Sociology of Disasters Syllabus

Abstract

This Sociology of Disasters syllabus focuses on helping students learn to predict how people and organizations will behave before, during, and after disasters. The course starts by teaching some of the basics about how to categorize disasters. Second, students will learn some relevant sociological theories that help them make sense of disasters. Third,...

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Details

Subject Area(s):

Other

Resource Type(s):

Syllabus

Class Level(s):

College 400

Class Size(s):

Any

Usage Notes

Note: Additional usage notes are available as the appendix to the syllabus. TRAILS currently does not have any syllabi focused on Sociology of Disasters. This syllabus fills an important gap. This syllabus is targeted to fourth-year undergraduates who are taking this course as an elective, although it could be taught to lower-division students with...

Learning Goals and Assessments

Learning Goal(s):

1. Correctly list the dimensions of five disaster typologies and categorize real disasters using these typologies; Define and describe eight sociological concepts that pertain to disasters and apply all eight sociological concepts to an actual disaster
2. List ten disaster myths and demonstrate how these disaster myths are wrong by applying them to an actual disaster; Describe how believing each of the ten disaster myths can cost lives
3. List and describe eight ways that victims respond in disasters; Explain how non-victims respond to a disaster; Analyze strengths and weaknesses in the media response to disasters; Describe the role played by major disaster organizations and the government

Goal Assessment(s):

1. Quizzes
2. Quiz and Paper
3. Quizzes