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Extinctions: Past, Present, & Future
  • Level Foundation
  • Duration 17 hours
  • Course by Emory University
  • Offered by

About

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

Modules

Welcome & Course Overview

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Welcome!

1 Readings

  • Course Outline & Grading Information

An Introduction to Extinctions

    • 3 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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3 Videos

  • Extinctions As a Concern for the 21st Century
  • "Mass" Extinction vs. "Normal" Extinction
  • When Is a Species Really Extinct? Exploring Lazarus, Elvis, & Zombie Taxa

1 Readings

  • [Handout] Lazarus, Elvis & Zombie Taxa

The Importance of Studying Extinctions

    • 2 Videos
    • 2 Readings
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2 Videos

  • How Extinctions Play a Role in Evolution
  • Why Studying Extinctions Is Critical for Our Survival

2 Readings

  • Mass Extinctions & Evolution
  • The Insect Apocalypse & Our Present-Day Extinctions

Review

    • 2 Assignment
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2 Assignment

  • Practice: Week 1
  • Graded: Week 1

Ancient Legends to Post-Enlightenment Theories

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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2 Videos

  • Legends from Ancient & Indigenous Cultures
  • Renaissance & Post-Enlightenment Theories on Previous Life

1 Readings

  • Fossil Myths, American Degeneracy, & Geology Origins

Early-19th Century Ideas & Sciences

    • 3 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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3 Videos

  • The Birth of Modern Geology & Paleontology
  • Mary Anning & Her Fossil Discoveries
  • Victorian Dinosaurs & Extinctions

1 Readings

  • Early Paleontological Findings

Review

    • 2 Assignment
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2 Assignment

  • Practice: Week 2
  • Graded: Week 2

What Died, What Survived, & Probable Causes: 350+ Million Years Ago

    • 3 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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3 Videos

  • Global Ecological Crises & Mass Extinctions
  • The End-Ordovician Extinction: 444 Million Years Ago
  • The End-Devonian Extinction: 360 Million Years Ago

1 Readings

  • Precambrian Life, the Rise of Oxygen, & Deadly Plants

What Died, What Survived, & Probable Causes: 66+ Million Years Ago

    • 3 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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3 Videos

  • The End-Permian Extinction: 252 Million Years Ago
  • The End-Triassic Extinction: 201 Million Years Ago
  • The End-Cretaceous Extinction: 66 Million Years Ago

1 Readings

  • Mammals, Asteroids, & Climate Change

Reviewing the Mass Extinctions Together

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Mass Extinctions: Commonalities & Differences

2 Readings

  • [Handout] Geological Time Scale
  • [Handout] Timeline of Mass Extinctions

Review

    • 2 Assignment
Show info about module content

2 Assignment

  • Practice: Week 3
  • Graded: Week 3

Megafauna Extinctions

    • 4 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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4 Videos

  • European
  • North & South American
  • Australian
  • New Zealand & Madagascar

1 Readings

  • Neanderthals, Megafauna, & Theories on Biodiversity

What the Megafauna Extinctions Had in Common

    • 3 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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3 Videos

  • The "Overkill" Hypothesis & Habitat Alteration
  • Alternative Explanations: Climate Change, Diseases, & Meteorite Impact
  • The Ecological After-Effects of Megafauna Extinction

1 Readings

  • After-Effects of & Theories About Megafaunal Extinction

Review

    • 2 Assignment
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2 Assignment

  • Practice: Week 4
  • Graded: Week 4

The Current Age & Local Extinction

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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2 Videos

  • The Anthropocene Epoch
  • Colonization & Habitat Alteration

1 Readings

  • The New Geologic Epoch & Habitat Alteration

Conservation Biology

    • 4 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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4 Videos

  • The Rise of Conservation Biology
  • Successes & Failures of Conservation Biology
  • The "Rewilding" Hypothesis
  • "De-Extinction" or Bringing Back Extinct Species

1 Readings

  • Silent Spring, Rewilding, & Bringing Back the Dead

Considering Our Not-So-Distant Future

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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2 Videos

  • Modern Climate Change & Extinctions
  • The Past Informs Our Future

1 Readings

  • Modern Climate Change & the Human Factor

Review

    • 1 PeerReview
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Practice: Week 5

1 Peer Review

  • Reflecting on the Human Factor

Auto Summary

Explore the fascinating history of mass extinctions with "Extinctions: Past, Present, & Future" on Coursera. Delve into the five major pre-human extinction events, their causes, and their impact on life's history, while also understanding the ongoing current extinction. This foundational course offers engaging demonstrations, handy resources, and quizzes. Suitable for all learners, it spans 1020 minutes and is available with a Starter subscription. Join now to deepen your knowledge of paleontology and geological studies.

Anthony J. Martin
Instructor

Anthony J. Martin