Ateneo - UPO

The course explores different types of disasters and their governance, including risk assessment and management and the coordination of response efforts, with particular attention to the role of international organisations and civil protection agencies. The course also examines the social and cultural dynamics that shape how societies interpret and respond to disasters, as well as methods for collecting data and information on these dynamics, including participatory and community-based approaches. The course includes lectures by professionals working in disaster management and the humanitarian sector, who will present case studies. Moreover, students will be engaged in exercises and group work.

The materials will be provided during the course.

The course aims to equip students with advanced knowledge on the interpretation and management of disasters. Specifically, students: 1) will gain knowledge of how different types of disasters unfold and impact different dimensions of society, including social infrastructure, service provision (including healthcare), human mobility, etc. (knowledge and understanding); 2) will gain knowledge and understanding of disaster governance and the role of different organisations in disaster management and response (knowledge and understanding); 3) 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); 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 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) different types of hazards (e.g., wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis, water crises, and hydrogeological and hydrological hazards), exploring how they develop and unfold, how they can be measured and monitored, whether and to what extent they can be predicted, and their diverse impacts; 2) the functioning of civil protection systems, with a focus on the Italian Civil Protection system and the European Civil Protection Mechanism; 3) the role of international organisations and the humanitarian principles, with particular attention to humanity, independence, and impartiality; 4) the role of social vulnerability and social capital in disasters; 5) disaster-related human mobility; 6) the use of secondary data and social research methods in emergency and disaster contexts, with particular attention to ethical issues and community-based participatory approaches. Case studies from both Italian and international contexts 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 dynamics concerning the different stages of the life cycle of disasters, their main challenges and possible responses to those challenges (knowledge and understanding); 2. to understand the roles and responsibilities of the different actors and organizations involved in disaster management (knowledge and understanding); 3. to acquire basic methodological tools for the social analysis of disasters and emergencies (knowledge and understanding); 4. 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 and political phenomena, recognizing the diversity of their determinants and impacts (knowledge and understanding); 2. to understand the different principles of action and operating mechanisms, as well as the resources and limitations, of public and non-profit organizations involved in disaster management (knowledge and understanding); 3. to be able to collect information useful for the social analysis of disasters and emergencies (applying knowledge and understanding); 4. to be able to independently navigate datasets and documents and search for information useful for the social analysis of disasters and emergencies (learning skills); 5. to develop disaster and health crisis management strategies that are holistic, inclusive, and informed by humanitarian principles (applying knowledge and understanding).