Course Descriptions

Introduction to Emergency Management Operations


Introduction to the theories, principles, and organized approaches to emergency management at local, state, and federal levels. Topics include the history of human vulnerability to natural, man-made, and technological hazards; the advent of emergency management professions; and an examination of current emergency response systems. 3 Credits (3 Lecture)

The History and Evolution of Emergency Management


Analysis of the history and evolution of emergency management in the United States.  Topics trace events that have impacted and motivated change in approach to EM with analysis of the situations within its governing body. (Formerly BEM310) 3 Credits (3 Lecture)

Incident Command System Operations


Introduction to the roles, designs, and functions of incident command operations integral to emergency management services at the local, state, and federal levels. Exploration of multi-agency coordination related to various types and severity of disasters/incidents. 3 Credits (3 Lecture) Prerequisite(s): BEM101 and BEM103 or BEM101 and BEM102.

Emergencies, Disasters, and Catastrophes


Overview of emergencies, disasters, and catastrophes from a social, political, historical, policy, environmental, international, and cross-cultural perspective. Focus on the differences in these events in terms of scale and cause as well as the diverse approaches of managing these events. 3 Credits (3 Lecture)

Disaster Preparation and Planning


Comprehensive introduction to the principles, theories, and approaches to emergency response planning at the local, state, and federal levels. Includes analysis of the tasks, roles and responsibilities of designing and implementing emergency response plans in various communities. 3 Credits (3 Lecture) Prerequisite(s): BEM201.

Disaster and Emergency Management Ethics


Basic study of philosophical ethics and its application to disasters and emergency management. The major philosophical approaches to ethics, including relativism, religious ethics, egoism, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics, are applied to theoretical and real-world examples of natural and man-made disasters and their management. Throughout, emphasis is placed on the role of rational argumentation in justifying the actions or expected reactions to emergency management at the local, state, and federal levels. 3 Credits (3 Lecture)

Disaster Response


Analysis of the principles that promote effective disaster response practices in operations and management. Examines the nature of disasters, the context of response operations, and the roles and responsibilities of various individuals and organizations. Reviews the popular myths and realities of human behavior in catastrophic events as well as the divergent approaches to disaster response operations. Effective response criteria for affected populations is discussed, including implementing the emergency operations plan, warning, evacuation, search and rescue, emergency medical care/mass casualties, mass fatalities, sheltering and mass care, donations management, damage assessment, the disaster declaration process, media relations/public information, individual and public assistance, and critical incident stress management. 3 Credits (3 Lecture)

Crisis Communication


Introduction to the theories, principles, and hands-on best practices associated with crisis communication with an emphasis on planning and conveying public communication before, during, and after natural and manmade crises.  Topics include identifying and messaging effectively to targeted audiences, including vulnerable and diverse audiences; complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act; engaging community partners in message-making; understanding and using multimedia tools, including social media; addressing misinformation and audience emotion; understanding human behaviors during crises; and understanding the function of a Joint Information Center and Public Information Office in the emergency management construct.  3 Credits (3 Lecture) Prerequisite(s): BEM101 and ENL111. As needed.

Disaster Recovery


Study of the basic concepts, operational procedures, and authorities involved in recovering from major disasters. Addresses federal, state, and local government roles and responsibilities in major disaster recovery work, with an emphasis on government coordination and the problems frequently arising in recovery operations. An overview of preliminary damage assessment, disaster recovery centers, and special needs of victims and disaster workers is included. 3 Credits (3 Lecture)

Spatial Analysis in Emergency Management


Study of the variety of collection techniques that add value to data contained in a geographic information system. Theory and application include topics in hazard mapping, risk and vulnerability analysis, and evacuation analysis. Course work provides hands-on experience in applying spatial analytical techniques using GIS and spatial analytical software to address some research question. Exploration covers essential methodological and practical issues that are involved in carrying out sophisticated spatial analyses using GIS and other spatial type software to help emergency management agencies make policy decisions. 3 Credits (3 Lecture) Prerequisite(s): BEM201.

Social/Psychological Foundations of Emergency Management


Study of the empirical vs. theoretical approaches to understanding human behavior in disasters. Explores myths and realities about group disaster behavior, community social systems, and disaster response as well as the role of culture and demographics in emergency response. Course work utilizes psychological and sociological approaches to understanding human behavior during disasters and presents competing theories about the psychological and social foundations of emergency management. 3 Credits (3 Lecture) Prerequisite(s): PSY241.

Technological Elements of Emergency Management


Study of the role of the technological elements related to effective emergency management.  Topics cover a wide variety of current and emerging technologies related to the management of actual and potential incidents.  (Formerly BEM102) 3 Credits (3 Lecture) Prerequisite(s): BEM265. (Writing Enriched)

Healthcare System Preparedness


Exploration of the complexities of healthcare system preparedness and the ability of a healthcare system to prepare for, respond to, and recover from incidents that have a public health and medical impact in hte short and long term. 3 Credits (3 Lecture) Prerequisite(s): ENL111 and SPC101.

Emergency Management Internship



Emergency Management Capstone

