Introductory Topics in Sociology (276-0-20)
Topic
Sociology of Disaster
Overview of class
"Sociology of Disaster"
Disasters are catastrophic events with human and natural causes and may be gradual or sudden and unexpected. What these events share is their potential to disrupt communities, displace residents, and cause economic, emotional, and social suffering. We know that disasters are on the rise globally and in the US, incurring significant economic and social consequences. The aim of this course is to understand how disasters like pandemics, hurricanes, floods, wildfires, plane crashes, oil spills, and terrorism provide a "strategic research site" where we can examine social life and inequality. In this course, students will be introduced to the idea that disasters are fundamentally social events. We will focus on the social, political, and economic conditions that influence disaster experience and recovery, paying special attention to the ways that social characteristics like race, class, gender, and age structure social vulnerability to risk before, during, and after disasters. In learning to think critically about prevailing media representations of disasters, students will master content analysis methodology by engaging in a term-long research project in which they study one recent disaster event and the associated media coverage. This is an introductory level course without any prerequisites.
Learning Objectives
Course-Specific Goals:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Understand key concepts and theories in the sociology disasters
2. Critically analyze prevailing and alternative media portrayals of disasters
3. Examine one major disaster through empirical research (content analysis)
4. Analyze media reports and public discourse using social scientific theories about disaster and inequalities
Academic Development Goals:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Effectively communicate with classmates and instructors in a respectful manner conducive of learning and collaboration.
2. Engage in critical, analytical thinking and writing. This means that you will develop the ability to make an argumentative claim, support the claim with reasonable evidence, and provide a strong conclusion while acknowledging the argument's limitations - all in your own authorial voice.
3. Identify components of academic argument.
Teaching Method
Lecture and class discussion
Evaluation Method
Participation, group discussion presentation, small writing assignments, term paper
Class Materials (Required)
All materials for this course will be made available on Canvas - no purchase necessary.
Class Attributes
Social and Behavioral Science Foundational Discipl
Social & Behavioral Sciences Distro Area
Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Requirements: Pre-registration is reserved for Sociology Majors and Minors.