Exam Preparation

Happy US Thanksgiving

Final Test

• When: – Wed Dec 11,

3:30-5:30 p.m. – Curtis "D".

Final Test

• Format– two essay-style answers from a choice of

questions. – closed-book– support major points with evidence and

examples. – Familiarity with readings, class material

Geographical Hazards in Overview

• What we mean by natural hazards and disasters,

• How we approach them in geography. – Geographical patterns

• Natural vs non-natural hazards.

Sample Question:

• “Discuss the geographer's approach to the study of hazards.”

"Those who survived the San Francisco earthquake said, 'Thank God, I'm still alive.' But, of course, those who died, their lives will never be the same again."

-- Rep. Barbara Boxer (D-California)

Hazard Psychology

• Main features of psychological response to hazards, environmental “perception” (cognition)

• Role of personality

• “Perception” of risk.

Sample Question:

• “How does personality shape the human response to hazards?”

"There are three types of men in the world. One type learns from books. One type learns from observations. And one type just has to urinate on the electric fence for himself."

-- Dr. Laura Schlesinger

Factors in Hazards

• role of natural forces

• role of human psychology

• role of human vulnerability to hazard.– Shaped by politics, economics, social &

cultural factors

• Be prepared to describe/discuss these factors in combination.

Sample Question:

• “Evaluate the argument that natural forces play the primary role in most large-scale geographical disasters.”

Sample Question:

• “What role does human psychology play in a geographical disaster?”

"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."

-- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Sample Question:

• “If human vulnerability to natural disasters is socially constructed, then what role does nature play? Discuss with examples.”

Types of Hazards and their Characteristics

• Demonstrate an understanding of the phenomena and characteristics of at least three types of natural hazard.

• Be prepared to make comparisons between different types of hazard.

• Need examples to quote as evidence.

"The wind doesn't bother me. I'm in the U. S. Senate."

-- Bob Dole

Sample Question:

• “Using example material, compare and contrast the characteristics of any two types of natural hazard.”

Sample Question:

• “What are the geographical similarities and differences between "natural" hazards (volcanoes perhaps) and "non-natural" hazards (e.g. technological hazards)?”

Sample Question:

• “There is evidence that hazards have geographical patterns, but is there any evidence that hazards have patterns over time?”

Sample Question:

• “What do you see as the main aspects of the geography of vulnerability to natural hazard?”– Chapter 14 in Smith

"Time's fun when you're having flies."

-- Kermit the Frog