Disaster Law and Policy ((4 Credits))

Catalog description

This course critically examines the intersection of law, policy and human behavior in the context of risk, hazards and disasters. Students will explore how legal frameworks and individual choices heighten vulnerability to natural hazards and how understanding these factors can inform effective disaster mitigation strategies. Key topics will include an analysis of a federal authority in disaster response, the roles of state, tribal and local governments as well as the contributions of private and nonprofit organizations to disaster management. Additional areas of focus may encompass risk analysis, disaster insurance, and compensation mechanisms and other related topics. An international perspective is incorporated through the review of global agreements and their relevance to disaster scenarios both worldwide and within the United States.