Disaster and Emergency Management BSc (Hons) with foundation year

We live in complex, challenging and energising times. The world faces significant and unprecedented challenges. At the same time efforts are being made to meet these challenges from major global initiatives such as the Sustainable Development Goals, The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to grassroots movements such as Extinction Rebellion and Black Lives Matter. This module introduces the world today, how we got here, and where we may be going. It asks you to consider your place in the world, how the issues of the present and past shape and impact you and your future, and the role you may play in it all.

Compulsory

This module aims to provide a critical overview of the nature of academic research and help you to evaluate current research in your subject area. You will have opportunities to develop and demonstrate a range of key scientific, social science, technical and mathematical/statistical skills to address simple research questions and you will present your research findings in multiple forms. This module will give you the confidence to plan and design simple research projects, implement a variety of academic research techniques, and allow you to develop and demonstrate your digital literacy.

Compulsory

This module considers the fundamentals of disaster and emergency management in both research and practice. Using a variety of case studies from the UK and abroad, key terminology such as hazard, risk and vulnerability will be introduced within a range of contexts, showing how each of these elements contribute to the creation of disasters and emergencies. The module will also introduce key legislation and guidance for emergency and disaster management in the UK and other countries such as the USA, Philippines, or New Zealand. The module will also discuss how social, economic, and political contexts shape disasters, their management and response to them.

Compulsory

This module aims to equip you with sector-specific fundamentals relating to Emergencies and Humanitarianism. You will delve into theory, principles, practices, and frameworks associated with specialised professions. You will also explore the contexts within which disaster preparedness, response and recovery are undertaken. The module will also consider contemporary threats and challenges which emergency systems must be prepared to respond. The module provides an opportunity for you to discuss and review a range of approaches within the sector and the extent to which these align to best practice, considering principles, standard operation procedures and codes of conduct associated with the sector.

Compulsory

The aim of the module is to provide you with an insight into and an understanding of the concept of project management and cost management. This will include an introduction to project structure and stakeholders, managing different kinds of projects, project cost appraisal and innovation in projects. The knowledge in these topics will help you to develop an understanding of the process used in your respective fields and industries and how your actions can impact on the overall cost of a project and to promote inclusivity, sustainability and foster innovation.

Compulsory

This module offers you a practical examination of how the United Nation's (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be implemented and furthered within the Built and Natural Environment. The module will introduce you to how individuals, communities and businesses within the Built and Natural Environment could be responding to the UN SDGs and helping to transform the world through their impact.

The module identifies how the SDGs impact your course discipline by exploring the 17 SDGs and focusing on the delivery and implementation of a student-led project that encompasses the most applicable SDG or a combination of SDGs to your specific academic discipline.

Compulsory

The aim of this module is to further develop your research methods and skills for geography, energy and disaster management students, specifically focussing on the skills and understanding necessary to undertake a final year research project. The module is designed to challenge you to think critically, independently and work as part of a team. You will develop key research and practical fieldwork skills necessary for collecting and analysing quantitative and qualitative data. We will explain the components of a good project and provide opportunities to practise the required skills. In addition, the residential field trip² will provide further opportunities to gain experience of research and fieldwork methods and techniques. The module will support you in making an informed decision about the proposed topic of their final year project.

Compulsory

Modern society has faced a growing number of complex and interconnected challenges, from climate change, natural hazards, wars, to a range of anthropogenic industrial, economic and environmental threats. This module attempts to address the causes and perceptions of risk and the notion of risk appetite and acceptability of risk. It also covers theoretical principles of risk management, including risk assessment methods and tools. In addition, you will learn to analyse the statutory duties, and statutory and non-statutory guidance relevant to emergencies and planning approaches. You will apply knowledge acquired so you can review and improve approaches to integrated arrangements for dealing with emergencies.

Compulsory

In this module, you will examine business continuity and crisis management practices, principles, and terminologies. You will explore leading industry practice and research on how to manage security threats to digital and physical assets. The practical sessions will help you to review and appreciate traditional and emerging challenges within the scope of complex adaptive systems and growing research into systems and complexity modelling challenges. Key guidance, standards and legislative requirements from respected international sources will help guide and hone the knowledge and skills required.

Compulsory

The aim of the module is to facilitate your understanding of theories and approaches to training and exercising in the context of UK emergency management. The module aims to teach you how to critically assess and evaluate generic principles of training and apply them to training needs for emergency management in the UK. In addition, approaches to exercising emergency response and recovery plans will be evaluated. You will be given the opportunity to observe, participate in and develop your own emergency management training events and exercises.

Compulsory

The aim of this module is to introduce you to the relationship between the built environment and the dynamics of communities. It will engage you to think critically about place, space and community from a historical, ethical, economical and design perspective. The module will explore the processes of physical developments in settlements of various sizes, with a particular focus on urbanisation and urban development nationally and internationally. The module familiarises you with the most influential theories of urban design in relation to architecture, geography, and sociology and develops your ability to conceptualise, practice and critically evaluate the design of urban sites for sustainable and resilient communities.

Compulsory

In this module, you will undertake a critical analysis of a specified location and associated project that has been influenced by the United Nation's (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Your analysis of the project will explore the impact, success or failure alongside possible solutions that will be fundamental to the positive future development of the location. You will research, appraise, critique, develop and then communicate to a wider audience the impact and implementation of the identified SDGs for the location/ project. The focus of the review will be linked to your academic discipline within the Built and Natural Environment and draw upon prior learning from your previous cognate knowledge.

Compulsory

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

This module aims to evaluate the chronological development of our understanding and use of the terms community, resilience, recovery and reconstruction and relate them to concepts and practice in disaster and emergency management. You will evaluate relevant models and theories associated with ‘community’ and participatory practice and their importance in disaster preparedness and recovery planning. You will also assess case studies from contrasting global contexts with a view to identifying good practice in recovery and reconstruction.

Compulsory

Our world is changing rapidly, and the future is uncertain. This is a time of disruption: disruption to global climate, disruption to established systems, disruptive technology. This module considers where we are now and what the future could bring. You will explore questions such as: How do we navigate uncertain times to develop sustainable and fair ways of doing things and implement appropriate longer-term plans? What are the emerging solutions to age-old problems, and what else could be around the corner?

We will focus on varied and emerging means of meeting and predicting the challenges of the future. For example: What is the role of social enterprise in meeting humanitarian and development challenges both in the UK and globally? What are the techniques for predicting and then planning future actions to address complex, evolving and interconnected issues? How can you change the world?

Compulsory

The module aims to equip you with the capacity to understand, evaluate and analyse key concepts and debates regarding governance systems associated with emergencies and humanitarian response. You will acquire the necessary knowledge and skills for policy formulation and development to be able to critically assess issues relating to systems for emergency preparedness and humanitarian response in a range of contexts; the UK, middle-income, and developing countries. The module prepares you to acquire a range of analytical skills necessary for policy formulation, decision-making, Inter-agency cooperation and coordination and to familiarise yourself with macro factors that have been instrumental in shaping practice, and direction(s) of travel for disaster organisations(agencies).

Compulsory

This module aims to help you gain a theoretical and conceptual understanding of the way crises and disasters happen, and of the patterns of behaviour and communication that emerge in response to them. You will be able to contextualise crisis and/or disaster and their causation in terms of economic, technological, managerial, cultural, social and political consequences. The module further aims to develop your appreciation and understanding of the complex arrangements needed to manage disasters and emergencies both nationally and internationally.

Compulsory

The aim of this module is to enable you to develop your research skills by conducting primary or secondary research focused on a specific problem of relevance to your discipline. You would use different methods and research skills, gained over previous years of study, to effectively communicate research novelties and ideas to the academic and non-academic communities. It will enable you to understand the importance of correct and critical analysis of all the factors involved in a problem and develop your initiative as you pursue and execute the investigation, demonstrating originality and creativity.

Compulsory

This module aims to introduce you to critical thought and methods as applied in an overseas field location². The module will extend your fieldwork skills and your grasp of contemporary methodologies and techniques. Emphasis in the classroom, and the field, is placed on experiential learning whilst also ensuring the continuation of transferable field and academic skills development. Experiences and skills that will be developed include undertaking research in the field; making observations, collecting and collating data; critically debating previous research, taking responsibility for one’s own learning though individual- and teamwork and formulating hazard and risk assessments for fieldwork.

Compulsory