KE7005 - Disaster Risk Reduction and Response

Interactive lectures and independent study form the primary learning and teaching methods. Some directed learning is also provided, including reading for seminars, research on topical disaster events for later class discussion.

Lectures will be used to introduce and develop key issues, concepts and principles across the range of topics covered on the module; in effect they will act as a framework or scaffolding to support your learning. You will then further develop and build your knowledge, understanding and expertise in smaller seminar group discussions and by engaging with on-line, interactive reading lists made available via the module’s electronic learning platform (eLP).

During both lectures and seminars you will interact closely with teaching staff. Your class materials will be further supported by on-line resources available via the module eLP site. These resources include an interactive reading list with on-line access to a number of key articles and aligned with your weekly lecture programme. Support is available outside of teaching time. Staff can be contacted via e-mail where you can ask for guidance on a particular topic or arrange for a meeting where that topic can be discussed.

Teaching staff operate an ‘open door’ policy for students meaning you can approach them anytime during normal office hours, or via email, to answer questions, receive feedback and support your learning on the module.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
• MLO1: Critically evaluate the ideological interpretations, principles and practice of disaster risk reduction and response, from the local to the global, encompassing first and third world environments
• MLO2: Identify, explain and evaluate the characteristics of institutions involved in disaster risk reduction and response and policies for achieving disaster resilience

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• MLO3: Apply and evaluate models and frameworks for understanding processes relating to disaster risk reduction and response
• MLO4: Identify good practice in interventions for disaster risk reduction and response

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• MLO5: Undertake advanced literature searches and reviews to conduct rigorous, concise, academically informed and appropriately referenced critical work

The summative assessment of the module is through coursework. You will write a 4,000 word assignment that will critically evaluate disaster management and Disaster Risk Reduction. You will choose your topic from a number that will be provided.

Formative assessment will be given via a tutorial where you will discuss with a tutor the topic you have selected and how you will structure your essay such that it provides a critical insight into disaster management and DRR.

Summative assessment is provided by written feedback on the essay.

This meets MLOs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

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This module aims to explore the contested models of disaster management and how they inform policy at various levels from the international to the local. Case studies will be drawn upon to illustrate the subject breadth and the different approaches to disaster risk reduction (DRR) as practised by potential employers such as United Nations (UN) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) such as Oxfam. The module will introduce hazard, disaster, emergency paradigms and humanitarianism in first and third world contexts. The key issues in disaster risk reduction and response in both first and third world contexts include health (including psycho-social impacts of disasters); vulnerability and capacity of different social groups; gender, age and class/caste; risk and complex emergencies. Interactive lectures and independent study form the primary learning and teaching methods. Some directed learning is also provided, including reading for seminars and research on topical disaster events, for later class discussion.