Courses and Schedule
Courses
Required courses:
- PRFTRN102 Reconstruction after the Cameras Have Gone: Principles and Best Practices
- PRFTRN103 Climate Change, Global Food, and Water Resources
- PROJMGT002 Practical Project Management
- PRFTRN104 Human Dignity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Post-Disaster Reconstruction
Electives:
You may choose one of the following electives:
- PRFTRN093 Performance Management in Government and Non-Profits
- PRFTRN106 Social Vulnerability Approach to Disasters
- PRFTRN114 Independent Study in Global Post-Disaster and Management
Schedule
Summer 2013 - Offered online.
- PRFTRN106: May 28 - Aug 22, Fee: $750, Class No. 1461
Fall 2013 - Offered online.
- PRFTRN102: Sept 9 - Dec 2, Fee: $750, Class No. 1482
- PRFTRN103: Sept 9 - Dec 2, Fee: $750, Class No. 1483
- PRFTRN104: Sept 9 - Dec 2, Fee: $750, Class No. 1484
- PRFTRN106: Sept 9 - Dec 2, Fee: $750, Class No. 1485
- PRFTRN114: Sept 9 - Dec 2, Fee: $750, Class No. 1486
Spring 2013 - All courses offered online.
- PRFTRN102: Feb 4 - May 6, Fee: $750, Class No. 1250
- PRFTRN103: Feb 4 - May 6, Fee: $750, Class No. 1014
- PRFTRN104: Feb 4 - May 6, Fee: $750, Class No. 1015
- PRFTRN106: Feb 4 - May 6, Fee: $750, Class No. 1013 CANCELLED
- PRFTRN114: Feb 4 - May 6, Fee: $750, Class No. 1016
- PROJMGT002: Feb 4 - May 6, Fee: $1160, Class No. 1008
- PRFTRN093: Jan 20 - Mar 2, Fee: $700 ($600*), Class No. 1009 (1010*)
* Municipal, state, and federal employees only.
Course Descriptions
PRFTRN102 Reconstruction after the Cameras Have Gone: Principles and Best Practices
CEU: 3.5
Video Introduction | Closed Captioned
Description: Almost every day, in recent times, most parts of the world are inflicted with one type of disaster or another. Indeed, images of horror and destruction, dislocation and starvation, as well as of those of dying children and grieving women have become common in the newspapers and on television screens. Ironically, in the case of developing countries, the tragic impacts of disasters are further exacerbated by increased level of poverty, rapid and uncontrolled urbanization, and the continuous changes in the climatic, political, and economic circumstances.
This course examines and seeks to answer the following questions: what can be done to alleviate the suffering of the victims and to support them in rebuilding their lives and homes? How can we intervene to mitigate the impact of disasters? How could future disasters be prevented? How could the tragedy turn into an opportunity for development?
PRFTRN103 Climate Change, Global Food, and Water Resources
CEU: 3.5
Description: This course will examine the causes and consequences of climate change with a special focus on food and water resources. It will analyze proposals to prevent and mitigate global warming with both proactive and responsive policies. The course will investigate policy changes to our world agricultural systems that will promote long-term food and water security. Weekly case studies will supplement reading assignments and facilitate discussions centered on the current issues. Through this course, students will gain a working knowledge of the politics, economics, and science affecting water and food issues. Economics is vitally important and at the core of many of our most challenging food and water problems and solutions, hence, natural resource economics will be a major part of this course.
PRFTRN106 Social Vulnerability Approach to Disasters
CEU: 3.5
Description: This course brings disaster social science to the next generation of disaster managers to help build a science-based and human rights approach to risk reduction. While many approaches to social vulnerability exist, this course takes a sociological approach that sees social vulnerabilities as social productions which may be reflected, reinforced, and contested in disasters, and can be reduced through disaster management. Readings and discussion, primarily but not exclusively focused on the United States and similar societies, introduce students to the growing body of literature on factors shaping social vulnerability to hazards and disasters, and hence to disaster resilience. Rather than examining "special needs" we take an approach that looks for intersecting patterns of power and privilege, vulnerability and capacity in everyday life, which then positions individuals and groups differently in the face of natural, technological and human-induced hazards which may then become disasters.
PROJMGT002 Practical Project Management
CEU: 3.5
Description: Project management is an essential skill in today’s business world. Organizations are faced with increasing pressure to complete projects within shorter time frames and with smaller budgets than in the past. Professionals need a workable method to ensure that their projects are profitable and aligned with the strategic goals of their organization.
Practical Project Management provides professionals with the essential skills they need to succeed in an increasingly competitive job market. Based on The Project Management Body of Knowledge®, this highly interactive course combines expert instruction with case studies and team exercises. In addition to technical competencies, the course covers the human and political aspects of project management by using examples from students’ own projects, including areas such as social services, health, finance, and disaster recovery.
Click here for more information about Practical Project Management.
PRFTRN104 Human Dignity, Human Rights, and Sustainable Post-Disaster Reconstruction
CEU: 3.5
Description: Understanding the intersecting dynamics of human dignity, humiliation, and human rights in today’s world is crucial for those working in post-disaster reconstruction. Greater awareness of human rights ideals brings to the forefront the risk that post-disaster strategies and responses, once accepted and considered helpful, are perceived as deeply humiliating. This course explores how globalization dramatically alters how we engage in helping relationships at all levels. It proposes that post-disaster reconstruction can be an opportunity to implement innovative and sustainable solutions that support the healing, health, and dignity of all involved in post-disaster recovery.
PRFTRN093 Performance Management in Government and Non-Profits
CEU: 2.0
Description: Governments around the world have increasingly come to realize the value of setting goals, measuring performance, and using the resulting data as a core management tool to improve societal outcomes. This management approach is often referred to as "performance management" or "managing for results." Experience has shown that, when well used, goals and measurement can greatly improve the operation and understanding of government programs and priorities. Experience has also shown that misuse of goals and measures, especially when combined with incentives, can provoke dysfunctional, performance-dampening responses.
This course explores what performance management means and how government agencies can adopt this management approach. Students will learn how to develop skills to refine the way goals and strategies are articulated so that they can be effectively measured, and to select practical performance measures. Also covered are how to identify target audiences, present data clearly, and to analyze and use data to improve performance. Using theoretical readings, case studies, and exercises, the course provides a conceptual grasp of the underlying dynamics employed when you manage for results. It also provides a practical understanding of how to apply performance management tools successfully at all levels of government and in non-profits, across a wide range of policy areas, including social service delivery, health, education, public safety, transportation, and disaster preparedness/recovery.
Click here for more information about Performance Management in Government and Non-Profits.
PRFTRN114 Independent Study in Global Post-Disaster and Management
CEU: 3.5
Description: This guided independent study will allow the student to choose and explore an area of strong interest in global disaster studies that is not covered by available courses. A detailed proposal must be submitted to, and approved by the Director the Center of Rebuilding Sustainable Communities after Disasters (CRSCAD).
