Courses & Units
Natural Hazards and Disasters KEA105
N/A
Natural Hazards and Disasters is a unit that sits at the nexus of the Natural Sciences (Climate and Earth Sciences), Human and Physical Geography, Sustainability, and Journalism/Media. Case studies are developed on recent natural events, with an emphasis on Tasmanian examples. Interviews with professionals in fields associated with disaster risk, community resilience, emergency management and response are leveraged and provide assessment tasks with real place-based context. There are no pre-requisites for this unit.
Introduction
Naturally hazardous events do not necessarily result in natural disasters, rather, natural disasters are measured by the impacts of the event on people. This unit will introduce the natural Earth systems that create natural hazards, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunami, cyclones, fire, landslides and floods, and address how geographic, societal, economic and political factors prevented or promoted events becoming natural disasters. This background knowledge is combined with highly topical case studies provided by teaching staff, and those led by students, which will describe historic local, national and global natural disasters. The case studies dissect the decision-making processes of key stakeholders and the public driven by societal, political and economic pressures, and uncover the role of and relationship between traditional journalism and emerging media (e.g., social media, citizen journalism) in the construction and communication of disaster events. Natural hazards and disasters are a continual challenge for global society. Reflection on historic natural disasters is a powerful means of bringing about positive change. This unit also includes a critical analysis and evaluation of multi-disciplinary, institutional and cultural changes following disaster events and an investigation of successes and failures with policy development, implementation and outcomes associated with natural disaster events. This unit is of broad interest to those who will have decision-making, crisis and communications responsibilities in both public and private sectors, including emergency managers, government and public decision makers, response personnel (ambulance, police, fire), utility managers, urban planners, and citizens.
Summary
| Unit name | Natural Hazards and Disasters |
|---|---|
| Unit code | KEA105 |
| Credit points | 12.5 |
| College/School | College of Sciences and Engineering School of Natural Sciences |
| Discipline | Earth Sciences |
| Coordinator | Associate Professor Rebecca Carey |
| Available as an elective? | Yes |
| Delivered By | University of Tasmania |
Availability
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 1 | Off-Campus | International | Domestic | |
Key
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
Note
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Key Dates
| Study Period | Start date | Census date | WW date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | 26/2/2024 | 22/3/2024 | 15/4/2024 | 2/6/2024 |
* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).
Unit census dates currently displaying for 2024 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2024 will be available from the 1st October 2023. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).
Learning Outcomes
- Explain the terms and concepts relevant to the environmental, climatic and geological conditions that lead to various natural hazards and pandemics.
- Describe relationships between variables, or the network of events and decisions of stakeholders and the public in shaping various historic natural disasters.
- Explain the role of planning and governance on shaping impacts from natural hazards and disasters.
- Apply effective communication in relation to natural hazards and disasters
Fee Information
| Field of Education | Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 | Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 | Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 | Domestic Full Fee 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 010799 | $1,118.00 | $1,118.00 | not applicable | $2,596.00 |
1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.
If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.
Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.
Teaching
| Teaching Pattern | Fully online unit Weekly lecture content is provided online in MyLO. The weekly content is a mixture of lectures and interview with practitioners in disaster risk and resilience, government, emergency management among others.
|
|---|---|
| Assessment | Geological Hazards Quiz (10%)|Prepare questions for panel members for the Q&A session (10%)|Climate Assignment (20%)|Narrated Presentation (30%)|Public information brochure or webpage (30%) |
| Timetable | View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable |
Textbooks
| Required |
Required readings are provided by the Unit Coordinator |
|---|---|
| Recommended | Recommended readings are provided by the Unit Coordinator | Links | Booktopia textbook finder |
The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.