Monash University Handbook 2011 Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Synopsis

This unit on reflects international and national trends in disaster and emergency management and specifically caters for emergency managers who may have a strong background in emergency preparedness but may not be clinically orientated. This unit aims to promote the development of a broad and critical conceptual and practical understanding of disaster resilience and community safety in disaster and emergency situations, and includes themes of: disaster preparedness and leadership; hazard assessment, disaster risk reduction and disaster risk communication; vulnerability assessment; and, capacity building, each applied across the spectrum of the emergency management cycle. It will bridge the principles of "disaster health" and "emergency management" and will be attractive to both groups of professionals in this field. The unit will conclude with examining the implications of these principles for both community and responder education and identifying research opportunities in this field.

Objectives

By the completion of this unit, the student will be able to:

1. Critically review the epidemiology trends of disaster and emergencies, from both the global and students' regional perspectives;
2. Critique the historical trends in the evolution of the conceptual base describing the "Emergency Management Cycle";
3. Critically review the literature and evidence-base for "Disaster resilience and Community Safety", in the setting of disasters and emergencies;
4. Analyse the unique challenges associated with Disaster resilience and Community Safety", in terms of appropriate academic concepts, theoretical frameworks and/or international standards, including but not necessarily limited to, preparedness and leadership; hazard assessment, disaster risk reduction, based on the "Hyogo" Framework; disaster risk communication; vulnerability assessment; and, capacity building, each applied across the spectrum of the emergency management cycle;
5. Apply the principles of "Disaster Resilience and Community Safety' to the stuent's local or professional context;
6. Identify education requirements and research opportunities in the field of disaster resilience and community safety.

Assessment

Two minor assignments (1500 words)(50%)
Major assignment (3,000 words)(50%)

Chief examiner(s)

Ingrid Brooks

Contact hours

It is expected that students will complete sufficient personal study time (for a total workload of 13 hours per week) over the 12 week semester in order to satisfy the reading, online activities, and assignment expectations of the unit. Within this total, students are also required to attend a 3 day (24 hours) on-campus intensive.

Prerequisites

MDM4010 or equivalent studies or field experience to demonstrate sufficient background to successfully undertake this Unit as determined by the Course coordinator