SRJC Course Outlines

12/8/2024 7:22:08 PMGEOL 20 Course Outline as of Fall 2025

Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  GEOL 20Title:  NATURAL DISASTERS  
Full Title:  Natural Disasters
Last Reviewed:9/23/2024

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum3.00Lecture Scheduled3.0017.5 max.Lecture Scheduled52.50
Minimum3.00Lab Scheduled06 min.Lab Scheduled0
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total3.00 Contact Total52.50
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50 

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:
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Students will learn about various geologic processes and events that have direct, often sudden and violent impacts on societies and civilizations. Discussion will focus on causes, effects, and mitigation efforts for hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, erosion and landslides, asteroid impacts, and drought.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:


Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
Students will learn about various geologic processes and events that have direct, often sudden and violent impacts on societies and civilizations. Discussion will focus on causes, effects, and mitigation efforts for hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, erosion and landslides, asteroid impacts, and drought.
(Grade or P/NP)

Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:Effective:Fall 2015
Inactive: 
 Area:C
Natural Sciences
 
CSU GE:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 B1Physical ScienceFall 2015
 
IGETC:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 5APhysical SciencesFall 2015
 
CSU Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 2015Inactive:
 
UC Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 2015Inactive:
 
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Major Applicable Course



COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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1. Apply scientific techniques to answer questions related to the occurrence of natural hazards.
2. Critically analyze information about hazards to assess cause and effect, susceptibility, and risk.
3. Explain the complex interplay between humans and the environment.
 

Objectives: Untitled document
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Explain the nature of geology as a science.
2. Differentiate the main rock types and describe how earth materials influence natural disasters.
3. Relate the concepts of plate tectonics to the occurrence of geologic hazards.
4. Explain the causes, effects, and measurement scales of geologic phenomena such as volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, and coastal erosion.
5. Interpret the role of science in evaluating, predicting, and mitigating natural disasters.
6. Evaluate the effects of natural hazards on humans, and the changing influence of the human population on these phenomena.

Topics and Scope
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I. Introduction to Science and Geology
    A. The history of geology
    B. Earth's internal structure
    C. Rock types and the rock cycle
    D. Plate boundaries
    E. Changes in human population and distribution
II.  Earthquakes and Seismology
    A. Epicenter location
    B. Measurement scales
    C. Hazards and historic case studies
    D. Damage mitigation efforts
III. Volcanic Processes
    A. Types of volcanic eruptions
    B. Measurement scales
    C. Hazards and historic case studies
    D. Damage mitigation efforts
IV. Coastal Processes
    A. Sea level change
    B. Tsunami
    C. Coastal erosion and sedimentary processes
    D. Damage mitigation efforts
V. Mass Wasting
    A. Causes and triggers of landslides
    B. Damage mitigation efforts
VI. Other Natural Phenomena: Descriptions, Causes, Effects, Examples, Scales, and Damage Mitigation Efforts for at Least Two of the Following Topics:
    A. Asteroid impacts
    B. Fire
    C. Hurricanes
    D. Tornadoes
    E. Extinction events
    F. Flooding
    G. Drought

Assignments:
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1. Assigned readings (20-30 pages per week)
2. Assignments (5-15): research or reaction papers, essays, written homework, problem solving exercises
3. Exams (3-5); quiz(zes) (0-15)
4. Class participation: activities, discussions, group work,oral presentation

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.Writing
10 - 50%
Research or reaction papers, essays, written homework
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.Problem Solving
10 - 30%
Problem solving exercises
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.Skill Demonstrations
0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.Exams
30 - 80%
Exams and quiz(zes)
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.Other Category
0 - 30%
Activities, class participation, discussions, group work, oral presentation


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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Natural Disasters. 12th ed. Abbott, Patrick. McGraw Hill. 2023.
Natural Disasters. Marshak, Stephen and Rauber, Robert and Johnson, Neil. Norton. 2022.
Instructor prepared materials

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