Special Topics in Environmental Policy and Culture (390-0-26)
Topic
Hazards, Disasters, and Society
Instructors
Elham Hoominfar
Meeting Info
Parkes Hall 212: Tues, Thurs 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. Additional required readings and materials are available on Canvas.