INSTRUCTION DIVISION

SECOND SEMESTER 2023-2024

Course Handout Part II

Date: 09-01-2024

In addition to part-I (General Handout for all courses appended to the time table) this portion gives further
specific details regarding the course.

1. Course Number: HSS F363

2. Course Title: Disaster and Development

3. Instructor: Mohan Kumar Bera

Department of Humanities and Social Sciences,
BITS Pilani, Goa Campus

4. COURSE DESCRIPTION
The course aims at an understanding of the linkages between development and disaster. Recent disaster such as
Cyclone Titli, Andhra Pradesh, 2018, Severe Flood in Chennai, 2015 and in Uttarakhand, 2013 etc. have brought to
fore the importance of planning and that of disaster risk mitigation. It is also widely recognized that flawed policies
and practices of development engender disaster risk, neutralizing gains accrued over long period of time. Its impact
on business triggers a cascading effect, crippling vital functions in the short term and recovery most often is difficult
in longer terms. Conversely disasters, while being destructive in nature, also provide opportunities in its aftermath
to undertake more sustainable and resilient developmental practices.
5. Text Book:

Bankoff, G., Frerks, G. and Hilhorst, H. (2004) (eds) Mapping Vulnerability: Disasters, Development and People.
Earthscan

Papers to be uploaded on CMS

6. Course Plan:
Lecture Learning Objectives Topics to be covered Topics in details Text Book and
No. Ref. material

1-2 To understand the Conceptualisation of Defining development Reading

relationship between development Theories of development and Material
development and disaster debates
Understanding Risk Society
3 Gain an overall Course Structure, Lecture 1: Historical TB Part I
perspective of the course assignment understanding of disaster and
relevance of historical data,
policies and strategies

4-20 To understand how Disaster and Lecture 4: Theoretical explanation TB Part I

disasters impact Development: concepts of disaster, disaster management
development Introduction to policies Reading
vulnerability studies Rights based approach to Material
Role of Disaster disaster
Management Plans
Lecture 5: Human rights approach
to disaster
Lecture 6 : Human security
approach to disaster
Lecture 7: Participatory Approach
and collaborative approach in
Disaster
Lecture 8: The Global Goals and
disaster

Mapping disaster
Lecture 9 : Understanding
Vulnerability
Lecture 10: Understanding
Hazards and profiling hazards
Lecture 11: Understanding risk
Lecture 12-13: Assessment of
hazards, Vulnerability and
disasters
Lecture 14: Political economy of
disaster
Lecture 15: Livelihood approach
to disaster
Lecture 16-17 : Poverty, hunger
and disaster
Lecture 18: Disaster health
Lecture 19-20: Disaster and social
change
Lecture 20: Disaster and conflict

21-25 To develop an ability to Multi hazard analysis Lecture 21-25: Mapping disasters TB
conduct disaster risk Vulnerability and Reading
assessment Capacity Analysis Material
Risk evaluation and

26-32 To critically analyze
Mainstreaming of Disaster
Risk Reduction into
Development
decision making
Mainstreaming Lecture 26: Planning for disaster Reading
frameworks and tools management material
Policies, Plans and Lecture 27 : Disaster prevention
Regulations Challenges:
Lecture 28 : Disaster mitigation
data and modelling
limitation, political and Lecture 29: Disaster Preparedness
economic consideration and response
Lecture 30: Disaster Response
Lecture 31: CSR and disaster
Lecture 32 : Community based
disaster management
Lecture 33-35 : Disaster
Governance and policies
Lecture 35-37: Nature Based
Solution and Ecosystem based
solution

38-39 To gain skills for Disaster Business Continuity Plan Lecture 38-39: Business Reading
Management Planning (BCP) Continuity Plan material
Response and recovery
planning

8. Evaluation Scheme:

Evaluation Weightage Duration Date of Evaluation Nature of exam

Component (%) (Minutes)
Mid Semester 30 90 12/03/24, Tuesday 9:00 AM Closed Book
- 10:30 AM
examination
Comprehensive 35 120 08/05/24 (FN) Closed Book
examination
Assignment I 15 NA TBA Open book
Assignment 2 20 NA TBA Open book

M W F 7 A603

9. Course Notices: Notices, if any, will be displayed on Department Notice Board and CMS.

10. Plagiarism: Please be aware that cutting and pasting from websites is considered plagiarism. Students are
advised to document all sources. If you are not sure that you need to document a source, please ask the
instructor. Any hint of plagiarism in an assignment will fetch a zero.

11. Class hour: Monday, Wednesday and Friday in room no. A603 from at 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
12. Chamber consultation: TBA

13. Academic Honesty and Integrity Policy: Academic honesty and integrity are to be maintained by all the
students throughout the semester and no type of academic dishonesty is acceptable.

Mohan Kumar Bera

INSTRUCTOR-IN-CHARGE