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Natural Hazards and Disasters
Undergraduate | TAS-XBR208 | 2024
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR needed,
- No prior study
- Duration
- 12 weeks
HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Natural Hazards and Disasters
About this subject
Upon completion of this subject, the student should be able to:
- Explain the drivers and impacts of climate change and climate variability at different times-scales, using key climate science concepts
- Describe the information we get from global and regional climate models and the importance of accounting for uncertainty in planning for the future
- Explain the science of climate change using evidence-based information in a range of formats (verbally, short written pieces and graphically).
- Discuss the impacts of climate change on physical, biological and human systems on local and global levels.
- See LMS for topics
Naturally hazardous events do not necessarily result in natural disasters, rather, natural disasters are measured by the impacts of the event on people. This subject 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 will be a continual challenge for global society. Reflection on historic events is a powerful means of bringing about positive change. This subject 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 subject is of broad interest to those who will have decision-making and 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.
- Quiz (20%)
- Report (35%)
- Report (45%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
No entry requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
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