Course Listings

Comprehensive Crisis and Emergency Management

EMAN 600 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: An analysis of all hazards, phases (mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery), and actors involved in crisis and emergency management. Discussion covers the definition of crises, emergencies, and disasters and concepts and issues in crisis and emergency management. Focus is on developing crisis, contingency, and incident management plans. Current frameworks, management systems, and command systems for organizing a response, deploying resources, managing the response organization, supporting crisis communication, and making decisions in a turbulent environment are examined. Topics are discussed from U.S. and international perspectives.

Hazard Risk and Vulnerability Assessment

EMAN 610 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: An examination of risk, hazard, and vulnerability. Topics include systematic hazard risk assessment, risk mitigation (reduction), risk transfer, and risk analysis. Discussion covers contemporary approaches to risk assessment and management of naturally or technologically induced hazards. Environmental hazard assessment is also examined. Seminal works published in the area are reviewed.

Information Technology in Emergency Management

EMAN 620 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: An overview of the role of information in crisis and response management. Discussion covers disaster and crisis information requirements; information technologies and decision support tools applied to crisis, disaster, and emergency management; and information problems encountered during emergencies. Tools used include the global positioning system (GPS), geographical information systems (GIS), UAS (drones), and hazard and emergency management-related software packages, as well as decision analysis methods. Assignments include practical case studies.

Crisis Communication for Emergency Managers

EMAN 630 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: An exploration of current strategies and tactics for managing the range of communication responsibilities and issues that arise during a variety of crisis situations. Traditional and new media methods for analyzing crisis and communications management issues (including the use of current technologies) are applied using relevant public relations research, theory, and case examples. A strategic approach is used to better identify issues, goals, stakeholders, messaging, and other aspects involved in developing community-specific public responses to crisis situations.

Seminar in Emergency Management Leadership

EMAN 670 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: An examination of the role, mission, and functional skills of the emergency manager that compares and contrasts current aspects with evolving trends. Factors that affect successful leadership in emergency management such as managing crises, disasters, and emergencies through discussion of key issues and analysis of selected case studies are explored. Discussion covers the evolving multidisciplinary nature of the emergency manager's job and characteristics and leadership styles most effective in emergency management. Summary reviews of various theories, models, historical examples, and practical applications are used to reflect the central activities of emergency managers and gain a better perspective on the emergency manager's job. Topics include planning, risk assessment, crisis communications, organizational and operational issues, problem solving, overcoming bureaucratic barriers to effective performance, promoting a culture of disaster prevention and preparedness, advising on business continuity strategies, acquiring resources, staff training, and emergency exercises. Ethics and legal issues in emergency management, the procurement of facilities, staff management, and controversies are also examined