GEOGRAPHY 1110, Section A – Summer 2009

Our Hazardous Environment

Department of Physics, Astronomy, and Geosciences

Valdosta State University

Instructor: Dr. Donald Thieme          Meeting Time: 8:00-10:35 AM MTWRF NH 3012

Office: 2046 Nevins Hall                  Office Hours: TWR 11:00 AM -1:00 PM or by appointment

Email: dmthieme@valdosta.edu       Phone: 229-219-1345

Web Site: http://www.valdosta.edu/~dmthieme

Textbook

Keller, E. A., and Blodgett, R. H., 2007, Natural Hazards. 2nd Edition.

 

Course Overview

Humans are part of the natural environment on planet Earth. Nonetheless, certain environmental events and processes threaten our health, our economic well-being, and even our very survival as a species on this planet. GEOG 1110 reviews the conditions and circumstances which resulted in a number of the best documented recent and historical disasters and catastrophes on our planet from a human perspective. Through examining specific case studies, we will learn many of the scientific principles and techniques by which geologists and other environmental scientists evaluate natural hazards and provide recommendations to policymakers. Earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, floods, landslides, soil erosion, hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires will all be included among the case studies presented. We will also discuss linkages between a number of these specific types of hazard as well as their potential effects upon safe disposal and storage of nuclear and toxic waste products of our modern industrial society. Some basic algebra will be used in many of the homework assignments, but there are no specific prerequisites for this course.

 

Grading

There will be three hour long exams (100 points each) and a final exam (140 points) given at the course’s completion. Make up exams will only be given in the case of extreme circumstances. Illness will only be considered a valid excuse if you can provide a doctor’s note stating that you were too ill to attend the test.

Attendance will be taken at most class meetings and will be worth a maximum of 40 points, two point per class roll signed. There will be three homework assignments worth 20 points each (60 points total). There will also be seven video question sets (10 points each) of which you may drop one (60 points total). A total of 600 points will be possible during the course of the semester. Final grades will be based upon the following scale:

Percentage

Points

Grade

90-100

541-600

A

80-90

481-540

B

70-80

421-480

C

60-70

361-420

D

<60

<361

F

Tentative Lecture Schedule

 

Dates

Topics

Reading

 

June 10

Natural Hazard Concepts, Risk Assessment, Hazard Linkages, Plate Tectonics, Rock Cycle

Chapter 1, pp. 2-29

 

June 11-12

Earthquakes

Homework #1 assigned

Chapter 2, pp. 30-71

June 15

Tsunamis

Chapter 3, pp. 72-95

 

June 16-17

 

Volcanoes

Homework #1 due June 16th

Exam #1 June 17th

 

Chapter 4, pp. 96-115

June 18-19

River Channels, Floodplains, Flood Frequency

Homework #2 assigned

Chapter 5, pp. 134-207

June 22-23

Mass Wasting

Homework #2 due June 22nd

Exam #2 June 23rd

Chapter 6, pp. 176-207

June 24-25

The Atmosphere, Weather Processes, Tornadoes

Homework #3 assigned

Chapter 8, pp. 242-277

June 26-29

Cyclones, Hurricanes, Climate Change

 Homework #3 due June 26th

Exam #3 June 29th

Chapter 9, pp 278-315

Chapter 11, pp. 350-355

June 30

Waves, Currents, and Coastlines

Chapter 10, pp. 316-349

July 1

Wildfires

Chapter 12, pp. 382-405

Final Exam on Thursday, July 2nd from 8:00 - 10:00 AM

 

 

Policies:  Valdosta State University adheres to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) in prohibiting discrimination against any qualified person with a disability.  Students requesting classroom accommodations or modifications because of a documented disability must contact the Access Office for Students with Disabilities located in NH 1115.  Valdosta State University also requires all students to adhere to an honor code which is written in the Student Handbook, Code of Ethics. Cheating and/or plagiarism may result in a failing grade for a course and may result in dismissal from the University.  Finally, the Department of Physics, Astronomy and Geosciences at Valdosta State University does not tolerate sexual harassment.  For detailed information on what constitutes sexual harassment please refer to Valdosta State University’s official policy at the following webpage: http://www.valdosta.edu/legal/shp.shtml .

 

Class Policies:  Please respect your classmates!  Refrain from any disruptive behavior during class.  Cell phones should be turned off while in class.