Tornados, Tsunamis, and Terrorism: Sociology of Disaster
SOC 275
Spring 2007
| Section:
01
|
Our world seems to always be on the brink of disaster. Public discourse and private fears are inundated with talk of disaster, from the difficulties of recovering from recent catastrophes to the striking need to better plan for impending future ones. But what is a disaster? While many disasters can certainly be classified "natural," nature only plays a part -- a disaster is better understood in terms of its social effects. Taking a sociological perspective will allow us to examine what constitutes a disaster, how communities and individuals typically prepare (or don't prepare) for them, how survivors respond, how these response patterns differ from what is commonly perceived to occur, the media's role, organizational response patterns, and the role of planning and mitigation. We will examine actual disaster events, both natural, as in Hurricane Katrina, and human-made, like the attacks of September 11. |
|
Essential Capabilities:
Writing |
| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS SOC |
| Course Format: Discussion | Grading Mode: Student Option |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: SOC151 OR SOC152 |
|
Fulfills a Requirement for: None |
|
Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Kai Erickso, EVERYTHING IN ITS PATH
Eric Klinenberg, HEAT WAVE: A SOCIAL AUTOPSY OF DISASTER IN CHICAGO
Alice Fothergill, HEADS ABOVE WATER: GENDER, CLASS, AND FAMILY IN THE GRAND FORKS FLOOD
Walter Peacock, HURRICANE ANDREW: ETHNICITY, GENDER AND THE SOCIOLOGY OF DISASTER
|
Examinations and Assignments:
3 papers, one take-home final exam |
| Instructor(s): Owens,Lynn Times: .M.W... 02:40PM-04:00PM; Location: PAC421; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 27 | | SR major: 8 | JR major: 4 | | |
| Seats Available: -20 | GRAD: 0 | SR non-major: 7 | JR non-major: 4 | SO: 4 | FR: 0 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 17 | 1st Ranked: 1 | 2nd Ranked: 3 | 3rd Ranked: 2 | 4th Ranked: 1 | Unranked: 10 |
|
|