Natural Hazards Assessment and Management

Code:

GEOGR005

Acronym:

AGRN

Instance: 2014/2015 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Geography
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Geography

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
GEOGR	51	GEOGR - Study Plan	2	-	6	4
			3

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

a) To reflect on interdisciplinarity in natural risks;
b) To understand the role of the geographer in the management of natural risks;
c) To know and apply methods of analysis and assessment of natural risks;
d) To take part in the definition of management politics of natural risks and in the selection of alternatives in response to the challenges presented;
e) To work out emergency plans and integrate natural risks management in physical planning;
f) To be aware of the worldwide dimension of natural hazards and their impact on development.

Learning outcomes and competences

1- Develop critical thinking
2- Develop the ability to understand natural hazards as a social phenomenon
3- To know how to use some tools for the assessment of natural risks

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Natural disasters
1.1. The change of paradigms
1.2. Disasters impacts
1.3. Spatial and temporal trends and patterns
1.4. The disaster reduction in international agenda
2. Natural risks assessment
2.1. Natural risk concept
2.2. Natural risk classification
2.2.1. Geophysical and geomorphological risks
2.2.2. Meteorological risks
2.2.3. Hydrological risks
2.3. Vulnerability, resilience and adaptation: the diversity of approaches
2.4. Hazard assessment: conceptual frameworks and methods
2.5. Vulnerability assessment: conceptual frameworks and methods
2.5. Models for risk assessment
3. Assessment of natural risks
3.1. Disaster cycle
3.2. From theory to praxis

Mandatory literature

Villagrán, Juan Carlos; Vulnerability. A conceptual and methodological review, UNU-EHS, 2006
Thywissen, Katharina; Components of risk. A comparative Glossary , UNU-EHS, 2006
Paton, D, Johnston, D.; Disaster Resilience: An integrated Approach, Charles C Tomas, Springfield, Illinois, 2006
Alexander, David ; Principles of emergency planning and management, Harpenden,Terra, 2002
Dauphiné, A. ; Risques e catastrophes: Observer, Specialiser, Comprendre, Gérer, Paris, Armand Colin, 2001
Green, Judith ; Risk and misfortune : a social construction of accidents, Routledge, 2003
Wisner, Benjamin. et al; At risk: natural hazards, people’s vulnerability and disasters, Routledge, 2004
Godschalk, David R. et al.; Natural hazard mitigation: recasting disaster policy and planning, Island Press, 1999
Brauch, Hans Günter; Threats, challenges, vulnerabilities and risks in environmental and human security, UNU-EHS, 2005
David Alexander; Natural Disasters, Routlrdge, 2002
Bryant, Edward; Natural Hazards, Cambridge University Press, 2005

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theory-practical classes, combining the expository method of programme contents and their implementation.
Active participation of students in the teaching-learning process.

Software

Excel
word
Arcgis

keywords

Social sciences
Natural sciences

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Teste	60,00
Trabalho escrito	40,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	62,00
Frequência das aulas	60,00
Trabalho de investigação	40,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Distribution assessment without a final exam - 75% class attendance and passing the assessment components.
Final exam - Positive grade in the assessment components.

Calculation formula of final grade

Distribution assessment without a final exam. Research assignment - 60%; mini-test - 40%.
The final exam counts for 100%.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not applicable

Classification improvement

Final exam.