Great Basin College
Natural Disasters – INT 369 Section 1002 (online)
Fall 2012 - 3 Credits
Professor
Caroline R Bruno
Office
Lundberg 109D
Office Hours
M, W, 8:30-10:00am
T, Th 1:00-2:00pm Or
appointments via Skype
Contact:
775-753-2204 (WebCampus email
preferred)
WebCampus email
Skype UserName: CarolineRBruno
Text:
Smith and Petley. Environmental Hazards: Assessing risk and reducing disaster. 5th edition.
Routledge. 2009. ISBN 10:0-415-42865-3 (paperback)
(This book is available to students through the GBC Library Database in EBSCO ebooks. However,
you may want to rent an ebook to ensure you have access to the book at all times.)
Required Materials:
Web camera
Subscription to Skype Premium (for group discussions): Students will need to register and pay for a
Skype premium membership http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/prices/premium. A three-month
membership to Skype Premium is $6.74 a month. Register for Skype Premium at least a day in
advance of the first discussion to make sure it works properly.
Catalog Description:
An integrative seminar on topics in science. The topics will vary to address needs and interests of
programs. Course fulfills the upper-division integrative science general education requirements.
May be repeated once for credit if the topics are different. Prerequisites: 40 or more total credits
including ENG 102 or ENG 333, MATH 120 (or any mathematics course numbered 126 or higher,
including AMS 310 or STAT 152).
Course Description:
This course will examine Mother Nature’s temperamental side. The science behind natural disasters
such as earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, floods, and hurricanes will be discussed. In addition to
learning about the geologic principles responsible for these events, we will analyze historical and
current case studies to gain a broader understanding of how these grand disasters impact
humans.
Objectives:
The objective of this course is to understand the geologic settings and atmospheric conditions
responsible for the development of natural disasters, and how natural disasters impact human lives
and our interconnected societies. The professor hopes students will build empathy for those people
and communities impacted by tragic natural forces.
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Method of Instruction:
This is a fast-paced, rigorous online course. Students are responsible for checking WebCampus
frequently to participate in discussions, obtain reading material, respond to emails, and complete
assessments.
Each topic in the course is associated with a learning module on WebCampus. In addition to the
reading material shown on the course schedule, a plethora of online materials – such as
newspaper articles, videos, photos, and animations are included in each learning module. The
professor highly recommends reviewing these materials to gain a broad understanding of the topic
or case study.
Learner Outcomes and Measurement:
The following table presents the expected learner outcomes for INT 369. Learner outcomes will be
measured each time the class is taught as shown in the table below. Results from the assessments
will be analyzed. Instruction in future semesters will be altered based on the analysis.
Learner Outcomes
Measurement/Assessment
1. Identify and explain the geologic settings
Quizzes 1-4, 6-10
responsible for various types of natural disasters.
Topic Presentation
Final Exam
2. Identify the conditions responsible for the
Quiz 5
formation of severe atmospheric disturbances.
Topic Presentation
Final Exam
3. Describe how communities can prepare for,
Discussion Posts 1-4
predict, and assess risk for natural disasters.
Final Exam
4. Describe how communities can respond to
Discussion Posts 1-4
natural disasters.
Final Exam
5. Describe how natural disasters impact humans
Writing Assignments 1-4
on local, regional, and global scales.
Term Paper
Final Exam
Evaluation:
Quizzes:
Students will complete quizzes associated with each topic. Generally, quizzes will focus on
foundational material about the geologic or atmospheric processes behind each natural disaster
discussed. They will be available on Tuesdays through Sundays. Quiz availability will not be
extended under any circumstances. Take quizzes from a computer with a speedy and reliable
internet connection. Immediately contact the GBC Helpdesk if technical problems arise.
Skype Discussions:
Students will meet with assigned discussion groups four times a semester to discuss current events
and lecture material. Students are responsible for scheduling discussion times in advance of the
due date and reporting the discussion time to the professor. Discussions must last at least 45
minutes. The discussion topics will focus on Learner Outcomes 3 and 4.
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Following the Skype Discussions, each student will post a substantial 300-word response to
discussion topics and thoughtfully respond to two fellow student posts. Responses MUST incorporate
information from the required reading material.
Writing Assignments:
Students will submit four short writing assignments. Writing assignment topics based on Learner
Outcome 5 will be posted at least two weeks prior to the due date. Responses MUST incorporate
information from the required reading material.
Presentations:
To help develop presentation and ‘public’ speaking skills, students will be responsible for the
following assignments:
Video introduction - Students will introduce themselves in a 2-3 minute video.
Topic Presentation -- Students will each prepare and record a 10 - 15 minute presentation that
introduces topics regarding natural disasters. The focus of the presentation will discuss either 1. The
geologic setting responsible for the natural disaster selected, or 2. The conditions responsible for the
formation of severe atmospheric disturbances for the natural disaster selected (Learner Objectives
1 or 2). Each student must submit a PowerPoint presentation or notes for other students to use as a
study aid. The professor highly recommends submitting your project at least 4 days in advance of
the due date to receive feedback before the presentation is released to the entire class. Students
may use webcams to produce these projects. Instructions for the presentations will be available
during the first week of the semester.
Final Project:
Students will select a specific natural disaster, such as ‘The Eruption of Krakatoa,’ and report on
how each of the course’s Learner Outcomes relates to the chosen topic. The Final Project topic
must be approved by the professor by Tuesday, September 25. Students will need to choose a
topic that is different than the case studies presented in class. Students will be responsible for
submitting several small, preparation assignments leading up to the Final Project.
Short Comprehensive Final Exam:
A multiple choice final will focus on the learner outcomes outlined above.
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Grading:
Grading will be based on the Chapter quizzes, four writing assignments and the final exam. All
scores will be added together at the end of the semester, and the percentage of the total possible
points will determine the grade.
Extra credit opportunities are not available.
Grades will be based on the following divisions:
A
95-100%
A-
90-94%
B+
87-89%
B
84-86%
B-
80-83%
C+
77-79%
C
74-76%
C-
70-73%
D+
67-69%
D
64-66%
D-
60-63%
F
<59%
A student may receive a “W” grade only if withdrawal occurs before the end of the thirteenth week
of the semester. To withdraw, the student must inform the instructor verbally or in writing why the
withdrawal is taking place, and must formally withdraw through student services. Anyone who
does not formally withdraw and does not complete the course will receive an ‘F’ grade. ‘I’ grades
for ‘incomplete’ will be given only under the most extenuating circumstances, and only with the
prior approval of the instructor.
Attendance Policy:
It is important to log into the class frequently to stay up to date with reading, assignments and
quizzes.
It is the student’s responsibility to complete assignments and assessments
on time.
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Hints for Success:

In order to pass this course you MUST actively participate in your
education and study!

Keep up to date on reading.

ASK questions if you are confused. Your professor wants to HELP you!

Take quizzes from a reliable computer with reliable internet service.
Additional Course Information:

Technical problems with WebCampus need to be addressed to the GBC
Helpdesk (753-2167).

Extra credit opportunities are NOT available.

All communication in this course must be polite, formal and respectful.
Page 5
Student Conduct Policy:
Students are expected to follow the Student Conduct Policy for students in the Nevada System of
Higher Education (NSHE) outlined in the GBC Catalog. Students will specifically be held
accountable for behaving in a civil and respectful manner toward other students and the
professor in all communications.
The college catalog states, “Messages, attitudes, or any other form of communication deemed to
be outside the bounds of common decency/civility as judged by common standards of classroom
behavior (determined, as they would be in a regular classroom, by the instructor) will not be
tolerated”.
Pay particular attention to those last four words. Any student who behaves rudely to another
student or to the instructor will be dropped from the course immediately.
Academic Honesty:
Academic dishonesty, in any form, such as, cheating and plagiarism, will not be tolerated by the
instructor AND Great Basin College. Academic dishonesty can result in failing the class, academic
suspension, or expulsion. All tests, quizzes, laboratories, and other assignments must be the
student’s OWN work. Plagiarism is presenting someone else’s word, ideas or data as one’s
own. When a student submits work that includes the words, ideas, or data of others, the source of
that information must be acknowledged through complete, accurate, and specific references;
and if verbatim statements are included, through quotation marks as well. In academically honest
writing or speaking, the students will acknowledge the source whenever:



Another person’s actual words are quoted
Another person’s idea, opinion or theory is used, even if it is completely paraphrased in
the student’s own words
Facts, statistics, or other illustrative materials are borrowed, unless the information is
common knowledge
Students with Disabilities:
The college catalog states, “Great Basin College is committed to providing equal educational
opportunities to qualified students with disabilities in accordance with state and federal laws and
regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973. A qualified student must furnish current verification of disability. The ADA
Officer, located in Berg Hall, will assist qualified students with disabilities in securing the appropriate
and reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aids, and services. For more information or further
assistance, please call 775.753.2271”.
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INT 369 Course Schedule for Fall 2012:
Week
1 –Aug 27
Topic
Reading
Assignments/Assessments
The Nature of
WebCampus Resources
Introductory Video Due
Hazards 1
Smith and Petley Ch 1 and 3
SIGN UP FOR TOPIC
PRESENTATIONS!!
2 – Sept 3
3 – Sept 10
The Nature of
WebCampus Resources
Hazards 2
Smith and Petley Ch 4 and 5
Discussion Post #1
Earthquakes:
WebCampus Resources
(No official assignment due,
Overview
Smith and Petley Ch 6
although you should be
researching Final Project Topics)
Earthquakes:
4 – Sept 17
WebCampus Resources
Writing Assignment #1
WebCampus Resources
Final Project Topic due
Volcanoes:
Smith and Petley Ch 7
Discussion Post #2
Overview
WebCampus Resources
Volcanoes: Case
(Benediktsson, Lund and
studies –
Huijbens)
Eyjafjallajökull,
(Budd, Griggs and Howarth)
Case studies –
Haiti, San
Francisco
Tsunami: Case
5 – Sept 24
Studies – Japan,
Indonesia
6 – Oct 1
7 – Oct 8
Update on Final Project
Krakatoa
8 – Oct 15
Severe Storms:
10 – Oct 29
11 - Nov 5
12 - Nov 12
13 – Nov 19
Writing Assignment #2
WebCampus Resources
Discussion Post #3
Overview
Severe Storms:
9 – Oct 22
Smith and Petley Ch 9
Case Studies --
List of Resources for Final
Katrina
Project
Floods: Overview
Smith and Petley Ch 11
Writing Assignment #3
WebCampus Resources
Floods: Case
WebCampus Resources
Discussion Post #4
WebCampus Resources
Course Drop Deadline
Studies
Sinkholes:
Overview and
Rough Draft on Final Project
Case Studies
Due
Mass Movements:
Smith and Petley Ch 8
Writing Assignment #4
(Fleming, Varnes and Schuster)
Final Project
WebCampus Resources
Open discussion! 
Overview
14 – Nov 26
15-Dec 3
16-Dec 10
Mass Movements:
Case studies
Asteroid Impact!
BAM!
Finals Week
Final Exam
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General Education Objectives and INT 369
General Education Objectives
Learner Outcomes (as identified
Measurement
above)
1. Communication Skills – Strong
1. Identify and explain the
Quizzes 1-10
This seminar requires substantial
geologic settings responsible for
Introductory Video
written communication, as well as
various types of natural disasters.
Topic Presentation
a moderate amount of online
2. Identify the conditions
Final Exam
discussion via Skype video
responsible for the formation of
conferencing.
severe atmospheric
disturbances.
2. Critical Thinking – Strong
3. Describe how communities
Discussion Posts 1-4
Independent thought is
can prepare for and predict
Final Exam
encouraged throughout the
natural disasters.
semester. Students will analyze
5. Describe how natural disasters
quantitative and qualitative data
impact humans on local,
about natural disasters.
regional, and global scales.
3. Personal and Cultural
3. Describe how communities
Discussion Posts 1-4
Awareness – Strong
can prepare for and predict
Writing Assignments 1-4
Students will learn how societies
natural disasters.
Final Project
are impacted by natural disasters.
4. Describe how communities
Final Exam
can respond to natural disasters.
5. Describe how natural disasters
impact humans on local,
regional, and global scales.
4. Personal Wellness – Strong
Discussion Posts 1-4
Students will learn how to prepare
3. Describe how communities
for and respond to natural
can prepare for and predict
disasters.
natural disasters.
Final Exam
4. Describe how communities
can respond to natural disasters.
5. Technological Understanding –
5. Describe how natural disasters
Writing Assignments 1-4
Moderate
impact humans on local,
Final Project
Students will use Canvas to
regional, and global scales.
Final Exam
retrieve information about course
content. They will use online
databases for research projects.
Page 8
Works Cited
Abbott, P. (2012). Natural Disasters (8th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw Hill.
Benediktsson, K., Lund, K. A., & Huijbens, E. (2001). Inspired by Eruptions? Eyjafjallajokull and
Icelandic Tourism. Mobilities, 6(1), 77-84.
Budd, L., Griggs, S., Howarth, D., & Ison, S. (2011). A Fiasco of Volcanic Proportions? Eyjafjallajokull
and the Closure of European Airspace. Mobilities, 6(1), 31-40.
Cohen, E. (2009). Death in paradise: tourist fatalities in the tsunami disaster in Thailand. Current
Issues in Tourism, 183-199.
Farmer, P. (2011). Haiti after the earthquake. New York, NY: Public Affairs.
Fleming, R., Varnes, D., & Schuster, R. (2007, November). Landslide Hazards and Their Reduction.
Journal of the American Planning Association, 45(4), 428-439.
Hess, D. (2011). McKnight's Physical Geography: A Landscape Appreciation (10th ed.). Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Hyndman, D., & Hyndman, D. (2011). Natural Hazards and Disasters (3rd ed.). Belmont, CA:
Brooks/Cole.
Karan, P. P., & Subbiah, S. P. (2011). The Indian Ocean Tsunami: The Global Response to a Natural
Disaster. Lexington, KY: The University Press of Kentucky.
Plummer, C. C., Carlson, D. H., & Hammersley, L. (2013). Physical Geology. New York: McGraw Hill.
Smith, K., & Petley, D. N. (2009). Environmental Hazards: Assessing risk and reducing disaster (5th
ed.). New York: Routledge.
The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. (2010). Natural Hazards, UnNatural
Disasters. The Economics of Effective Prevention. Washington, D.C: The World Bank.
Winchester, S. (2005). The Crack in the Edge of the World. New York: Harper.
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