Geology 108: "Crises of the Earth"
(a.k.a. 'Death & Destruction' or 'Disasters with (Old) Masters')
Spring 2001
 

Description

This course addresses a variety of geological processes that, when they adversely affect mankind, are described as natural hazards or disasters. The structure of the course will involve a lecture format interlaced with selected video presentations, in-class exercises, and regular reading assignments followed by brief in-class quizzes and/or short homework assignments; the lectures will generally elaborate on but not replicate the readings. We will expect that weekly readings will be completed before the Tuesday class of that week.
Student research groups will be formed to produce two topical reports, preferably in a web-page format; topics will include earthquakes and volcanoes There will be three in-class exams but no comprehensive final exam.

Cumulative grade will be based on exams (40%), web reports (40%), and in-class quizzes and homework (20%). As a matter of policy, there will be no make-ups for missed exams or assignments except by prior written request and approval.

Regular attendance is essential to your success in this class. Attendance will be monitored via the in-class quizzes and overall average grades will be weighted according to the percent of classes attended.

Most readings will come from the text: P.L. Abbott (1999) Natural Disasters. Approximate assignments are listed in course calendar. The text is available for purchase at the bookstore.

Instructors

Bill Leeman , leeman@rice.edu, 302E, x4892
Dale Sawyer , dale@rice.edu, 205H, x5106
 

Teaching Assistants

Lanette Marcha, lmarcha@rice.edu, 306B, x5087
Kelly Titkemeier, kellyt@rice.edu, 303H, x2355
 

Calendar & topics

 

Week of (Tuesday date given):	Topic of the Week	Readings, Assignments
16 Jan	Introduction and Plate Boundary Exercise	Abbott, Ch. 1
23 Jan	Plate Tectonics	Abbott, Ch. 2
30 Jan	Earthquakes Video: Killer Quake	Abbott, Ch. 3 Homework 1 due 6 Feb
6 Feb	Earthquake Hazards Video: Earthquakes in the Holy Land	Abbott, Ch. 4&5 Homework 2 due 13 Feb Earthquake Web Project Assignment and Template
13 Feb	Begin Volcanoes - Tuesday See Bill's volcano images Web Page Tutorial - Thursday	Abbott, Ch. 6
20 Feb	Exam 1 - Tuesday For review, see Bill's Earthquake Web Page Volcanoes - Thursday	Homework 3 due 1 Mar
27 Feb	Volcano Hazards	Abbott, Ch. 7 EQ Web Report Due Friday
6 Mar	Spring Break
13 Mar	Climate Change	Abbott, Ch. 9
20 Mar	Great Dyings, Extinctions	Abbott, Ch. 14
27 Mar	Key to HW#3 Volcano & Climate study questions	Exam 2 Thursday March 29 Volcanoes & Climate Change
3 Apr	Weather and Extreme Storms	Abbott, Ch. 10 Web Project #2 guidelines   Web Project #2 Topics and Groups
10 Apr	Hurricanes	Abbott, Ch. 11
17 Apr	Floods	Abbott, Ch. 12
24 Apr	Tuesday (in class): Review for Exam 3 and Teaching Evaluations Wednesday: 7:30 AM Exam 3 for those who cannot take it on Thursday Thursday (in class): Exam 3	Exam #3 April 26 Exam Review Questions Web Project #2 due 26 April (bring URL to class)

There is no Final Exam for this course (even though one is listed in the University schedule of exams).