SDMM12001U Core Course 1: Disaster Risk Management - Theory and Application

Volume 2013/2014
Education
Master of Disaster Management - obligatorisk
Content

The very first week of the course is an introduction week. During this week the students will spend two days in Revinge, Sweden, working on teambuilding and attending lectures relating to disasters, global health and development.

The remainder of the course falls into two main areas:

  • Disaster management (DM) and disaster risk reduction (DRR):

    - Key concepts in DM and DRR
    This part introduces the student to the key concepts of disaster management (risk reduction, response, recovery), risk (vulnerability, capacity, hazard) and disaster risk reduction (risk assessment, mitigation, adaptation, preparedness)

    - DRR strategies
    This part covers DRR strategies in relation to the Hyogo Framework for Action, with an emphasis on strategies relating to climate change adaptation, development, and capacity building.

    - Disaster preparedness
    This part covers the relation between DRR and disaster preparedness, with a focus on critical elements, indicators and contingency planning.

  • Research methodology:
    The research methodology lectures and exercises will introduce the students to different methodologies for data collection in the field, and general research methods - both qualitative and quantitative - will be presented. This component of the course also covers research ethics, different types of desk studies and reviews, and critical use of databases/datasets.

Learning Outcome

At the end of the course students should be able to

  • Demonstrate a critical understanding of the nature, typology and dynamics of vulnerability
  • Demonstrate a critical and practical understanding of the factors affecting and leading to vulnerability not only on a local level but those emanating from structural global processes
  • Discuss and critically reflect upon the complex connections and interaction between hazards and vulnerabilities and how risk is contextually configured
  • Have a command of the key concepts, theories, and principles relevant to disaster management and risk reduction
  • Identify the main actors in risk and disaster management and understand their impact in the field
  • Research into the issues of risk and vulnerability in a specific country or for a specific event/hazard
  • Demonstrate knowledge of methods and tools for risk analysis and risk evaluation, including methods for identification and analysis of hazards and vulnerabilities
  • Apply tools used for team-building and stress management and demonstrate knowledge about inter-cultural communication
  • Identify and formulate a relevant and current research question and develop a vulnerability profile for a case study assignment
A combination of lectures, group work, case-studies, presentations and discussions in plenary. The main emphasis will be on participatory approaches.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 4
  • Lectures
  • 120
  • Practical exercises
  • 10
  • Preparation
  • 111
  • Theory exercises
  • 30
  • Total
  • 275
Credit
10 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written examination, 4 hours under invigilation
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Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
Exam period
Week 43, 2013
Criteria for exam assesment

To achieve the maximum grade of 12, the student shall be able to:

  • Discuss key concepts, theories, and principles relevant to disaster management and risk reduction
  • Demonstrate knowledge of methods and tools for risk analysis and risk evaluation, including methods for identification and analysis of hazards and vulnerabilities
  • Apply tools used for teambuilding and stress management and demonstrate knowledge about intercultural communication
  • Identify and formulate a relevant and realistic research question