Beyond Hazards and Disasters - Teaching Students Geoscience by Probing the Underlying Influence of Geology on Human Events

Abstract

An introductory geology course is described that both introduces geologic principles and explores the ways in which geology can have an underlying influence on human events that is much deeper and more subtle than the distribution of resource wealth and geologic hazards. The course aims primarily to help students draw connections between geology and the non-science topics with which many of them are more familiar. It revolves around a series of geologic topics that have direct relevance to particular pre-historic, historical, political, or economic issues in Africa. It is also designed to teach students rigorous geology in a setting that minimizes lecture and emphasizes instead hands-on investigative activities, self- and peer-teaching, and group-learning. The course serves as a model for designing similar courses.