InTeGrate Modules and Courses >Coastal Processes, Hazards and Society
 Earth-focused Modules and Courses for the Undergraduate Classroom
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These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The materials are free and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
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Coastal Processes, Hazards and Society

Summary

This blended and online course will provide students with a global perspective of coastal landscapes, the processes responsible for their formation, diversity, and change over time, as well as societal responses to current changes in the coastal zones around the world. Active learning elements include analyzing real data sets and applying critical thinking and problem-solving skills to real-world coastal issues that affect human populations. Students will complete a capstone project in which they integrate the key elements of the units in a systems thinking framework. The course comprises twelve modules, each lasting a week. Since there is no textbook that covers the course topics, the materials for students are the backbone of the course. The materials for teachers provide useful information on how to make the most of the student materials.

Strengths of the Course

Students who learn with these materials will:

  • Obtain a global perspective of coastal landscapes, the processes responsible for their formation, diversity and change over time,.
  • Understand impact of processes include tectonic settings, effects of glaciation, sediment supply, and wave and tidal energy on coastal evolution.
  • Appreciate socioeconomic and policy responses to current biophysical changes in the coastal zones around the world.
  • Recognize the impacts of sea level rise and its local effects on communities.
  • Understand engineering solutions to projected sea level rise impacts such as coastal flooding and habitat loss in coastal areas.

In working with data, students will:

  • Evaluate hazards such as hurricanes and tsunamis and effects on coastal populations.
  • Analyze sea level rise records, shoreline erosion rates along barriers, hurricane track maps, tsunami wave height data and other major influences affecting coastal evolution.
  • Apply critical thinking and problem solving skills to real-world coastal issues that affect human populations.
  • Design engineering and solutions for pressing coastal issues.


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These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
Explore the Collection »