This course is designed to give a broad overview of natural disaster and modern tools like GIS to study natural disasters. This interdisciplinary course provides a background of the understanding, motivation, implementation, impact, planning, and implications of natural disasters. These will include Hurricanes, Floods, Drought, Landslides, Earthquakes, Wildfires, Tornadoes, Tsunamis, and Climate Change. The course will also discuss specific applications which can be used for policy planning and mitigation of natural disasters. This class is suitable for college students interested in gaining a fundamental knowledge of natural disasters, getting hands-on training in GIS, pursuing a certificate in Disaster Coastal studies, and learning about future prospects in this field. Lectures and assignments provide the primary means of learning. Class presentations, class participation, class projects, and tests will allow the students to demonstrate their understanding of the material.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
Co-listed As: NSD 201

This course introduces students to the field of Disaster Preparedness. Students will be gain competency to the terminology, policy, planning, and management issues that arise in preparing for and responding to disasters. This course will help students to develop an understanding of the role of the organizations in assisting individuals and communities affected by disasters during both immediate and long-term recovery. The course will examine case studies from current events and past disasters.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS

This course is an educationally directed practice experience in disaster management agencies with trained site supervisor. Focus will be placed upon the application of the Theoretical knowledge in real-life situations.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITE: Must complete the 2 core requirements

This course will introduce students to the different writing, message dissemination, and media networks. It stresses designing, editing, and distributing written materials used in the public relations practice. This course is also designed to help students develop the writing and editing skills necessary to succeed in public relations. Students will create effective, strategy-based public relations materials in a variety of formats, for an existing business or organization in the community. This course is also designed to have the students think critically about current events, including disasters natural and manmade, and how they relate to public relations practice. It will explain the requirements of the media and how to best incorporate the media to the advantage of the organization, and the importance of sensing what will make the strongest visual or textual impact.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITES: COM 101, COM 111, COM 112 & COP 111

This course focuses on psychological factors (e.g., stress, anxiety, depression, individual differences, or personality characteristics) and environmental events (e.g., natural or man-made disasters) that can negatively affect survivors' mental and physical well-being as well as the relationships between patients and practitioners. Through directed readings, class discussions, paper/journal assignments, and other didactic activities (e.g., guest speakers, field trips), students in this course will learn about the role of psychologists in the assessment and treatment of disaster-related mental and emotional problems, and the promotion of changes to lifestyle, health habits, and coping practices to optimize recovery from disaster (i.e., dealing with psychosocial sequelae of disasters). Offered every spring semester.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITES: PSY 111 and PSY 112
Offered every spring semester.

The course will present concepts and basic descriptive information about the public policy process in the executive and legislative branches of government and actions of the judicial branch in court cases. This will include examining the Federal Emergency Management Agency's legal requirements, responsibilities, and laws pertaining to emergency management, and actions based on These laws. Focus will also be placed on analysis of public policies and understanding of the procedures and requirements in emergency management.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS

The course will investigate the nature of complex social and community organizations such as business, industry, and government. Students will apply key social Theories for bringing effective community based social action. Special attention will be given to community-based disaster preparedness, recovery efforts, and management strategies. Students will be familiar with the strategies to build resilient community, community-mindedness, and cooperative relationships between disaster victims and recovery organizations. How disasters lead to rapid social change will also be explored.
CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS
PREREQUISITES: SOC 111 or SWK 115 (for Sociology majors). Non-majors (must complete one of the Theme areas of the General Education)
Co-listed As: SOC 331