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Special Topics in Global Health (390-0-24)

Topic

Hazards, Disasters, and Society

Instructors

Elham Hoominfar

Meeting Info

University Hall 112: Mon, Wed 3:30PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

This course examines how socioeconomic and environmental factors work together to cause hazards and disasters in human society. In this course we learn the main concepts about disaster such as preparedness, vulnerability, resilience, response, mitigation, etc. We learn that a disaster does not have the same effect on everyone (all groups of people), and factors of social inequality such as race, ethnicity, class, and gender, make people more vulnerable to impacts of disasters. Also, this course, with an interdisciplinary perspective, analyzes disasters in the global North and South. This is a discussion-intensive course for advanced undergrad students. The classes are the student-centered with an emphasis on collaborative learning. The class meetings will consist of lecture, discussion, presentations, teamwork, activities, video/audio materials and projects.

Class Materials (Required)

Smith, Keith. Environmental Hazards: Assessing Risk and Reducing Disaster. 2013. 6th edition. New York: Routledge. 978-0415681063

Additional required readings and materials are available on Canvas.

Class Attributes

No Freshmen

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Freshmen may not register for this course.