Flash flood on June 14, 1903 at Heppner, Oregon. (Image courtesy of the National Weather Service.)
Instructor(s)
Prof. Jennifer Leaning
Prof. JoAnn Carmin
MIT Course Number
11.941
As Taught In
Spring 2005
Level
Graduate
Course Description
Course Features
Course Description
In recent years, the redistribution of risk has created conditions for natural and technological disasters to become more widespread, more difficult to manage, and more discriminatory in their effects. Policy and planning decision-makers frequently focus on the impact that human settlement patterns, land use decisions, and risky technologies can have on vulnerable populations. However, to ensure safety and promote equity, they also must be familiar with the social and political dynamics that are present at each stage of the disaster management cycle. Therefore, this course will provide students with:
- An understanding of the breadth of factors that give rise to disaster vulnerability; and
- A foundation for assessing and managing the social and political processes associated with disaster policy and planning.