Initial Publication Date: October 20, 2008
Brian Bossak
Geology and GeographyGeorgia Southern University
1110 Herty Building
Statesboro, Georgia 30460
912.478.5943
bbossak@georgiasouthern.edu
Background: I am an Assistant Professor of Geography in the Department of Geology and Geography at Georgia Southern University (as of August, 2008).
I consider myself a Medical Geographer with research interests in climate change, natural hazards, spatial analysis of infectious diseases, environmental health, and coastal risk assessment. I previously taught Meteorology, Global Climate Change, and Natural Hazard courses for two years at Valdosta State University before moving up to GSU.
Workshop goals: I do a lot of talking in my courses about climate change and connections to natural hazards such as hurricanes. However, I feel like I do too much of the "broadcast" form of teaching - I really would like to incorporate understandable, clear, hands-on group exercises or challenges that would allow the students to think more deeply about these issues and develop a better understanding of the nature of hurricanes and other hazardous weather conditions. I am interested in these hands-on exercises or activities because now that I think I am talking too much, I am sure my students think so too! Finally, I hope that I will come across some excellent visuals to utilize, because the number of excellent graphics, especially at a lower undergraduate level of understanding, is relatively small, IMO.