Umeå University
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Syllabus:

Reconstruction after Crises and Disasters, 15 Credits

Swedish name: Återuppbyggnad efter kriser och katastrofer

This syllabus is valid: 2014-04-21 valid to 2014-04-27 (newer version of the syllabus exists)

Course code: 2KG055

Credit points: 15

Education level: Second cycle

Main Field of Study and progress level: Human Geography: Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Political Science: Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements

Grading scale: A Excellent, B Very good, C Good, D Satisfactory, E Sufficient, FX Insufficient, F Insufficient

Responsible department: Department of Geography

Revised by: Head of Department of Geography and Economic History, 2014-04-08

Contents

The purpose of the course is to examine social reconstruction in areas/countries/regions that have experienced crises or disasters. The course also examines questions of reconstruction in areas/countries/regions characterized by week social institutions and structures. The course integrates the perspectives of political science and human geography

The Political Science perspective focuses on the importance of formal and informal social structures, and democracy and development are central concepts. Describing and analyzing the political, geopolitical, economic, social and physical social structures are given considerable attention during this part of the course. Development theory and global geopolitics, development and trade are examined from a local-development perspective.

The Human Geography perspective focuses on construction/reconstruction of a functioning society after different types of crises and conflicts. External relations and international efforts, structural measures, political institutions and processes and the importance of informal structures are examples of issues to be considered. Throughout the course attention is given to the question of social planning and how it is/can be organized during reconstruction.


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Expected learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete the course will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding
1. describe and understand developments in weak areas/countries/regions, and in areas/countries/regions that have experienced a crisis or disaster,
2. understand the global geopolitical position of an area/country/region and outsiders interest or lack of interest in the area/country/region,

Competence and skills
3. identify and analyze the formal and informal structures that characterize an area/country/region,
4. apply and analyze a plan-of-action rooted in an understanding of the existing conditions in a weak/post-crisis or disaster area/country/region,
5. understand and analyze the possibilities for social planning in a period of construction/reconstruction,
6. analyze how political institutions contribute to or hinder reconstruction and recommend institutional and process-oriented reforms,
7. apply and analyze the reconstruction process from a gender perspective as well as ethical perspectives,

Judgement and approach
8. obtain and analyze information necessary for reconstruction, as well as evaluate the quality of available information.


 

Required Knowledge

Univ: 120 ECTS, 60 ECTS of which in a major field of subject, including 7,5 ECTS in quantitative methods, or the equivalent knowledge.

Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English A (IELTS (Academic) with a minimum overall score of 5.5 and no individual score below 5.0. TOEFL PBT (Paper-based Test) with a minimum total score of 530 and a minimum TWE score of 4. TOEFL IBT (Internet-based Test) with a minimum total score of 72 and a minimum score of 17 on the Writing Section).

Form of instruction

The course is taught using a mix of lectures and seminars. The course includes guest-lectures by experts from Swedish national agencies and agencies and researchers from other countries. Students are required to work both individually and in groups to complete several assignments and projects. Relevant gender issues related to the contents are continuously integrated in the course. The course is taught in English.

Examination modes

Examination is based on course assignments, both written and oral as well as an individual, written assignment. It shall be presented as a written report. In order to be able to receive the grades A and B on course assignments, they must be handed in on time.
Make-up tests and other make-up assignments based on this course syllabus are guaranteed for a period of two years after a student initially registered for the course.
Students who have failed two examinations may request a new examiner, unless extenuating circumstances exist (HF 6kap. 11b §). In such cases students should contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies to request a new examiner.

ACADEMIC CREDIT TRANSFER
Credit transfer is always examined individually.

Literature