POL 375 - Disaster Politics and Policy

Disasters are the intersection of vulnerability, policy choices, natural systems, and our society. These events are often naturalized or seen as coming from outside of society. Disasters are often products of policy and political choices. These events are also opportunities for new policies to move to the front of the line. This course will examine several areas where disasters and politics interact. First, the course will explore models of disaster and risk as they relate to society. Second, it will examine the current law and policy that structure U.S. responses to disasters. While this is a U.S.-focused course, we will also have some opportunities for comparisons with other countries. Finally, the course will explore the role of disasters (real and imagined) that shape politics and policy making.

Unit(s): 1
Group Distribution Requirement(s): Distribution Group II
Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing
Instructional Method: Conference
Grading Mode: Letter grading (A-F)
Not offered: 2024-25
Group Distribution Learning Outcome(s):

Evaluate data and/or sources.
Analyze institutions, formations, languages, structures, or processes, whether social, political, religious, economic, cultural, intellectual or other.
Think in sophisticated ways about causation, social and/or historical change, human cognition, or the relationship between individuals and society, or engage with social, political, religious or economic theory in other areas.