Geology 105 (Fall 2007) Instructor: Robert J. Varga Teaching Associates:

Instructor: Robert J. Varga (Scovel Hall 117, x2202)

Course Goals: Geologic hazards will physically or financially affect most of us at some point in our lives. Although often associated with more spectacular phenomena, such as volcanic eruptions ($4 billion damage in 1980 in U.S. alone) or earthquakes ($6 billion in 1989 in U.S.), geologic hazards also include coastal erosion, swelling soils, and various geologic materials such as radon and asbestos which are far less dramatic, but no less costly. Single geologic events in history compare with some of the most severe catastrophes of modern society, such as the up to 6 million people directly or indirectly killed by flooding in China in 1931! During the semester we will survey the physical processes of geologic hazards, review instructive historical examples of these hazards, and discuss methods of damage mitigation and societal response to the threat of geologic hazards. The goal of the course is to provide students with the basic tools to intelligently discuss public issues related to geologic hazards and to assess potential geologic hazards posed in every day life.

Teaching Assistants: none this semester

Texts: Our required text is;

Hyndman, D. and Hyndman, D., 2006, Natural Hazards and Disasters: Belmont, CA, Thomson Brooks/Cole, 510 p.

Additional required readings can be accessed as PDF files from clickable links in the Syllabus (see below).

Assigned Readings: Reading assignments are expected to have been completed prior to the class period. Readings will be topics of classroom discussion (as well subject of quiz and examination questions) so please come prepared! Assigned readings are shown below with the lecture schedule and use the following acronyms;

H&H--this refers to pages in our textbook.

Other readings, noted by clickable links in the syllabus, take you to ERes, the Electronic Reserve System at Consort. Their address is:

To access our readings, you will need to twice enter a password that I will give you in class. If you have any problems accessing the ERes system, please contact Mr. Wes Tree in Timken Science Library. Typical problems involve lack of RAM memory on student-owned computers...remember, you can always use the RAM-rich computers in the libraries or any campus computer lab. In other words, there is no excuse for not accessing the assigned readings!

Preparation Questions: In addition to the assigned reading, you are asked to answer several "Preparation Questions" and bring these to class. Often these questions will related directly to the reading. At times you will be directed to the WEB to answer questions. These questions will be handed out to you during the class prior to the class at which they are due to be finished. The questions will also be posted on our website so that you should always have access to them. During the class the questions are due, I will normally call on students to give their answers. Occasionally I will ask for all the papers of a particular day to be turned in at the beginning of class to be graded as quizzes. Feel free to use any sources of information, though, including other books, articles, handouts or the Web.

Web Exercises: There are several WEB exercises that will be collected during the course of the semester. These will be factored into your grade together with quiz grades.

Quizzes: A number of quizzes will be given during the first 5-10 minutes of class period; these may be announced or unannounced. A zero will be recorded for students not attending lecture on a quiz day or to students arriving to class late after a quiz has been administered. The lowest two quiz scores may be discarded to calculate the final cumulate quiz percentage. Many of the quizzes will involve the required reading to be done prior to the class meeting.

Examinations and Grading: There will be two"midterm" examinations and a comprehensive final exam will also be given during finals week.

Grading System: The grading system for this class is as follows:

Late assignments will be lowered a full grade for each full day the assignment is late...remember to hand late assignments in as a low grade is infinately better than a recorded zero!!

Office Hours: I will not have "official" office hours. Instead, I am available by appointment at various times throughout the week. I have a schedule of available times posted on my office door. Please visit and ask any questions that you have!

Ethics: Students are expected to observe the rules of academic conduct as outlined in The Scot's Key. The penalty for cheating on any assignment, quiz or exam is an "F" in the course.

Conflicts with Sports, Band, etc. The College's policy on conflicts between academic and "extracurricular" activities is as follows; "The College of Wooster is an academic institution and its fundamental purpose is to stimulate its students to reach the highest standard of intellectual achievement. As an academic institution with this purpose, the College expects students to give the highest priority to their academic responsibilities. When conflicts arise between academic commitments and complementary programs (including athletic, cultural, educational, and volunteer activities), students, faculty, staff, and administrators all share the responsibility of minimizing and resolving them. As a student you have the responsibility to inform the faculty member of potential conflicts as soon as you are aware of them, and to discuss and work with the faculty member to identify alternative ways to fulfill your academic commitments without sacrificing the academic integrity and rigor of the course."