EDMG259 - Hazard Mitigation and Preparedness

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

• CO-1 Explain the differences between hazards and disasters, the phases of comprehensive emergency management, and weather-related hazard classifications.
• CO-2 Discuss similarities and differences of human-caused and natural hazards, and understand the importance of the all-hazards approach.
• CO-3 Identify mitigation programs, grants, and laws.
• CO-4 Assess the various hazard mitigation programs carried out by the federal and state governments.
• CO-5 Analyze how the principles of resiliency contribute to a sustainable community.
• CO-6 Appraise mitigation measures that a business might use to reduce its vulnerability to hazards.
• CO-7 Evaluate how coordination between all preparedness programs is essential, whether creating a local emergency operations plan or a family disaster plan.
• CO-8 Discuss mitigation strategies in the context of a comprehensive mitigation plan.
• CO-9 Critique mitigation plans and their strategies.

Grades for this course will be based upon graded forums, assignments, term paper, and exams. The student must post an initial response to the questions or comments in the forums, and also reply to the posting(s) of other students as part of his/her total grade. In addition, students must complete a course paper that will test their knowledge of specific subject matter as well as demonstrate their ability to analyze material and convey ideas at an undergraduate level.

The course also includes the submission of a term paper on federal preparedness and mitigation programs. The paper should be written in APA format, double-spaced with 12-point, Times New Roman font. Beyond the 8 pages, the paper will need to have a title page and a reference page as well as at least 5 sources. The assignment should be submitted in Word. Word may be downloaded free at openoffice.org.

*This includes the autobiography.

If you have a concern with a grade received, please consult the Professor. All grading issues should be resolved within a week of returning the assignment or receipt of the grade.

1. Course text is Islam, T., Ryan, J. (2015) Hazard Mitigation in Emergency Management. Oxford and Waltham: Elsevier Inc.
2. Supplemental Assigned Readings -Students are also advised to be aware of current disaster events and debates by reading a local or national newspaper and by reviewing disaster-related Web sites, such as the FEMA Web site (www.fema.gov).