Course Description Course Textbook - myCSU

1 MSE 6701, Case Studies in Natural Catastrophes and Man-Made Disasters 1 Course Description Presents a critical look at emergency services management interactions in major historical natural catastrophes, man-made disasters, or terrorist incidents through the lessons learned from case study evaluation. Course Textbook Valcik, N. A., & Tracy, P. E. (2013). Case studies in disaster response and emergency management. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. Course Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this Course , students should be able to: 1. Analyze the multiple contributing factors that resulted in major historical disasters. 2. Discuss the response and recovery processes that were undertaken in past disasters.

2 3. Evaluate the collaborative efforts that were employed in past disasters. 4. Analyze the lessons learned from major disasters of the past. 5. Analyze and discuss the future direction of emergency management. Credits Upon completion of this Course , the students will earn three (3) hours of college credit. Course Structure 1. Unit Learning Outcomes: Each unit contains Unit Learning Outcomes that specify the measurable skills and knowledge students should gain upon completion of the unit. 2. Unit Lesson: Each unit contains a Unit Lesson, which discusses unit material. 3. Reading Assignments: Each unit contains Reading Assignments from one or more chapters from the Textbook .

3 In addition, Units IV-VI and VIII include online or database articles. Suggested Readings are listed in the Unit II-VIII study guides to aid students in their Course of study. The readings themselves may or may not be provided in the Course , but students are encouraged to read the resources listed if the opportunity arises as they have valuable information that expands upon the lesson material. Students will not be tested on their knowledge of the Suggested Readings. 4. Learning Activities (Non-Graded): These non-graded Learning Activities are provided in Units I and III-VI to aid students in their Course of study. 5. Unit Assignments: Students are required to submit for grading Unit Assignments in Units I-VIII.

4 Unit II contains two assignments. Specific information and instructions regarding these assignments are provided below. Grading rubrics are included with the Unit I-VIII Assignments. Specific information about accessing these rubrics is provided below. 6. Ask the Professor: This communication forum provides you with an opportunity to ask your professor general or Course content related questions. 7. Student Break Room: This communication forum allows for casual conversation with your classmates. MSE 6701, Case Studies in Natural Catastrophes and Man-Made Disasters Course Syllabus MSE 6701, Case Studies in Natural Catastrophes and Man-Made Disasters 2 CSU Online Library The CSU Online Library is available to support your courses and programs.

5 The online library includes databases, journals, e-books, and research guides. These resources are always accessible and can be reached through the library webpage. To access the library, log into the myCSU Student Portal, and click on CSU Online Library. You can also access the CSU Online Library from the My Library button on the Course menu for each Course in Blackboard. The CSU Online Library offers several reference services. E-mail and telephone ( ) assistance is available Monday Thursday from 8 am to 5 pm and Friday from 8 am to 3 pm. The library s chat reference service, Ask a Librarian, is available 24/7; look for the chat box on the online library page.

6 Librarians can help you develop your research plan or assist you in finding relevant, appropriate, and timely information. Reference requests can include customized keyword search strategies, links to articles, database help, and other services. Unit Assignments For assistance with any of the assignments below, contact the CSU Writing Center for assistance at (800) 977-8449, Ext. 6538 or email Unit I Essay As this Course begins, consider the action Plan Guidelines (listed within the unit lesson) as the criteria that you will use to analyze and evaluate each case study throughout the Course . After analyzing each case study, your written responses to the action Plan Guidelines are submitted for grading.

7 For the final project, the analysis of each case study will be used to determine the lessons learned from each disaster and to project the future direction of emergency management. For this assignment, complete the following: 1. Review the list of resources in the action Plan Guidelines. 2. Choose two resources. Describe the resources and explain how and why you would use the resources in disaster response efforts. 3. Identify any additional resources that you would include in the resource list. Your APA-formatted paper should be a minimum of two pages (not including the title and references pages). Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below.

8 Unit II Article Critique The focus of Unit II is the natural force of fire. research an article about fire in the CSU Online Library. For this assignment, complete the following: 1. research an article about a disaster caused by fire. 2. Apply the action Plan Guidelines as the criteria to analyze and evaluate the fire-related disaster. Your APA-formatted paper should a minimum of two pages (not including the title and references pages). Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below. Unit II Homework Media Release As the Course continues to unfold, it presents a glimpse into different disaster types.

9 After reading the lesson on fire and the case studies in the Textbook , it is apparent that fire causes a disaster threat to communities. MSE 6701, Case Studies in Natural Catastrophes and Man-Made Disasters 3 Knowing the background for fire disasters and the potential responses that usually go along with them, the media plays a crucial role in distribution of information to the public about the imminent threat, evacuation, and shelter locations. For this assignment, assume that you are the mayor of a town where a wildland fire is posing an imminent threat to the community. Prepare a speech for a press conference to the media, regarding the danger to the public, property, pets, and livestock.

10 Include the following criteria in the speech: Open with an introduction paragraph about the origin and status of the wildfire in relation to the community, including the threat level/assessment. Identify the actions presented in the Wildland Fire Protection Plan to protect the community. Identify the projected duration for the event. Identify the location of emergency operation center. Identify the current and projected population or regions, special populations, and pertinent property that maybe affected by the fire. Present an evacuation plan that identifies public transportation and pick-up locations for citizens without private transportation.