Programme Specification

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Programme Specification

PgD/MSc in Emergency Planning Management (distance learning) Entry requirements:

Candidates would normally be expected to have a first degree from a recognised university. Candidates with relevant work experience and candidates who have made meaningful contributions to relevant professional associations or industry bodies are also considered. These candidates are required to sit a written test, consisting of a short essay on a topic set by the Course Director. This essay is then assessed by both the Course Lecturer and Course Director. Interviews may be held with any candidate.

Where English is not the candidate’s first language, the successful applicant must have either IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 250 (computer) or 600 (paper).

Aims and Objectives

The key learning objectives of the PgD/MSc are that by the end of the programme the student will have developed the following skills and knowledges:

The student will be able to critically appraise data, information and opinion on matters pertaining to risk, crisis and disaster management.

The student will be familiar with all relevant theoretical understandings of risk, crisis and disaster management.

The student will be able to design a research programme, gather data, analyse and report on that data in a clear and objective manner, such that peers and others can have faith in and understand the results.

The student will be able to apply their knowledge to real-life situations with a view to making a positive contribution to risk management.

The student will be able to use information effectively and will have the confidence to assess the utility and appropriateness of novel sources of information.

The student will have gained an understanding of organisation theory and of how people behave in organisations.

Course Content and Structure

During the first eighteen months of study students are required to complete six modules each containing a number of units. The modules are written for self-study, and include questions at the end of each unit to encourage the student to appraise what they have read and test their understanding (these questions are for the student only and are not submitted for marking). Each unit ends with one or two readings, either a journal article, chapter from a book, government publication, substantial periodical or newspaper article, statistical presentation or other relevant document. Books are also supplied with each module, for example a substantial government report or academic text book. On completion of each module students are required to submit an assignment of up to 4,000 words, drawn from three options provided. MSc candidates progress to write a 20,000-word dissertation on a question of their choosing. They are supervised by an academic.

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Accompanying these modules are an Introduction to the Course booklet, which provides an overview and explanation of the course and a Course Booklet, which details administrative arrangements, including the submission of assignments and dissertations.

P07061/D: Module One: Theories of Risk and Crisis

Unit One An Introduction to Risk, Crisis and Disaster Management Unit Two A Theory of Crisis

Unit Three Systems Ideas and Risk

Unit Four An Introduction to Health and Safety Unit Five The Management of Organisational Risks Unit Six Safety Culture

Unit Seven Goals, Planning and Decision-Making

Unit Eight Case Study – The Hillsborough Stadium Disaster, 1989 P07066/D: Module Two: Managing Risk and Crisis

Unit One Introducing Risk Management

Unit Two Psychological Approaches to Risk Management Unit Three Risk Communication

Unit Four Cultural Theory

Unit Five Quantifying Risks and Hazards Unit Six Insurance Risk

Unit Seven Health and Safety Management Unit Eight Organisational Contingency Planning Unit Nine Case Study – The London Bombings

P07067/D: Module Three: Research Methods in the Study of Risk, Crisis and Disaster Management Unit One Getting Started: an Introduction to Research

Unit Two Research Ethics

Unit Three Reviewing the Published Literature Unit Four The Social Context of Research Unit Five Research Design

Unit Six Data Gathering Techniques

Unit Seven Qualitative Analysis and Presentation Unit Eight Statistical Tests

Unit Nine Writing a Research Proposal and Dissertation P07068/D: Module Four: Case Studies of Crises and Disasters Unit One Learning from Case Studies

Unit Two Case Study I: The Kings Cross Underground Fire Unit Three Case Study II: A Petrol Tanker Crisis

Unit Four Case Study III: The Amsterdam Aircrash, 1992 Unit Five Case Study IV: The Crash of TWA Flight 800 Unit Six Case Study V: The Flixborough Disaster, June 1974

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Unit Nine Conclusion

P07069/D: Module Five: Models of Risk and Crisis Unit One Introduction

Unit Two The Role of Central Government in Disaster Management Unit Three Disasters as Heuristics?

Unit Four The Economics of Disaster – Sea Empress Unit Five Hazard Construction

Unit Six National Emergency Management: A Comparative Study Unit Seven The Lockerbie Disaster: Experiences of a Victim’s Family Unit Eight The Public Inquiry: An Example and a Critique

Unit Nine Conclusion

P07070/D: Module Six: Risk, Crisis and Disaster Management Unit One Introduction

Unit Two Land Use Planning: Risk Assessment and Decision-Making Unit Three Command and Control of Major Public Gatherings

Unit Four Managing Low-Intensity Crises Unit Five Urban Area Evacuation

Unit Six Integrated Emergency Management Unit Seven Disaster Inquiries in the United Kingdom

Unit Eight Managing Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome/Disorder (PTSS/D) Unit Nine Conclusion

P07021/D: Dissertation

In the last six months of the course students must complete a dissertation of not more than 20,000 words on a question of their choosing. This provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their acquired research skills and academic knowledges, and ability to generate new knowledge in a subject area they find interesting and which, possibly, is directly relevant to their work. The dissertation writing process begins with the submission of a dissertation proposal. The student is then allocated a dissertation supervisor with the requisite knowledge in the chosen subject area.

Subject and Professional Skills

Intended Outcomes Teaching Methods How demonstrated Knowledge

Advanced knowledge of risk, crisis and disaster management theory and method and the ability to apply this knowledge to real-world issues and problems.

Advanced knowledge of research methods in the social sciences.

Independent research & written course modules, readings and text books.

Assessed essay and dissertation.

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Concepts

Detailed understanding of how complex problems can be understood through the application of academic theory, complemented by data-generating research.

Independent research & written course modules, readings and text books.

Assessed essay and dissertation.

Techniques

Detailed understanding of how to design and conduct social science research. Ability to marshal research data, commentary and theory with a view to understanding complex risk, crisis and disaster management problems. Ability to communicate analysis and thoughts to others in writing.

Critical Analysis

Ability to apply theoretical and research concepts with rigor and constructive self-critique. Capacity for reflexive analysis.

Presentation

Ability to write in an expansive and lucid manner on theoretical and practical issues. Ability to generate, marshal and present data in a way that generates and aids understanding of complex issues.

Appraisal of Evidence

Ability to analyse commentary, theory and data in the field of risk, crisis and disaster management. Ability to clearly express observations and conclusions on evidence considered.

Transferable Skills Managing Learning

Ability to manage self-directed learning and meet deadlines, both during essay and dissertation-writing.

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Research Skills

Knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and ethical dimensions of social science research. Capacity to formulate research questions, choose and critically apply research tools to generate insight and understanding.

Working Relationships Knowing how and when to draw on the expertise of course lecturing and University

Library staff. Having the confidence to liaise with fellow students on academic matters.

Data Presentation

Ability to present data clearly and effectively both in essays and especially in the dissertation. Ability to extract and clearly communicate meaning.

Communication Skills

Ability to enquire and communicate effectively in the context of Study School tutorials. Ability to describe theory and research results clearly and effectively in writing. Ability to ask information suppliers for documentation and pursue until supplied.

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