Ateneo - UPO

The course is articulated in three parts. The first part explores the social and cultural dynamics that influence how communities interpret and respond to disasters and health crises, paying particular attention to public representation of disasters, disaster vulnerability, the role of social capital in recovery processes, disaster-related mobility. The second part illustrates the humanitarian principles paying particular attention to humanity, independence and impartiality and explores the cases of Sudan, South Sudan and Ethiopia. The third part is devoted to social research methods applied to emergency and disaster contexts, with a particular focus on attitudes, perceptions and preparedness as well as on participatory and community-based approaches. The course includes lectures by professionals working in disaster management and the humanitarian sector, who will present case studies and engage students in exercises and group work.

Recommended reading:
Tierney, K. (2025) "Disasters: A Sociological Approach", Cambridge, Medford : Polity Press

The course aims to equip students with advanced knowledge on the interpretation of disasters and health crises from a socio-anthropological perspective. Specifically, students: 1) will gain knowledge of how responses to and recovery from such events are shaped by and, in turn, shape social dynamics (knowledge and understanding); 2) through case studies and critical analysis, they will learn to apply these insights to real-world situations, enhancing their ability to approach disaster and health crisis management with a comprehensive mindset (applying knowledge and understanding); 3) will develop an understanding of how humanitarian principles are applied in disaster and emergency contexts (applying knowledge and understanding); 4) will acquire methodological skills for collecting information on social dynamics in emergency and disaster contexts (applying knowledge and understanding); 5) will be able to independently search for data and document useful for the social analysis of disasters and emergencies (learning skills).

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The module uses a combination of lectures, interactive workshops, and case study discussions.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage:https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The exam is written and in-person, and consists of a quiz with multiple-choice questions. The final grade is expressed in thirtieths, and to pass the exam, a student must achieve at least 18/30. To pass the exam, students must demonstrate knowledge and understanding of at least the fundamental concepts of the subject. To achieve a passing grade, students must be familiar with the main social determinants and consequences of disasters and health crises, and demonstrate the acquisition of the relevant basic notions of the sociology of disaster. To achieve a high grade, students must demonstrate complete mastery of the topics covered.

The course will focus on: 1) public representation of disasters; 2) disaster vulnerability, with particular attention to ethnic minorities’ vulnerability during the Covid-19 pandemic; 3) the role of social capital and its positive and negative effects, especially in recovery processes; 4) disaster-related mobility; 5) humanitarian principles with particular regard to humanity, independence and impartiality; 6) social research methods applied to emergency and disaster contexts (survey, interviews, ethnographic methods, observation, focus groups), also paying attention to ethical issues; 7) the use of secondary data (Eurobarometer); 8) community-based participatory research in the production of knowledge and in supporting preparedness and recovery processes. Case studies from both Italian and international contexts (with an in-depth analysis of the cases of Sudan, South Sudan, and Ethiopia) will be used to illustrate these concepts. These examples will support the course by providing real-world applications of the theoretical discussions.

The basic expected learning outcomes are: 1. to acquire knowledge of the fundamental concepts related to the social analysis of disasters and emergencies (knowledge and understanding); 2. to acquire basic methodological tools for the social analysis of disasters and emergencies (knowledge and understanding); 3. to apply the acquired theoretical knowledge to emergency and disaster contexts (applying knowledge and understanding).
The advanced expected learning outcomes are: 1. to understand disasters and health emergencies, as well as their management, as complex social phenomena, recognizing their cultural and social determinants and impacts (knowledge and understanding); 2. to be able to collect information useful for the social analysis of disasters and emergencies (applying knowledge and understanding); 3. to be able to independently navigate datasets and documents and search for information useful for the social analysis of disasters and emergencies (learning skills); 4. to develop disaster and health crisis management strategies that are holistic, inclusive, and informed by humanitarian principles (applying knowledge and understanding).