Course Description
Exploration of the connections between disasters and societies. Students will have a broad understanding of the core theories and frameworks that guide emergency and disaster management, including mitigation, planning, preparedness, response, recovery, and research. Students will conduct hands-on, in-class exercises and learn from leading experts in disaster management.
Athena Title
Disasters and Society
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in DMAN 3100
Non-Traditional Format
This course will be taught 95% or more online.
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to identify how social systems interact with hazards and disaster events.
- Students will be able to interpret major historical disasters and analyze their scale and scope of impact.
- Students will be able to describe key methods used to prevent, manage, and respond to disasters.
- Students will be able to explain key theories related to the study of disaster research, including vulnerability.
Topical Outline
- 1. Overview of disasters and society
a. Natural hazards
b. Technological and human-caused hazards
c. Historical disaster events
d. The impacts of climate change
e. Fostering individual and community resilience
2. Key concepts, methods, and theories of disaster management
a. The National Incident Management System (NIMS)
b. The Incident Command Systems (ICS)
c. The disaster management cycle
d. Emergency response and triage
e. Scenario-based role-play and tabletop exercises
3. The history and future of emergency and disaster management
a. The evolution of disaster management in the U.S.
b. Disaster law and policy
c. Disaster ethics and research
d. Jobs and careers in emergency and disaster management
e. The future of disaster management
