Geology 7 – Natural Disasters – Spring 2012
Section 1, Tues-Thurs 12:00-1:15, 1004 Del Norte
Section 2, Tues-Thurs 1:30-2:45, 301 Sequoia
Instructor:
Dr. Lisa Hammersley
Office:
Office Hrs:
1000 Placer Hall
Tues 10:00 – 11:00
Weds 11:00 – 12:00
Or by appointment
Please contact me through the email function on SacCT.
Email:
Course Content
This course covers many of the natural hazards and disasters that confront people every day
around the world. It is hoped that the student will come away with a better appreciation of the
powerful world we live in and an understanding of how to deal with natural hazards that can
affect us all.
Catalog Description
An examination of earth materials and earth processes through the study of catastrophes.
Topics include earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, floods, tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes and
meteorite impacts. Examination of causes, effects and mitigation of natural disasters. No
prerequisite. Lecture. 3 units. GE area B1.
Student Learning Objectives:
 Explain the role of science in understanding, predicting, and mitigating natural disasters
 Evaluate the scientific evidence for plate tectonics
 Integrate the concept of plate tectonic boundaries with natural processes such as
earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides and volcanic activity
 Relate seismic activity to damage associated with earthquakes
 Compare and contrast volcanic eruption styles and products
 Describe factors and interactions that are responsible for landslides and other forms of
mass wasting
 Understand the basic principles of climate and weather
 Evaluate the evidence for global climate change and its impact on society
 Describe, explain and illustrate the natural and artificial causes of river flooding
 Describe and explain the evidence for meteorite impacts as causes of environmental
catastrophes and mass extinctions
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Required Text:
Abbott, Patrick, L., Natural Disasters (8th Edition)
McGraw Hill Publishers. Available in the bookstore
**One of the best study practices in any class is to read the assigned sections before coming to
class and again, more carefully after class.
SacCT 9.1
Online material for this course, such as homework assignments, lecture slides and grades will
be available through SacCT 9.1. You can login to SacCT at http://www.csus.edu/sacct/. In order
to access the course website you will need a saclink account. If you do not have a saclink
account you can get one by going to https://www.saclink.csus.edu/saclink/, clicking on register
and following the instructions.
Please note: this is a new version of SacCT that is being phased in at Sac State. You access
courses in SacCT 9.1 on a separate page to your regular SacCT courses and it looks quite
different. There is an orientation course available to all students (see www.csus.edu/sacct/
for information). Please let me know if you are experiencing any difficulties.
Grading
Exams:
Homework:
75% of course grade
25% of course grade (all homework exercises will be weighted equally)
Exams
There are four exams; three during the semester and one during finals week. The dates of these
exams are shown on the class schedule. Any changes to these dates will be announced in class
and on the class SacCT page. Exams will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions
and will cover material covered since the last exam. Your three highest exam scores will be
counted toward your final grade. No make-up exams will be given.
Homework Assignments
Homework will be assigned weekly in the form of online quizzes through SacCT. You are
expected to do all of the homework assignments even if you miss class. The due date for each
homework will be shown clearly on SacCT and access to the homework will close at the
specified time. No late homeworks will be accepted.
Grade assignment
Letter grades will be based on a scale no more severe than the following:
A
B
C
D
F
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
Below 60%
Plus and minus grades will also be given
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Extra Credit
Extra credit points for this course may be earned by bringing a copy of a natural disaster-related
news item to class. The event or study must occur during the semester (i.e. reports of the Haiti
earthquake do not count). Each item you turn in is worth 1% extra credit (assigned to your total
for the course at the end of the semester). Up to 3% extra credit may be earned.
Attendance and Class Rules
 Attendance is required. I will take roll at random during the semester.
 Participation in class discussions is highly encouraged and questions are welcomed.
 Please turn your cell phones OFF while in class. Ringing phones are very distracting to
others in the room. If you are expecting an important call that you have to answer, please
inform me before the beginning of class and leave your phone on silent mode.
 Please try to arrive on time. If you are late, please enter quietly to minimize disruption to
the class.
 If you need to leave class early (i.e. for an appointment), please let me know beforehand.
 Students in this class are expected to conduct themselves in a mature and scholarly
manner. Please do not chat with other students during lecture as this is extremely
disruptive for those around you who are trying to listen.
Academic Honesty
You are expected to do your own work in this course and act with integrity in completing all
assignments. You are encouraged to confer with other students during in-class activities and
while doing your homework or studying for exams. However, all work handed in must be your
own and cheating during exams will not be tolerated. All instances of academic dishonesty will
be dealt with harshly, with consequences that range from a zero for the assignment to a grade
of F in the course and a referral to the Office of Student Affairs for disciplinary action.
Reasonable Accommodation Policy
If you have a disability and require accommodations, you need to provide disability
documentation to Services for Students with Disabilities (SSWD). For more information please
visit the SSWD website (http://www.csus.edu/sswd/). They are located in Lassen Hall 1008 and
can be contacted by phone at (916) 278-6955 (Voice) (916) 278-7239 (TDD only) or via email at
sswd@csus.edu.
Please discuss your accommodation needs with me after class or during my office hours early in
the semester.
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