Universität Wien

210153 SE M4: International Politics and Development (2021W)

International Disaster Politics in the Context of Climate Change

9.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 21 - Politikwissenschaft
Continuous assessment of course work
MIXED

Eine Anmeldung über u:space innerhalb der Anmeldephase ist erforderlich! Eine nachträgliche Anmeldung ist NICHT möglich.
Studierende, die der ersten Einheit unentschuldigt fernbleiben, verlieren ihren Platz in der Lehrveranstaltung.

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Plagiierte und erschlichene Teilleistungen führen zur Nichtbewertung der Lehrveranstaltung (Eintragung eines 'X' im Sammelzeugnis).
Die Lehrveranstaltungsleitung kann Studierende zu einem notenrelevanten Gespräch über erbrachte Teilleistungen einladen.
Moodle

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. 50 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

According to the final number of participants, we will establish a weekly alternating rotation scheme for the physical presence (e.g. during one week one group connects digitally, another physically in the room, and vice versa the following week). This arrangement will be communicated via moodle prior to the first session - please be cautious! Your physical presence is strongly encouraged, however only recommended to those complying with the 3-G rule. We will additionally attempt to meet occasionally and informally after the seminar.

Office hours during fall term: Fridays, 12:15-13:30 and Saturdays, 10:00-11:00 as well as prior registration per email.

  • Saturday 09.10. 11:00 - 13:00 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Saturday 16.10. 11:00 - 13:00 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Saturday 23.10. 11:00 - 13:00 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Saturday 30.10. 10:00 - 13:00 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Saturday 06.11. 11:00 - 13:00 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Saturday 13.11. 11:00 - 13:00 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Saturday 13.11. 13:00 - 14:00 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Saturday 20.11. 11:00 - 13:00 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Saturday 20.11. 13:00 - 14:00 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Saturday 27.11. 11:00 - 13:00 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Saturday 04.12. 11:00 - 13:00 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Saturday 18.12. 10:00 - 13:00 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock
  • Saturday 18.12. 13:00 - 14:00 Hörsaal 2 (H2), NIG 2.Stock

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

CONTENT: Against the background of ongoing climate change and increasing anthropogenic disaster risk (as highlighted by the current pandemic linked to deforestation), this interdisciplinary seminar combines central themes, theories and analytical frameworks of international studies (realism, liberalism, constructivism, feminism, etc.) with critical core issues of humanitarian studies. In particular, in the beginning (3 to 4 sessions), we introduce key concepts, international policy frameworks and civil society approaches (NGOs, social movements, indigenous, etc.), including selected methods, in the increasingly important field of global disaster policy. This will be followed by elucidating key debates around contentious politics and according to several research approaches (2 to 3 sessions, extended collective discussion). In the second part, we will review historical and current, but also regional approaches (EU, Latin America, Asia), as well as delimitations and overlaps with related areas, such as development cooperation, foreign intervention and foreign policy will be critically discussed and jointly elaborated in small group format based on weakly sessions and readings (session 7 to 11).
GOALS: Generally, basic concepts of disaster research, such as “vulnerability”, “resilience”, “exposure”, “hazard” and “risk”, loosely defined from the start, will be gradually enriched with interlocked social, economic, political and environmental problem dimensions over the course of the seminar and thus remain interrogated with the aim of acquiring independent, informed definitions towards formulating potentially novel policy ideas and input. Overall, you will be equipped to adequately understand, use and critically engage with these concepts, as well as to position yourself in ongoing contemporary debates, including policy-relevance.
METHODS: Small group-based autonomous literature study and preparation of interactive, engaging presentations (mock discussions, role plays, quiz shows, etc.). In addition, every week specifically tailored input will be collectively elaborated through short lectures (incl. video material and images), as well as group discussions and by applying flipped classroom methods.

Assessment and permitted materials

Written word tasks (including an introductory paper that has to be submitted by the second unit), group presentations and participation in online discussion forums, active participation in course sessions, final thesis. To ensure good scientific practice, the course instructor can conduct an oral reflection on the submitted work, which must be completed successfully.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Physical and cognitive attendance (max. 2 absent hours) according to the rotation scheme (otherwise digital and cognitive presence), willingness to weekly discuss and participate (small groups of 3 persons) in content, willingness to read the basic texts on a regular basis, timely submission of the written text tasks (literature summaries, online forums, etc.) and the final paper (group work).
All partial achievements (weekly written works, presentations and final paper) must be successfully completed in order to successfully complete the seminar.

A maximum of 100 points can be achieved:
• 91-100 points: Very good
• 76-90 points: Good
• 61-75 points: Satisfactory
• 50-60 points: Passed
• 0-49 points: Failed

Examination topics

All material, lectures and discussions are relevant for examination.

Reading list

Basic literature will be made available via moodle and updated according to specific interests and focuses. However, the following literature in bold will be used as key guide material over the course:

Books:
Bankoff, Greg; Frerks, Georg; Hilhorst, Thea (eds.). 2004. Mapping vulnerability: disasters, development, and people. London/Sterling, VA, Earthscan Publications.
Barrios, Roberto E. 2017. Governing Affect: Neoliberalism and Disaster Reconstruction. UNP-Nebraska. URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/j.ctt1mtz7p9.
Blaikie, Piers; Cannon, Terry; Davis, Ian; Wisner, Ben. 1994. At Risk: Natural hazards, people's vulnerability, and disasters. New York, Routledge.
Brown, Katrina. 2016. Resilience, development and global change. London and New York, Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
Dahlberg, Rasmus; Rubin, Oliver; Thanning Vendelø, Morten. 2016. Disaster Research: Multidisciplinary and International Perspectives. London and New York, Earthscan/Routledge.
Gamburd, Michelle. 2013. The Golden Wave: Culture and Politics after Sri Lanka’s Tsunami Disaster. Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Press.
Gunewardena, Nandini; Schuller, Mark. 2008. Capitalizing on catastrophe: neoliberal strategies in disaster reconstruction. Lanham, MD, AltaMira Press.
Hannigan, John A. 2012. Disasters without borders: the international politics of natural disasters. Cambridge, Polity Press.
Krüger, Fred; Bankoff, Greg; Cannon, Terry; Orlowski, Benedikt; Schipper E., Lisa F. (eds.) 2015. Cultures and Disasters Understanding Cultural Framings in Disaster Risk Reduction. London and New York, Routledge.
Lakoff, A. 2010. Disaster and the Politics of Intervention. New York. Columbia University Press.
Lawrence, Jennifer; Wiebe, Sarah Marie (eds.). 2018. Biopolitical disaster. London/New York, Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
Marchezini, Victor; Wisner, Ben; Londe R., Luciana; Saito M, Silva. 2017. Reduction of vulnerability to disasters: from knowledge to action. São Carlos, RiMa.
Middleton, N.; O’Keefe, P. 1998. Disasters and Development: The Politics of Humanitarian Aid. London, Pluto Press.
Oliver-Smith, Anthony; Alcántara-Ayala, Irasema; Burton, Ian; Lavell, Allan. 2016. Forensic investigations of disasters (FORIN): A Conceptual Framework and Guide to Research. Mexico DF, UNAM.
Oliver-Smith, Anthony; Hoffman, Susanne. 2002. Catastrophe & Culture. The Anthropology of Disaster. Santa Fe, NM, School of American Research Press.
Pelling, Mark. 2003. Natural Disasters and Development in a Globalizing World. London and New York, Routledge.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Fr 05.11.2021 12:28