Universität Wien
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140372 SE VM5 / VM3 - Historical perspectives on disaster management and risk prevention (2017S)

Continuous assessment of course work

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 20 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Monday 20.03. 14:00 - 16:00 Seminarraum SG3 Gender-Studies, Sensengasse 3, Bauteil 1
  • Wednesday 05.04. 15:00 - 18:00 Seminarraum SG3 Gender-Studies, Sensengasse 3, Bauteil 1
  • Wednesday 26.04. 15:00 - 18:00 Seminarraum SG3 Gender-Studies, Sensengasse 3, Bauteil 1
  • Wednesday 03.05. 15:00 - 18:00 Seminarraum SG3 Gender-Studies, Sensengasse 3, Bauteil 1
  • Wednesday 17.05. 15:00 - 18:00 Seminarraum SG3 Gender-Studies, Sensengasse 3, Bauteil 1
  • Wednesday 24.05. 15:00 - 18:00 Seminarraum SG3 Gender-Studies, Sensengasse 3, Bauteil 1
  • Wednesday 31.05. 15:00 - 18:00 Seminarraum SG3 Gender-Studies, Sensengasse 3, Bauteil 1

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This seminar explores ways of approaching 'natural' disaster as an object of historical inquiry on the local, regional, national, inter- and trans-national as well as global level.
It aims at critical examining disaster as a phenomenon that has environmental (and other) causes, yet is always socially constructed. How have perceptions of risk and explanation of disaster differed over time in western- and non-western societies? When did the management of natural disaster become a concern of the state? What role does natural disaster play in nation building and the cultural history of a state? And when did it become an international or even intergovernmental concern?

Assessment and permitted materials

Term paper, presentation, discussion of a presentation, attendance and participation

(no exam)

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Term paper (40%)
Presentation (30%)
Discussion of a presentation (15%)
Attendance and participation (15%)

Students need to be able to read, speak and write in English. Previous classes in history, development or humanitarian studies are an advantage, but not a condition.

Examination topics

The "naturalness" of disasters; questions of social behaviour, politics and inequality; the nation and state building; disaster diplomacy; disaster science, prevention and development; international management of disaster

Reading list

Recommended literature (a full reading list will be distributed during the first session and texts will be accessible on moodle)

· Hannigan, John. Disasters without Borders: The International Politics of Natural Disasters. Cambridge: Polity Press, 2012.
· Janku, Andrea, Gerrit J. Schenk, and Franz Mauelshagen, eds. Historical Disasters in Context: Science, Religion, and Politics. New York: Routledge, 2012.
· Kelman, Ilan. Disaster Diplomacy. New York: Routledge, 2012.
· Lebovic, Nitzan, and Andreas Killen, eds. Catastrophes: A History and Theory of an Operative Concept. Oldenbourg: De Gruyter, 2014.
· Svensen, Henrik. The End Is Nigh: A History of Natural Disasters. London: Reaktion, 2009.
· Walter, François. Katastrophen: eine Kulturgeschichte vom 16. bis ins 21. Jahrhundert. Stuttgart: Reclam, 2010 (also available in French).

Association in the course directory

VM5; VM3

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:35