1. The Geology & Geography of the Middle Earth My background intrudes on a work of fiction

2. Foundations of Science Natural Cause: The universe behaves in a predictable way under “rules” that can be determined through observation and experimentation. Uniformity: The “rules” are constant through space and time.

3. Foundations of Science Parsimony: All other things being equal, the simplest explanation is the best. Cause natural cause processes that may be observed and studied that follow rules that are consistent over time special cause “divine” intervention magic Objectivity

4. Assessing Science in Fiction Within the world of the work are there rules? are they applied consistently? In relation to the real world similarities and differences

5. Geology & Geography geology: examines the Earth, its components and the process that shape it geography: examines the physical and cultural features of the Earth’s surface

6. Middle Earth Tolkein’s World well described (in books, notes, and drawings) special & natural causes

7. Middle Earth Geologic Processes internal processes: create mountain ranges, volcanoes, etc. shaped by gods (special cause) external processes: landscape details shaped by water, wind & ice (natural cause)

8. Middle Earth Geologic History very short (three ages) world shaped by Illuvatar major landscape features shaped and reshaped by lesser gods natural process now shaping features

9. Middle Earth Geologic Resources created & emplaced by??? examples soil gems: diamonds metals: mithril, gold, silver, iron stone & clay

10. Middle Earth Geography: maps!!! types geophysical thematic created by Tolkien created by others interpretations of Tolkien’s text, drawings & maps

11. http://rover.wiesbaden.netsurf.de/~lalaith/Tolkien/Grid.html

12. Middle Earth Maps http://www.artbyforster.com/middle- earth/map-01.html http://travel.to/middle-earth/

13. Middle Earth Drawings Tolkien http://www.diar.ru/tolkien/texts/eng/pbjrrt/conten ts.htmlhttp://www.diar.ru/tolkien/texts/eng/pbjrrt/conten ts.html others should conform to Tolkien? conform to Earth?

16. Middle Earth Movies should conform to Tolkien? must conform to Earth or use special effects must try to find best locales http://www.lordoftherings.net/index_producti on.html

18. web resources http://www.nationalgeographic.c om/ngbeyond/ http://www.tednasmith.com/