GSC 350: Natural Disasters Research Project Assignment
(to be completed by teams of 2 or 3
students)
*Topics must be selected on or before Wednesday,
July 16. E-mail your top three choices
to: janourse@csupomona.edu
**Outline and synopsis of report is due Wednesday, July 30
*** Written report is due on day of oral presentation August 20, 25,
or 27
(1)
Three pages of text typed, 12 point font, 1 ½ line spacing, 1
inch margins, written succinctly in your own words. Use professional English with correct grammar
and punctuation. No “text speak” please.
(2)
Additional space will be occupied by illustrations, figure captions, and
bibliography.
(3) Choose a few (minimum of four) illustrations that most effectively display pertinent features of your chosen topic.
(4)
Each illustration must be numbered in sequence and accompanied by a short
descriptive caption; e.g. Figure 1. written
caption, Figure 2. written
caption, etc. Each caption also must
contain a source citation for the illustration; use parentheses: (Author last
name, date).
(6) The introduction paragraph
should capture the reader’s attention and bring out the location of
your chosen disaster.
(7) The body of your text obviously
should inform the reader what happened.
However, one required component is scientific
description of the driving
mechanism(s) behind the disaster. This might include plate tectonic setting or
local plate motions, prevailing weather or atmosphere conditions, historical
events leading up to the disaster, pre-existing adverse geologic conditions,
human-induced effects, unfortunate geographical setting, etc. Also, try to emphasize any important lessons learned by scientists that might
reduce the hazard during future disasters.
(8) Conclude with a succinct
paragraph.
(9) List all of your research sources in a bibliography. Standard style is to state the following information in sequence: author last name, author first initials, year, source (e.g, publication or web address), page number(s). List the authors alphabetically.
(10) For additional visual
appeal, intersperse your illustrations within the text rather than tacking them
on at the end as an appendix.
(11) Bind
your report with a cover page that includes the title, names of team members, name of course
and instructor, date. Leave
room for a pertinent image as a frontispiece on your title page. This image does not require a caption, but
should be described and cited at the close of your bibliography.
(4) The audience should be able to clearly
distinguish introduction, body, and conclusions sections of your presentation.
(5)
Include map(s) to highlight the geography of your topic.
(6) The body of your talk must bring out the science behind the disaster (e.g., driving
mechanisms and specific observations).
Do not simply focus on death and destruction!
(7) Illustrations must be presented with unique
captions and appropriate citations.
(8) The ideal presentation will utilize a balance
of illustrations and text slides.
Research
Guidelines:
Begin with your
textbook and an Internet search. Both
provide basic summaries and relevant illustrations; additional bibliographic
sources of information should also result from this preliminary research. To earn a good grade, students are expected
to demonstrate that they have carefully researched a variety of reports written
on the topic.
A crucial part of this
assignment is to synthesize the information in your
own words. Anyone can copy
and paste information from the web, but it’s unethical to present this material
as your own work. A detailed
bibliography of multiple sources is required.
Each image you present should be accompanied by a short descriptive
caption that you have written in your own words. This caption must also contain a direct
citation of the source from which the image was borrowed.
Grading
Criteria For Written Report:
15 pts Outline
and one-paragraph Synopsis of report—due July 30
50 pts Organization
and Presentation—introduction,
body, and conclusions; adherence to format specifications; quality of
illustrations
65
pts Scientific Content-- technical
accuracy, depth and breadth of coverage, quality of descriptions
20 pts Bibliography--abundance of data
sources, depth of research
Grading
Criteria For Oral Presentation:
25 pts Organization
25 pts Quality of Slides
25 pts Technical /
Scientific Content
25 pts Clarity and Style of Presentation
(250 Total Points; equivalent
to 25% of your course grade)