**ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS**

**GEOGRAPHY 640-001**

**Spring Semester 2002**

**Instructor: Dr. Robert M. Schwartz**

**Office: CL 426L**

**Office Hours: T,TH 10:00-11:30, 3:30-4:00; or by appointment**

**Office Phone: 285-1761**

**Meeting: Thursday, 6:30-9:10 p.m.**

**Classroom: CL 471**

**Catalog Description:** Study of a topic in atmospheric science within
the expertise of the instructor. Examples include
land-surface-atmosphere interactions, meso-scale meteorology,
hydroclimatology, climate change, and tropical weather and climate.

**Course Description:** Overview of the theories, processes, and
applications of natural and technological hazards from a geographic
perspective. Topics involve investigation beyond the basic physical
processes to include mitigation strategies and emergency management
considerations. Some of the subjects include earthquakes, volcanoes,
wildfires, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, winter storms, oil spills,
chemical releases, and environmental terrorism.

**Course Objectives:** This course will provide opportunities to become
familiar with the scientific processes associated with various natural
and technological hazards from a geographic perspective**.** Besides an
introduction to the processes, investigations in the mitigation and
emergency management issues will be discussed. The class is a seminar
format instead of traditional lectures. It is very important for you to
do the assigned readings and be involved in the discussions. There is no
text as journal articles and case studies will be utilized to promote
critical thinking which is a basis for learning rather than memorizing
material.

**Course Rationale:** Geography students spend much of their course work
learning basic theories and technologies in the traditional lecture
format but their education is lacking without exposure to philosophies
and techniques associated with research and interpreting research
results. This course will add to your background in examining real-world
problems from a geographic perspective in a seminar format.

**Course Materials:**

No required text.

**Course Policies:**

**Attendance:**

The official Ball State University attendance policy is stated as
follows: ***"The student's official course program is regarded as a
contract with the university. Since full performance requires, in part,
regular and punctual class attendance, students are expected to attend
all classes for which they are registered."***

Following this policy, **[ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY]{.underline}**. This
policy will be enforced by deducting 10 points from your participation
total for each un-excused absence. Attendance will be tracked and this
policy will be enforced. Legitimate excuses such as health-related or an
emergency will be allowed if properly documented. If you know you will
miss a class, please contact me in advance.

**Tardiness:**

It is both rude and distracting to students and the instructor if you
arrive late to class. Tardiness will be recorded and 5 points will be
deducted from your participation total for each day you arrive late. If
you have a previous class on the other side of campus, you must submit a
copy of your official schedule at the beginning of the semester for
allowances to be made.

**Distractions:**

Pagers and cell phones **[must]{.underline}** be turned off before
attending class. Rudely interrupting others will not be tolerated as it
is a major distraction for fellow students and the instructor. If you
are getting ill in class or need the restroom, please leave and/or
return as quietly as possible.

**Disabilities:**

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a
disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with me,
or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be
evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible. My
office location and hours are listed on the front page of this syllabus.

**Academic Dishonesty:**

The Ball State University policy on academic dishonesty states the
following: ***"Academic dishonesty by a student will not be tolerated,
for it threatens the foundation of an institution dedicated to the
pursuit of knowledge."*** Academic dishonesty includes, but is not
limited to, the following: 1) Violations of procedures which protect the
integrity of a quiz, examination, or similar evaluation; 2) Plagiarism
or violations of procedures prescribed to protect the integrity of an
assignment;

3\) Cooperation with another person in academic dishonesty, either
directly or indirectly as an intermediary agent or broker; 4) Knowingly
destroying or altering another student's work whether in written form,
computer files, art work, or other format; and 5) Aiding, abetting, or
attempting to commit an act or action which would constitute academic
dishonesty.

Academic dishonesty will be dealt with in a very aggressive manner
according to the procedure prescribed in Section VIII.(C) of the Student
Code.

**Important Note for Students Who Did Not Attend the First Official
Class Meeting:**

You are responsible for all material presented in class for the days you
have missed, regardless of when you enrolled.

**Responsibility:**

The instructor assumes the responsibility of informing students of any
changes in policy or due dates. This will be done by class
announcements. Each student assumes the responsibility for obtaining any
information. Failure to attend class is not an acceptable excuse for not
knowing of any changes.

**Reading Assignments:**

Readings are an integral part of this course. Additional readings will
consist of various sources such as handouts, journal articles, and
web-based material. You should read the assigned material before the
class when the material will be discussed, which is normal class
preparation for any student.

**Assignments:**

Assignments must be completed to the best of your ability. Besides your
grade being based on your content, organization and the overall
appearance of your product will be considered. Work should be neat, with
correct spelling and acceptable grammar. All calculations (if
appropriate) must be shown and **multiple pages must be stapled together
or they will not be accepted**.

Assignments will be passed out in class with an adequate amount of time
to complete and are to be turned-in at the **beginning of the class on
the due date**. Late assignments will have five points deducted after
this time and additional points will be deducted for each additional day
the assignment is late.

**Final Exam:**

The final exam period is scheduled for Thursday, 2 May at 7:00-9:00. Per
university regulations, if you have more than two exams on the same day,
please contact me with a copy of your schedule.

**Final Semester Grades:**

The approximate proportional value of this semester's course-work is as
follows:

General Participation (discussion) 150 points

10 points per class

Lead Discussant for Articles 120 points

20 points for 6 articles

Assignments:

Paper 1 100 points

Process Papers 140 points

7@ 20 points

Comparative Book Review 200 points

Research Project 250 points

200 paper and 50 for the presentation

Total 960 points

Participation is more than just attending class. It also includes being
an active member during discussions. If you have a different opinion,
that is allowable, as long as you back up your point and do not make
personal attacks. Remember, as a seminar course, this your class. It
requires your input to make it a success.

As a lead discussant, you will select an article and be the facilitator
on the article. All articles must be approved by the instructor and
distributed by the prior week. Each person will be the lead discussant
six times unless enrollment varies. Each hazard will be examined for the
physical processes, mitigation strategies, emergency management
considerations, and policy implications. You will get practical
experience searching the library and utilizing Inter-Library Loan for
articles. Quality of articles selected will also be considered in your
grade.

Paper 1 will be assigned with written instructions. A comparative book
review involves reading two books about a similar topic, reviewing the
books, and comparing the two books.

Process papers involve writing the main physical processes involved with
specific hazards. Required topics include earthquakes, volcanoes,
thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and two technological hazards.

The research project involves selecting a hazard of interest and
examining a specific aspect of that hazard. Suggestions include case
studies and can involve evacuation, mitigation, or policy issues. The
same general hazard may be selected by more than one individual, but
different aspects or approaches must be selected. It is first come,
first serve on the topics. An oral presentation is also mandatory.

Final grade assignments will be made according to the following
schedule:

A \>91%

1.  89-91%

B+ 86-88%

B 82-85%

2.  79-81%

C+ 76-78%

C 72-75%

3.  69-71%

D+ 66-68%

D 62-65%

4.  59-61%

F \<59%

**Important Dates:**

January 11 Last day for registration and change-of-course

January 21 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, No Class

February 7 First course withdrawal period ends

March 8 Last course withdrawal period ends

March 10-16 Spring Break, No Class

March 19-23 AAG, No Class

May 2 Final Exam Period, 2:15-4:15

**Course Outline:**

January 10 Introduction to Course; What are Hazards?

January 17 Earthquakes

January 24 Volcanoes

January 31 Wildfires

February 7 Floods

February 14 Blizzards, Winter Storms, and Cold Spells

February 21 Severe Thunderstorms and Lightning

February 28 Tornadoes

March 7 Hurricanes

March 14 Spring Break

March 21 AAG

March 28 Drought and Heat Waves

April 4 Chemical Releases

April 11 Oil Spills

April 18 Environmental Terrorism

April 25 Last Day of Class; Make up session or Presentation of Final
Projects

May 2 Final Exam Period; Presentation of Final Projects if necessary

**Note: The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this
schedule and/or policies.**

**Instructor's Expectations:**

A seminar course requires that you are an active participant to become
successful. The more effort you put into the class, the better it is for
you and your colleagues. This is not an easy course and will challenge
you in your personal learning and growth. I hope you will put out the
effort to succeed or you will have trouble with the class. It is
expected that you come to class prepared and synthesize the information
from the various sources. Read the material before the class. A common
time is that students should spend two hours on work for every hour in
class.

I have specific expectations regarding attendance, tardiness, and
completion by due dates. Hopefully this will prepare you for future
employment in a professional environment. What happens when you show up
late for work? Or skip work? Most likely you will lose your job. When
projects are late, if you miss appointments, or if you don't do your
work in a professional manner, you'll probably be fired. This is the
real world as owners or supervisors are not very tolerant in the
workplace. So in this course, you are the employees and your check is
your grade.

For your commitment, I also will operate in a professional manner. I
pledge to do the best job I'm capable of teaching environmental hazards.
You should gain something worthwhile for your 3-credit hour investment
if you accept the challenge of the class and work hard to learn the
different concepts associated with hazards from a geographic
perspective.