MSc International Disaster Management

The course critically unpacks and explores the dominant culture and approaches to disaster recovery. Disaster recovery remains the least understood element of the disaster risk management sector, as most work focuses on preparedness and response. As such, this course unit aims to provide students with a critical understanding of disaster recovery. We will think about the social, economic, political and cultural factors that shape disaster recovery among affected populations. And we will critically reflect on how and why certain programmes are adopted for disaster recovery. This will involve looking at the role and behaviours of multiple actors involved in disaster recovery: individuals, households, communities, policymakers and NGOs.

• The dominant approaches to disaster recovery
• How disaster risk management culture manifests in recovery policies and practises.
• The problematics of relying on ‘experts’ in disaster risk management
• Critical understanding of disaster recovery
• How to conduct participatory approaches, and think about them critically
• What we mean by cultural heritage and if and how this can be recovered
• The roles of different actors in recovery i.e. households, national policymakers, communities, NGOs

It is possible, though not essential, to include a brief week-by-week breakdown of class topics in this section. It should be stated clearly when these are representative examples only (for example, if some topics are not covered every year).

11 two hour lectures and 11 one hour tutorials

• An understanding of The dominant approaches to disaster recovery
• A critical understanding of how disaster risk management culture manifests in recovery policies and practises
• An understanding of the different roles of development actors, and the debates about their role and impact;
• An ability to conduct participatory approaches, and think about them critically
• An ability to engage in critical discussion about he roles of different actors in recovery i.e. households, national policymakers, communities, NGO

• An understanding of The dominant approaches to disaster recovery
• A critical understanding of how disaster risk management culture manifests in recovery policies and practises
• An understanding of the different roles of development actors, and the debates about their role and impact;
• An ability to conduct participatory approaches, and think about them critically
• An ability to engage in critical discussion about he roles of different actors in recovery i.e. households, national policymakers, communities, NGOs
• An ability to engage in critical discussion and debate in a group, and to formulate ideas based upon key readings.

• Demonstrate analytical and debating skills with peers and tutors
• Show effective use of library resources drawing on relevant academic and grey literature,
• Develop essay writing skills ;
• Independent and group research;

• Develop communication skills for a variety of audiences
• Work effectively in a team
• Develop, plan and achieve individual learning outcomes
• Develop analytical skills and the ability to articulate ideas verbally and in writing
• Develop confidence articulating ideas and opinions during group discussions

1. blog (40%)

2. Essay: (60%)

Adger, W. N., Barnett, J., Brown, K., Marshall, N., & O'Brien, K. (2013). Cultural dimensions of climate change impacts and adaptation. Nature Climate Change, 3(2), 112-117.

Bankoff G (2001) Rendering the world unsafe: ‘Vulnerability’ as western discourse. Disasters 25: 19–35.

Clammer, J. (2012). The place of culture in development. In Culture, Development and Social Theory: Towards an Integrated Social Development. J. Clammer. London, Zed books.

F. Kruger., Bankoff, G., Cannon, T., Orlowski, B., & Schipper, L (Eds.). Cultures and Disasters: Understanding Cultural Framings in Disaster Risk Reduction (pp. 162–71). New York: Routledge.

Said, E. W (1979). Introduction In Said, E. Orientalism. Vintage.