5228 (v.5) Geography 318 - Natural Hazards and Environmental Planning

Area:

Department of Social Sciences

Credits:

50.0

Contact Hours:

5.0

Lecture:

2 x 1 Hours Weekly

Laboratory:

1 x 2 Hours Weekly

Fieldwork:

1 x 1 Hours Weekly

Anti Requisite(s):

5223 (v.5) Geography 218 - Natural Hazards and Environmental Planning

Syllabus:

A select number of climatic, geomorphic, geologic and technological hazards are examined. Environmental, economic and social impacts are considered in addition to spatial and temporal patterns and magnitude and frequency of hazards. Development of publicpolicy, environmental planning, hazard prediction and other strategies to minimise risk.

Unit Outcomes:

On successful completion of this unit students will have - An appreciation of the spatial and temporal dimensions of range of environmental hazards and their casual factors and a general understanding of the environmental, economic, social and politicalimplications of environmental hazards. An appreciation of environmental management/planning, principles of sustainable land use and relevant developments in applied research in geography with particular reference to the management of environmental hazards. Developed an in depth understanding of selected climatic, geomorphic, geologic and technological hazards. Improved skills in note taking, report writing and oral presentation and well as map interpretation and data collection and analysis. Participatedin field days and enhanced a range of skills, including simple observation and recording skills relevant to landscape analysis and terrain evaluation. Demonstrated that they have reached the intellectual level required of third year geography students bycompleting a major research essay on an approved topic.

Texts and references listed below are for your information only and current as of September 30, 2003. Some units taught offshore are modified at selected locations. Please check with the unit coordinator for up-to-date information and approved offshore variations to unit information before finalising study and textbook purchases.

Unit References:

Alexander D. (1993) Natural Disasters. UCL Press, London, 632pp. Bryant, E.A (1991) Natural Hazards. Cambridge University Press, Melbourne, 294pp. Chapman D, (1994) Hazard Geography, 2nd ed, Oxford University Press. Dolan, C. (1994) Hazard Geography, 2nd ed, Addison Wesley Publ. Ebert, C.H.V. (1997) Disasters: Violence of Nature and Threats by Man. Kendall/Hunt Publishers. Dubuque, Iowa, 3rd ed, 238pp. Murck, B.W (1997) Dangerous Earthy - An Introduction to Geologic Hazards, John Wiley. Whittow, J.B (1980) Disasters: The Anatomy of Environmental Hazards. Pelican Books. Whittow, J.B (1984) The Penguin Dictionary of Physical Geography. Penguin.

Unit Texts:

Abbott, P.L. (1999) Natural Disasters, Second Ed, WCB/McGraw - Hill. Smith, K. (2001) Environmental Hazards - Assessing Risk and Reducing Disasters, 3rd Ed, Routledge, London, New York.

Unit Assessment Breakdown:

Assignment 15%, Final Test 30%, Major Report 30%, Mid Semeter test 20%, Written summaries 5%. This is a Grade/Mark assessment.

Field of Education:

10799 Earth Sciences not elsewhere classified

HECS Band (if applicable):

Extent to which this unit or thesis utilises online information:

Informational

Result Type:

Grade/Mark

Availability

Availability Information has not been provided by the respective School or Area. Prospective students should contact the School or Area listed above for further information.

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