphasize the interpretation of geologic maps and remote sensing data at all scales from local to global.