Sociology of Disasters

Catalog description

Disasters are usually sudden events that result in catastrophic loss of life and/or property. They are often described using terms like disorder, chaos, and panic - descriptions which belie the highly socially structured nature of disasters. This course takes a closer look at disaster situations using a sociological lens. We will examine the social elements of several disasters, including the sinking of Titanic, the collapse of the World Trade Center towers on 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and others. Through these cases, students will learn about (1) the social-psychological and collective dynamics that govern behavior in disaster situations, (2) the role social networks and organizations play in disaster occurrence, response and recovery, and especially (3) the role of social disadvantage in shaping vulnerability to and mortality risk in disasters.