Geol 102
Environmental Geology Online
Spring 2024
Ticket # 3411
Embedded Files
About the course
About the course
Earth is our life support system, a dynamic and changing planet that presents both natural hazards as well as many resources upon which we depend for our survival.
Understanding our dependence on this planet as well as the causes for natural disaster can help us formulate the best response to sustain life on Earth.
Studying environmental geology reveals how we are all connected in an intricate web of material and energy flows.
It is a science that draws from many disciplines, including geography, chemistry, physics, and biology (among others).
Catalog Statement:
Geology 102 is the study of the earth and natural hazards including hazards like earthquakes, volcanism, climate change, pollution and human interactions with the earth environment.
Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
Explain the Scientific Method and differentiate between evidence and theory.
Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of Earth’s systems and their interactions.
Recognize and understand how to mitigate geologic hazards.
Articulate how human activities impact the environment.
Communicate complex course concepts effectively in writing and diagrams.
Your fully online class
Your fully online class
This is a FULLY ONLINE 16-week, asynchronous course that runs from Tues. Feb. 20 through Wed. June 12.
Class will be conducted through Canvas. We will not meet on campus for any reason.
Asynchronous means you are not required to log on at any specific time for this class. You may complete the assignments on your own schedule provided you adhere to posted due dates.
Student office hours will be held synchronously, in real-time via Zoom
Please refer to "Important Dates" for Add/Drop and Withdrawal Deadlines
How to contact me
How to contact me
Email: rridgway@glendale.edu Phone (Call or text): (657) 667-3423
Open Zoom Hours: Mon 12:30-1:30 pm & Wed. 2:00-3:00 pm or Make an appointment on Calendly
Connect on Social Media:
LinkedIn Instagram GoodReads BlogSpot Facebook Twitter Pinterest TikTok
What are Open Zoom Hours? Why should I visit?
What are Open Zoom Hours? Why should I visit?
Every week I set aside a certain amount of time to visit with students one-on-one or in small groups via Zoom (link available through Canvas). This is YOUR time, not mine. There are lots of good reasons to come to office hours. Here are just a few:
If you are confused or stuck, I can help guide you toward clarity.
If you are curious about a topic and want to know more, we can find out together.
If you are anxious about your performance, I can help you develop an action plan to help you achieve the goals you've set.
If you’re not sure how to study or what’s expected from an assignment, please come see me.
Reading Materials
Reading Materials
Required Readings
Required Readings
Please acquire a copy of the following text through your favorite book-lender or bookseller:
McPhee, J. (1989) The Control of Nature, New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN 978-0-374-52259-9
The following texts may be accessed freely online. You may also download and request a printed copy from a local print shop:
Earle, Steven. Physical Geology. LibreTexts(CC/BY), Published under creative commons license and freely available for download.
Hlebakos, Jason. Environmental Science 101. LibreTexts(CC/BY), Published under creative commons license and freely available for download.
Additional readings will be provided through Canvas.
The following texts are useful guides to the study of environmental geology.
The following texts are useful guides to the study of environmental geology.
OPTIONAL SUPPLEMENTAL TEXTS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE OR RENTAL
Keller, Edward A. Environmental Geology, 9th ed. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2011. Print and/or eText with or without Hazard City online product.. 12th Grade Reading Level. ISBN 9780321643759.
Montgomery, Carla. Environmental Geology, 10th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Publishing Company, 2014. Print and/or eText with or without Connect online product.. 12th Grade Reading Level. ISBN 9780073524115.
Pipkin, Bernard W. Geology and the Environment, 7th ed. Belmont: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning, 2014. Print and/or eText. 12th Grade Reading Level. ISBN 9781305257122.
What will we learn?
What will we learn?
Over the course of the semester we will examine natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanoes, flooding, and erosion. We will also consider the ways that human societies have impacted our planet through resource extraction and waste generation. The course is divided into three broad themes:
internal processes that give rise to phenomena such as earthquakes and volcanoes;
surface processes that influence weather, climate, and other factors that make an area suitable for human settlement; and
resource use and waste management.
At the end of the class, you will have a deeper appreciation for your place in the world.
Click below to see a week-by-week outline of topics.
Week #1: Online course orientation. (THREE Check-in Assignments due by Sun. Feb. 25)
UNIT ONE: FOUNDATIONS & INTERNAL PROCESSES
Week #2: Review the scientific method and its application to environmental geology, an interdisciplinary science. Lay the necessary foundation to begin to think like an environmental geologist.
Week #3: Describe what the Earth is made of on both large and small scales, from Earth's layered interior to the rocks and minerals that make up our crust.
Week #4: Examine the evidence for Plate Tectonic Theory. Explain the forces at work to produce earthquakes, faults, and associated hazards.
Week #5: Explain how plate tectonic processes affects volcanism and associated hazards.
Week #6: Capstone Project
UNIT TWO: SURFACE PROCESSES
Week #7: Examine interactions between ocean and atmosphere affect Earth’s climate.
Week #8: Evaluate the causes for climate change through geologic time.
Week #9: Describe how the hydrologic cycle and catchment characteristics affect flooding.
Week #10: Examine the causes and types of mass wasting and coastal processes that influence erosion.
Week #11: Capstone Project
UNIT THREE: RESOURCES & WASTE DISPOSAL
Week #12: Describe the sources that replenish and impact to our ground water and soil resources.
Week #13: Examine coastal processes and sources of pollution.
Week #14: Explore energy resources - both renewable and non-renewable - and their impacts.
Week #15: Student Group Projects - Mineral Resources, Consumerism & Waste Management
Week #16: Capstone Project & Final Assessment
*Final assessment will consist primarily of short answer questions, which will be made available one week prior to exam. In addition, there may be multiple-choice, true/false, matching, and/or fill-in-the-bank type questions.
What about grades?
What about grades?
Great question!
You will have the chance to earn 770 points, as shown in tables to right.
Each assignment will be accompanied by a scoring rubric that explains the grading criteria.
Quizzes will be scored automatically and give you a chance to reflect on your learning.
Extra Credit: You can earn up to 5% extra credit (38 points) over the course of the semester. Here are some ways to earn extra credit:
5 extra credit points for coming to visit during Student Office Hours
for each visit, up to a maximum of 20 points.
2 extra points for posting a question or answer to the General Q&A forum,
up to a maximum of 20 points.
Variable extra points for bonus activities to be found inside select modules.
Our Agreements
Our Agreements
What you can expect from me:
What you can expect from me:
What I will expect from you
What I will expect from you
I will post materials in a timely fashion (at least 5 days before due dates).
I will provide timely feedback (within 72 hrs).
I will support your intellectual and academic growth.
I will provide special accommodations.
I will help you succeed.
You will make your best effort to meet due dates and communicate regularly.
You will commit time to review materials and seek answers to your questions.
You will preserve your academic integrity.
You will tell me how I can support you
You will be aware of your rights & responsibilities
Policies
Policies
I trust that you will devote the time necessary to do the assigned work to the best of your ability. This includes:
giving appropriate credit to outside sources that you may have consulted or "borrowed from" in the completion of your work
adhering to the expectations outlined in each assignment, whether a group project that invites collaboration or an exam that you would complete individually
reaching out to me for additional clarification if you're unsure about expectations or if you would like feedback about how best to cite sources
- Attendance:
Because this is an online class, your attendance is recorded based on your participation in and completion of assigned work.
Please plan to complete the THREE check-in assignments by Sun. Feb. 25th in order to stay enrolled in the class. If you don't I will reach out to you to give you a second chance to get on board. If these assignments are not completed by Sun. Nov. 1st you will be dropped from the class.
I understand that life happens and sometimes you may not be able to complete your work on time. If this happens to you, please reach out and let me know how I can support you. I don't want you to fall behind, but if you miss more than a week of assignments, it will become more difficult to catch up.
If you do fall behind and feel it would be best to drop the class, it may be helpful to know your rights & responsibilities and to understand the refund policy.
- Classroom community:
Everyone has a shared responsibility to ensure that the classroom is a safe place to support learning. To help preserve this sense of online safety, let's all agree to abide by the rules of netiquette.
- Communication:
Students are always welcome to reach out to me. I will respond to electronic communication within 24 hours during weekdays and up to 48 hours during weekends. If you do not hear back, then chances are the message was not delivered and you should verify my email address and re-send . Confidential information such as grades can only be communicated through your official student email account. Please use this account for confidential correspondence.
- Disability Accommodations:
Any students with disabilities are encouraged to contact me. Assistance is available on campus to facilitate reasonable accommodations through the Center for Students with Disabilities. They can be reached at (818) 240-1000, ext. 5905
- Drop Policy:
If you are thinking of dropping the class, please reach out. It may be possible to find a way to bring you back on board so that you don't have to leave the class. But if you decide you no longer wish to be enrolled, it is the YOUR responsibility to drop the class. I will not drop you.
Admissions & Records publishes the Add/Drop deadlines.
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