Page 1
Online GEOL/GEOG 106: Introduction to Natural Hazards & Disasters
5 credits ? Bellevue College – Autumn 2014
Instructor: Gwyneth Jones (Gwyn) Email: gwjones@bellevuecollege.edu
Class Meetings: None (this is an online section) Office Hours: Online (by appointment)
Canvas Site: https://bc.instructure.com Backup Site: http://scidiv.bellevuecollege.edu/gj
Course Description
This course provides a general introduction to the interdisciplinary field of natural hazards and natural disasters. It is oriented toward non?science majors, but can also
be a good starting point for those who may want to explore related academic and career opportunities. Primary focus is on earth and atmospheric hazards that appear
rapidly, often without warning. Emphasis is placed on the interrelationships among hazards; the roles humans play in potential disasters; and how, through education, to
minimize future problems.
Prerequisites
This course has no prerequisites.
Instructional Delivery
Our course section is in online mode. There are no on?campus class meetings. The course is delivered entirely via Canvas. You will need to learn independently, and
submit your work via Canvas (discussion boards, file uploads, etc). I will post course assignment instructions, official announcements, etc in Canvas (bookmark the
backup site: http://scidiv.bellevuecollege.edu/gj).
If you are new to Canvas, or struggled with technology in the past, I highly recommend that you: Watch the Canvas Student Orientation videos and Register for and
complete a Canvas Online Workshop . (They also offer on?campus workshops, if you live nearby.)
o For Instructure help with Canvas: http://help.instructure.com/home
o For BC help with Canvas: http://depts.bellevuecollege.edu/helpdesk/students/canvas/
o For BC help with other tech issues: http://depts.bellevuecollege.edu/helpdesk/students/
o To contact the BC Distance Learning office: http://bellevuecollege.edu/distance/Canvas_classroom.asp
Required Texts/Materials
This course has been developed to reduce costs without compromising learning. New and used books are often available at a discount online, at used bookstores, and
from former students. Our textbook is Natural Hazards, 3rd edition, by Keller & DeVecchio (ISBN: 9780321662644). Recently these were the prices of several options:
o From the BC Bookstore (http://bcc.collegestoreonline.com): Paperback: New $93 / Used $70
o From the publisher (http://www.mypearsonstore.com): Looseleaf: $58 / E?book (instant access): 6 mo. $53
o Kindle/Readers (http://www.amazon.com): Kindle (instant access): $38 to own from Amazon.com
o Rent or buy, new or used, from Half.com, Chegg.com, Amazon, Powells, etc – Tell us what you find ? – It must be Natural Hazards, 3rd ed., by Keller & DeVecchio.
o I will try to put one or two library?use?only copies on reserve at the Bellevue College Library Media Center.
I have selected additional required readings from free, online materials (see readings lists for details); they will be posted in Canvas. You are welcome to supplement
those with other credible reference materials of your choosing; I would be happy to put some on reserve or lend them directly.Page 2
Communicating with Your Instructor, Classmates, and College Staff
I respond to students in a timely manner, and expect the same in return. I expect students to check Canvas and their Bellevue College email account at least once a day,
including weekends and holidays, and to ask immediately about any questions or concerns. It is up to you to resolve any technical issues with the assistance of the
college and/or Canvas support staff, and to keep me informed of changes to your contact information or circumstances. NOTE: College policy requires that students use
their Bellevue College student email account rather than a personal email account. Computers with email access are available on campus and at public libraries.
o Most course information… Is posted in the applicable Module in Canvas. Please check there before asking a question.
o I will announce most news… Via Canvas Announcements or BC email. I dislike CanvasMessage and do not plan to use it. Please do not use it either.
o To ask/discuss/answer a question… Post it to the Main discussion board. “Subscribe” to get updates and alerts. Interact with classmates. It helps everyone learn!
o For Canvas or technical issues… Contact the Canvas/technical help provided by BC / linked in the Modules. I will focus on the course content (natural hazards).
o To speak privately to me… Email me from your BC email account. Please do this only if it is personal or confidential!
Course Learning Objectives
By the end of the quarter, each student should be able to meet the Course Learning Objectives for this course.
Assessment of Student Learning
Assessment activities may include the following. The primary assessment activities are in bold:
• Book report
• Campus assessment project
• Case study assignment
• Class discussion (via discussion boards)
• Concept map creation
• Critical reading activity
• Current?event research
• Diagram labelling
• Diagrams comparison activity
• Environmental impacts research
• Field trip activity
• Film evaluation
• Five?minute write
• “Getting involved”
• “Go outside” activity
• Hazard City assignment
• “How do you know what you know?” activity
• “Is this a good source?” activity
• Journal article evaluation
• Journalling (on paper/online/via blogging)
• Listserv activity
• Map reading activity
• Muddiest point
• Nature sketch
• Newspaper article evaluation
• Pros & cons list or paper
• “Q&A” (summarize; write 4+ Qs; research 1 Q)
• Quiz or exam question
• Role?play activity
• Servicelearning activity
• Think?pair?share
• Timeline activity
• Websites list compilation
• “You be the professor” activity
Course Grading Policy
We are all busy people, juggling multiple activities and roles. To be fairest to everyone, no late work will be accepted for credit, and missed work cannot be made up.
Therefore, please work well ahead of the listed deadlines. Course grades will be earned as follows:
Weekly journalling assignment 40% Your lowest Journal score will be dropped at the end of the quarter.
Weekly Q&A assignment 40% Your lowest Q&A score will be dropped at the end of the quarter.
Quarter?long service?learning project 10%
Other assignments & participation/discretionary 10%
Total 100%
95?100%+ = A (4.0); 90?94% = A? (3.7); 87?89% = B+ (3.3); 83?86% = B (3.0); 80?82% = B? (2.7); 77?79% = C+ (2.3); 73?76% = C (2.0); 70?72% = C? (1.7); 68?69% = D+
(1.3); 65?67% = D (1.0); 0?64% = F (0.0).
Hardship withdrawals (“HW”) are only for documented cases of extenuating circumstances occurring after the “W” deadline. Incompletes (“I”) are only for unforeseen
situations beyond the student’s control occurring after the “W” deadline.Page 3
Other Course Policies and Resources
• Affirmation of Inclusion: Bellevue College is committed to maintaining an environment in which every member of the campus community feels welcome to
participate in the life of the college, free from harassment and discrimination. We value our different backgrounds at Bellevue College, and students, faculty, staff
members, and administrators are to treat one another with dignity and respect.
• Students with Special Needs: The Disability Resource Center (DRC) serves students with a wide array of learning challenges and disabilities. The law states that a
student may present documentation anytime and the DRC must make a good faith effort to accommodate. Please contact us as soon as possible if you have a
disability or learning challenge for which you have documentation; or if you have seen someone for treatment and you feel you may need accommodations in order
to be successful in college; or if you require assistance in case of an emergency situation, such as a fire, earthquake, etc. The DRC office is in Room B?132 at the
college’s main campus (telephone 425?564?2498 or TTY 425?564?4110; http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/drc).
• Email Account and Computing Facilities: All students registered for classes at Bellevue College are entitled to a network and email account. Your student network
account can be used to access your student email, log in to computers in labs and classrooms, connect to the BC wireless network, and log in to MyBC. To create your
account, go to: https://bellevuecollege.edu/sam By college policy, you must use your student account when communicating via email. The college offers a wide
variety of computer and learning labs to enhance learning and student success. Find current campus locations for all student labs by visiting the Computing Services
website. In addition, please have at least two off?campus locations from which you can access email and work online. Be sure the subject line of all non?Canvas
emails includes the following information. If it doesn’t, your message will probably be spam?filtered; I will not receive it!:
ONLINEG106 & WHAT THE EMAIL IS ABOUT! & YOUR INITIALS
• File Names and File Formats: I cannot keep track of files unless I know who is sending me what! Therefore…
• All of your course files – posted within Canvas or otherwise – must be named:
LASTNAMEFirstnameWhatTheFileIsONLINEG106.doc (or .pdf)
• When I open the file, what I read needs to start with a simple one?line header:
Your Name & What the Assignment Is & ONLINE GEOL/GEOG 106
• Note: Canvas and/or I cannot read Publisher (.pub), Open Document (.odt), or Word 2008 (.docx) files. If you normally use them, you must convert them to .doc or
.pdf before submitting them.
• “Netiquette” (Courtesy): You are expected to behave in a mature, professional manner. Even if you’re thick?skinned, many of your classmates are not and they
shouldn’t have to be — nor should I. I will take strong disciplinary action for improper behavior (rude, mean, offensive, discriminatory, dishonest, etc); violations
will be reported to the Dean of Students.
• Student EcoConduct: Students are expected to make decisions that have the smallest environmental impact while maximizing student learning. This includes:
Think before you print…
• Refrain from printing lecture slides. Most figures can be downloaded electronically or are in course materials that you already have in your possession.
• Turn in papers electronically when assignment instructions allow.
• Print double?sided or use the back of paper that only has writing on one side.
• Single?space your work, unless otherwise instructed.
• Select font and size for paper savings and readability. Adjust pages with just one or two lines of text.
• Use narrow margins – Most printers allow 0.5” or 0.65” margins all around.
• Reuse any paper as scratch paper; recycle it when it cannot be used any more.
• Buy recycled paper with a high post?consumer?waste content, and soy?based inks.Page 4
Recycle…
• Recycle all paper, bottles, and cans into their proper containers. There are bins throughout campus.
• Compost food and other materials in the cafeteria (C building) or science building (S building).
Save energy…
• Turn off the lights in empty classrooms. Do not study alone in classrooms or without permission.
• Adjust your computer settings so the monitor and CPU will sleep after 10 minutes of inactivity.
• Unplug personal electronic devices when not in use.
• Ride?share, carpool, bus it, bike, or walk.
• Science Division Policy on Cheating: CHEATING IS STEALING. You, the student, are expected to conduct yourself with integrity. If you cheat*, or aid someone else
in cheating, you violate a trust. If you cheat, the following actions will be taken:
• You will receive a grade of “0” on the work (exam, quiz, lab, or other assignment), where the cheating occurred. This grade cannot be dropped.
• A report of the incident will be sent to the Assistant Dean of Student Success. The Dean may file the report in your permanent record or take further disciplinary
action such as suspension or expulsion from the college. If you feel you have been unfairly accused of cheating, you may appeal. (For a description of due process,
see WAC 132H?120.)
* Cheating includes, but is not limited to: Providing or copying answers on any assignment; glancing at nearby assignments; swapping papers;
stealing; plagiarizing; lying; use of electronic information storage or communication devices to store or share answers; and illicitly giving or
receiving help on any assignment. You must each do all of your own work, and cite all of your sources. For more information, see the college
Writing Lab or Dean.
• Some cheating and plagiarism is unintentional, but “ignorance of the law is no defense”. And, the college Science Division policy is clear (see above). Therefore,
we require you to read and study “Avoiding Plagiarism, or How to Use Source Information Properly” at
http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/writinglab/plagiarism.html and PRINT OUT the PDF version. It applies to all courses, so keep it handy for your reference. If you
are at all unclear on what cheating entails (e.g., plagiarism, group work), please ask far enough in advance to allow a reply.
Want to get involved & have fun?: Bellevue College has a wide variety of clubs and programs (http://bellevuecollege.edu/stupro/club/default.asp), and students are
encouraged to start their own! Groups include: Earth & Space Sciences (ESS) Club; Sustainability & Science Association (SSA); Bite Me (Garden Club); Relief for Disaster
Club; Peer to Peer Volunteering & Tiered Mentoring Program; Service Learning Program; etcPage 5
Online Geology/Geography 106 Calendar – Autumn 2014
Additional work may be assigned during the quarter and/or dates shifted. Optional field trip dates are currently TBD.
Week
#
Dates
(SunSat) Course Module Textbook Readings Due by
TUESDAY p.m.
Due by
FRIDAY p.m.
1 Sep 21 – Sep 27 “0”: Getting Started WELCOME!
? Course starts Monday April 7:
? Log in to Canvas & peruse our site right away (Monday September 22)
? First assignments are due by end of day Friday September 26
? Watch Canvas Orientation. Canvas workshops: Online or On?Campus.
? Biography (A&B&C)
? Journal 0: Introduction
2 Sep 28 – Oct 4 A: Introduction to
Natural Hazards
Chapter 1,
Appendices A, B, C, D
? Q&A 1a ? Journal 1: Geologic Hazards Around the World
? Q&A 1b
? SLP/Field Trip Waiver
3 Oct 5 – Oct 11 B: Planet Earth & Plate
Tectonics
Chapter 2 ? Q&A 2a ? Service Project Proposal
? Journal 2: Preparedness Planning
? Q&A 2b
4 Oct 12 – Oct 18 C: Earthquakes Chapter 3 ? Q&A 3a ? Scientific Method Assignment
? Journal 3: Earthquake Case Studies
? Q&A 3b
5 Oct 19 – Oct 25 D: Tsunamis Chapter 4 ? Q&A 4a ? Journal 4: Orphan Tsunami of 1700
? Q&A 4b
6 Oct 26 – Nov 1 E: Volcanoes Chapter 5 ? Q&A 5a
? Journal 5a: Mt Rainier Role Play (position
statement)
? Journal 5b (collaborative proposal)
? Q&A 5b
7 Nov 2 – Nov 8 F: Floods Chapter 6 ? Q&A 6a ? Service Project Update
? Journal 6: Water, Water Everywhere?
? Q&A 6b
8 Nov 9 – Nov 15 G: Mass Wasting &
Coastal Hazards
Chapters 7 & 11 (& 8) ? Q&A 7a
? Pre?AIT Climate Surveys
? Journal 7: Mass Wasting in Our Lives
? Q&A 7b
9 Nov 16 – Nov 22 ? Q&A 8a—Week 1 (Ch.9&10)
? Journal 8a: An Inconvenient Truth (prefilm
questions)
? Q&A 8b—Week 1
? Journal 8b (watch the film)
10 Nov 23 – Nov 29
(Thanksgiving)
H: Weather, Climate &
Climate Change
Chapters 9 & 10 & 12 & 13
?Week 1: Ch. 9 & 10
?Week 2: Ch. 12 & 13 ? Q&A 8a—Week 2 (Ch.12&13)
? Journal 8c (reflection)
? Q&A 8b—Week 2
? Journal 8d (response)
11 Nov 30 – Dec 6 I: Course Synthesis — ? Journal 10: Course Synthesis (Note: This
journal grade cannot be dropped)
? Service Project Completion
? You’re done! Happy Winter Break! ?
Your Service Project topic is: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
GEOL/GEOG 106 TEXTBOOK: Natural Hazards: Earth’s Processes as Hazards, Disasters, and Catastrophes – 3rd edition, by Keller & DeVecchio