Winter 2011 Course Outline
NATURAL HAZARDS: GEOG-2212
(Sections 752-urban; 753-rural; 759-studio; 766-Campus MB)
Instructor:
Office:
Phone:
Email:
Homepage:
Course Web Page:
Web-TV Page:
Video Help :
WebCT :
Danny Blair
5L05
786-9236
climateguy@gmail.com (but please use WebCT email)
http://dannyblair.uwinnipeg.ca
http://dannyblair.uwinnipeg.ca/1011/nathaz/nathaz.htm
http://vod.uwinnipeg.ca/course/nat_haz/
http://vod.uwinnipeg.ca/
Use your WebAdvisor User ID and Password.
Login in at https://webct.uwinnipeg.ca
Studio Lectures:
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 1:00-2:15 pm, Room 1L10
Required Textbook: Natural Disasters (Canadian Edition), by Patrick L. Abbott an& Clair
Samson (2009)
Textbook Website: http://paris.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0070980373/student_view0/index.html
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course examines the natural hazards in our environment and their effects on society. Emphasis will
be placed on their geographical distributions, the risks that they present, the perceived risk that different
people, or groups of people, associate with them, and the various methods of response. The primary
objective is to arrive at an understanding and appreciation of the impact that extreme natural events have,
or can have, on the lives of individuals and on communities of various sizes, especially those in the socalled "developing" countries of the world. To this end, we will examine the theoretical aspects of natural
hazards studies, analyze the causes and characteristics of a few natural events in detail, and review and
assess the methods used to prevent or mitigate negative impacts.
THIS IS A WEB-BASED TV TELECOURSE:
Since this is a video-on-demand (VOD) course, it has two types of students: (1) those who are in the
classroom (studio) with the instructor, and who can participate in the course in a traditional manner, by
asking questions and responding to questions, and (2) students who are offsite, watching slightly delayed
videos of the lectures, and who cannot, therefore, as easily participate in discussions with the instructor
and other students. However, there are ways for online students to participate: they can phone the
instructor, they can email the instructor (using WebCT), or they can participate in WebCT online
discussion groups. In any case, there are ways for the online students to become involved. We certainly
do not want them to simply sit in front of their computers or IPods, all by themselves, feeling isolated and
abandoned. For this to not happen, the online students have the responsibility of making it work; they
have to be motivated and prepared to make contact. Also, the online students must resist the temptation
to fast forward or to let unwatched episodes pile up. This is a sure fire way for the student to create a
time-management problem and to become less informed than the rest of the class.
Studio students: Don’t be afraid! Ask questions! It’s fun to be in the lecture videos!
LIST OF TOPICS TO BE COVERED:
The following is a list of the major topics I expect to cover (largely in this order), and the
relevant textbook readings. This list may be adjusted and supplemental readings will also be
provided as needed.
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Introduction to natural hazards: course objectives, paradigms, definitions, hazards vs
disasters, vulnerability, risk, trends, energy sources (Chapters 1 and 2).
Risk measurement, perception, management; mitigation vs adaptation, forecasting vs
warning (Supplemental readings to be provided).
Severe weather, droughts and hurricanes (Chapters 11 and 12).
Floods (Chapter 13).
Earthquakes and tsunamis (Chapters 3, 4, 5 and 6)
Volcanoes (Chapters 7 and 8)
Context hazards: climate variability and change, extreme catastrophe (Chapter 13).
You are responsible for all assigned textbook readings, and all supplemental reading
material, unless otherwise specified.
Lecture PowerPoints and supplemental readings will be distributed through WebCT.
GRADING:
Midterm Test (Thu. February 17)
Term Paper outline (due Thu. March 10)
Term Paper (due Thu. March 31)
Take Home Final Exam (Tue. April 5; due date TBA)
25%
5%
30%
40%
Final grades will be assigned on the basis of accumulated numeric marks allocated throughout
the term. Letter grades are typically determined using the following numeric groupings as
guidelines:
90-100% = A+; 82-89 = A; 79-81 = A-; 75-78 = B+; 70-74 = B; 65-69 = C+; 55-64 = C; 50-54 = D; < 50 = F
Note: The numeric boundaries separating letter grades may be adjusted at the request of the
Departmental Review Committee and/or the University Senate.
Alternate test dates will be considered in very exceptional cases and for legitimate reasons only;
vacation travel is not an acceptable reason. If you must miss a test, you must contact your
instructor asap (phone or email) or in person immediately upon your return to the university.
Documentation (i.e., proof of illness or circumstances beyond your control) is required before
alternate arrangements can be made.
A detailed explanation of the Term Paper assignment will be provided when it is assigned. Late
assignments will be penalized at the rate of 10% per day. The Term Paper must be typed or text
processed; an electronic version of the paper must also be provided. A valid UofW student card
must be shown at the midterm test and final exam.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Thu. January 6
Tue. February 1
Thu. February 17
Mon. February 21
February 21-26
Fri. March 4
Thu. March 10
Thu. March 31
Tue. April 5
Tue. April 5
Fri. April 22
First lecture
Term paper assigned
Midterm Test (in class; evening for online students)
Louis Riel Day (University closed)
Midterm Reading Week (no lectures or labs)
Final date to withdraw without academic penalty
Outline of Term Paper due (4:00 pm)
Term paper due (4:00 pm)
Final lecture
Take Home Final Exam delivered (due date/time TBA)
Good Friday (University closed)
Please refer to the 2010-2011 Course Calendar (http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/index/calendar-calendar) for
additional dates and schedules.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Students are expected to conduct themselves according to the standards and regulations set out
by the University of Winnipeg. The University Senate would like you to be particularly aware of
the following regulations appearing in the 2010-2011 Course Calendar under Regulations &
Policies: GRADING (Section 4); GRADE APPEALS (Regulation Section 10), and;
ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT and DISCIPLINE (Section 8).
Students are expected to attend all lectures. Please refer to the section dealing with
ATTENDANCE (see Section 3 of Regulations & Policies) in the 2010-2011 Course Calendar.
Please be considerate. While in class deactivate all cell phones, pagers, watch alarms, and
any other device that may emit noises. If you arrive late for a lecture, please enter the room
quietly (being late is better than being absent).
Students with documented disabilities requiring academic accommodations for tests/exams (e.g.,
private space) or during lectures/laboratories (e.g., access to volunteer note-takers) are
encouraged to contact the Coordinator of Disability Services (DS) at 786-9771 to discuss
appropriate options. All information about disability is confidential.