Course Content and Outcome Guide for EM 203
- Date:
- 31-AUG-2007
- Posted by:
- Curriculum Office
- Course Number:
- EM 203
- Course Title:
- P & P Disaster Response I
- Credit Hours:
- 4
- Lecture hours:
- 30
- Lecture/Lab hours:
- 0
- Lab hours:
- 0
- Special Fee:
Course Description
Uncovers the principles that promote effective disaster response practices in operations and management. It will examine the nature of disasters, the context of response operations, and the roles and responsibilities of various individuals and organizations. This is the first of a two part sequence: EM 203 and 204. Prerequisite: EM 110 and EM 114.Addendum to Course Description
The course will review the popular myths and realities of human behavior in catastrophic events as well as the divergent approaches to disaster response operations (e.g. command and control vs. networking/problem solving). The importance of providing an effective response for the affected population will be discussed, and will include a variety of important generic functions (e.g. implementing the emergency operations plan, warning, evacuation, search and rescue, emergency medical care/mass casualties, mass fatalities, sheltering and mass care, donations management, damage assessment, the disaster declaration process, media relations/public information, individual and public assistance, and critical incident stress debriefing.
Intended Outcomes for the course
Students will be able to:
- Discuss the response operations from a historical perspective.
- Discuss and apply theory of response operations
- Identify best practices, common mistakes and application of various response strategies.
- Develop critical thinking and analytical skills as they apply to response operations.
Course Activities and Design
- Lecture and discussion on effective disaster response practices.
- Exercises and evaluation measuring: Failed responses, adequate responses and best practices.
- Create documentation of roles and responsibilities for individuals and organizations.
- Practice critical thinking and decision making in various disaster scenarios.
Outcome Assessment Strategies
- Written Assignments
- Case Studies
- Term Paper
- Written Exams
Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)
- Nature of response operations and management.
- Political context of response management
- Role and responsibilities of various individuals and various organizations.
- Failed response vs. adequate response vs. best practices.
- Analysis of events, circumstances, content and the making of decisions that positively influence outcomes.