Sociology of Disasters

Catalog description

An overview of sociological research on disasters. While popular myths portray disasters as uncontrollable forces emanating from nature, sociologists have long understood disasters as social phenomena. By examining research on specific disasters, such as hurricanes Katrina and Harvey, students will gain an understanding of how public policies often turn weather-related hazards into disasters. Students will also gain a deep understanding of how disasters both reveal and magnify inequities by race, class, gender, and ability.