GEOGRAPHY 375

Natural Hazards

Fall 2010
(last updated 8/23/10)

Course Description: Natural hazards do not exist alone, but in reference to people. This course provides a survey of natural hazards in relation to human populations and activities around the world. The focus is on natural disasters generated by weather, climate, geomorphic, and biogeographical events and processes. Students study natural occurrences such as drought, severe weather, hurricanes and tornadoes, as well as fires and air pollution events. We also look at landslides, floods, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, earthquakes, and disease dispersals such as ebola, and bird flu. Hazards related to global climate change are also explored. Basic concepts regarding risk assessment, hazard perception, population change, and impact on the built environment are studied.

Prerequisite: Geog 204 or consent of instructor.

Section 1: Mondays and Wednesdays, 2-3:50, Stevenson 3036

Instructor: Dr. Michelle Goman

Office: 3056 Stevenson

Email (preferred contact-note I regularly check my email): goman@sonoma.edu

Phone: 664-2314

Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, 12:45-1:45 pm and 6:00-6:30 pm

Textbook: Keller and Blodgett (2008) Natural Hazards (2^nd Edition). Available at NorthLight Books and the SSU Bookstore.

Course Website: http: http://www.sonoma.edu/users/g/goman/index.html

Grading:

The final course grade will be computed as follows: homework lab assignments (10%), in class journal article discussions (10%) and class participation (5%), a midterm exam (25%), a natural hazards term paper (15%) and presentation (5%), and a final exam (30%).

Natural Hazards Project Report and Class Presentation:

You are required to write an 8-10 page report (15%).   Pick a natural hazard or hazardous event that had a significant impact on a community either in the US or Internationally.  This can be a recent or an historic/prehistoric event.  The paper should describe the local setting and environment where the event occurred.  Detail what happened and how the hazards impact was possibly acerbated by human agency.  Detail how the impacted communities have learned (or not learned) from the event?  Include figures, data, maps etc. and references cited.   More information about the report, with due dates for various milestones, will be available on the class web page.

Presentation: Each student will present a brief PowerPoint presentation synthesizing their findings. (5%)

Journal Article Discussion

At the end of Wednesday lectures, we will discuss a scientific journal article related to material presented in lecture. The instructor will post the articles on the course webpage well in advance of the discussion. All students are expected to read each article and be prepared for a discussion. Teams of ~4 students will be in charge of leading the class discussion. Students in charge of the days article will prepare a PowerPoint presentation providing an overview of the key points in the paper.  The rest of the class will come to class prepared with at least two questions or discussion points.  Leading the discussion is worth 5% of your grade and short quizzes will be worth 5%. More information will be given in class and on the course webpage.

No extra credit is available for this class.

Approximate Schedule (subject to change):

Lab = lab assignment from Hazard City CD (accompanies course text) or other lab provided by the instructor.  PR= paper review.

Academic Dishonesty: Cases of academic dishonesty will be handled according to University policy. Plagiarism and cheating will result in course failure, and cases will be forwarded to the Dean of Students for further action.

Students with Disabilities: If you have a disabling condition that may substantially limit your ability to participate in this class, please contact the Disabled Students Services located in Salazar 1049, phone at 664-2677, for confidential assistance and accommodation authorization.