Course Description
An overview of disasters and disaster management from an international perspective, with a focus on social vulnerability. Content will address a number of issues, including the relationship between disasters and social systems, how disasters are dealt with in different countries, and the interactions between nations during disasters.
Athena Title
Internatl Aspects of Disaster
Pre or Corequisite
DMAN 3100 or DMAN 3100E
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
In this course, students will be able to: • Interpret international polices related to disaster management, risk reduction, and social vulnerability. • Explain the role of key organizations in international emergency management, including humanitarian actors. • Illustrate the intersection of natural and man-made hazards. • Analyze major social issues related to key historical events: Indian Ocean Tsunami, Chernobyl, Haiti Earthquake, Nepal Earthquake. • Summarize the key social and cultural factors related to vulnerability in the international context, including gender, migration, caste, class, and marginalization. • Identify various methodologies used for international fieldwork in disaster studies. • Describe how disaster medicine and health are related to global issues in disaster management.
Topical Outline
1. Overview of Disasters in the Global Context a. Understanding the history of major disasters around the globe b. Learning about how the study of disasters evolved and spread internationally c. Major actors in international disaster management 2. Global Trends in Risk Reduction a. Social conflict and human vulnerability b. Mitigation – earthquakes – community-based initiatives on retrofitting c. Mitigation – droughts – community-based initiatives on clean water, water conservation, and erosion prevention d. Poverty and risk – implications for community change agents e. Response and Recovery – technological trends f. Counterterrorism and extremism research. Reading by Lori Peek on backlash against Muslims 3. Global Vulnerability a. Social justice movements b. Poverty and development c. Gender, migration, and social systems d. Marginalization and indigenous groups e. Urbanization 4. Humanitarian Issues a. Complex events, intersection of human and natural environment b. War and diplomacy c. Refugees 5. Social and Cultural Factors Related to Disasters and Global Health a. Food security and nutrition b. Reproductive health c. Vector-borne illnesses
Syllabus