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Course Descriptions

REQUIRED COURSES:

EXT 370 PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (4 credits) | Syllabus
This overview course provides an introduction to society’s organized response to natural and technological hazards and disasters in the United States. Examine the events that threaten communities and challenge those who are responsible for the lives, safety, and well-being of others. Explore the history and evolution of emergency management from citizen volunteer activities to the organization systems in the public and private sectors. Course will include an expanded look at the history of disaster and its consequences in the United States. An overview of risk assessment will be included, along with an examination of the basic tenants of sustainable communities and their role in disaster mitigation. An overview of communication issues relevant to emergency management will also be provided. Required prerequisite.

EXT 371 PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (3 credits) | Syllabus
Study the theory and techniques involved in developing an emergency management plan for a public or private sector organization. Explore the processes involved in data gathering, hazard identification and vulnerability assessment, plan development, training and exercise. Students will prepare a draft emergency program development plan for the organization of their choice.  Minimum enrollment of six students required.   Required prerequisite.

EXT 372 LAW AND POLICY IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (3 credits) | Syllabus
Discuss the Stafford Act, legal processes related to emergency management and their effect on social change, delivery systems, and affected populations. Readings encompass the intent, development, and use of legislative, judicial, administrative, and policy/procedural systems within Federal, State, and local levels of government. Required prerequisite.  Minimum enrollment of four students required.

SELECT ONE FROM THE FOLLOWING:

EXT 466 INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION IN DISASTER SERVICE (3 credits) | Syllabus
Examine the interpersonal dynamics of verbal and written communication in relation to emergency management. Focus on analyzing communication issues, listening effectively, and understanding nonverbal communication, speaking in public, and working with the media. Topics include tailoring communication styles to meet the needs of a particular audience, the appropriate situation for different types of presentations, and the value of empathetic listening and effective feedback.  Minimum enrollment of six students required.  EXT 466 or 464 may be taken to fulfill requirement.

EXT 464 GROUP DYNAMICS & FACILITATION OF E. M. SYSTEMS (3 credits) | Syllabus
Evaluate group systems in relation to the effective implementation of emergency management systems. Reviews the influence of personality styles, identifies the process of problem solving, determines solutions for organizational problems in terms of work motivation/group dynamics, and assesses the role of conflict management in an emergency management setting. Emphasis will be on participation in and facilitation of task-oriented or decision-making groups and leadership theory.  Minimum enrollment of six students required.   EXT 464 or 466 may be taken to fulfill requirement.

SELECT ONE FROM THE FOLLOWING:

EXT 494 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT INTERNSHIP (2-6 credits)
As a culminating project, each certificate student is required to complete either an internship or a professional development project. The internship is designed primarily for those students who have had little exposure to the field of emergency management. Students find their own placement to gain hands-on practical experience with a public, private, or non-profit organization that has significant emergency management responsibilities. S/U grading only. EXT 494 or 495 may be taken to fulfill requirement upon advisement.

EXT 495 PROFESSIONAL RESEARCH PROJECT (2-6 credits)
As a culminating project, each certificate student is required to complete either an internship or a professional development project. The professional development project is designed primarily for those students who have extensive career experience in the emergency management field. The self-guided project is designed to provide enhanced knowledge of a particular subject area that is relevant to the student's current career responsibilities. S/U grading only. EXT 495 or 494 may be taken to fulfill requirement upon advisement.

ELECTIVE COURSES:

EXT 465 IMPACT OF DISASTER (4 credits) | Syllabus
Investigate the impact and consequences of post-traumatic stress on victims, families, emergency workers, and community members resulting from natural disasters, human-made emergencies, or societal violence. Readings and discussion will center on psychological, physiological, biological, and behavioral reactions to emergencies with an emphasis on risk factors, social support systems, crisis intervention and treatment. Examines the effectiveness of programs designed to prevent mental health problems. Prerequisites: EXT 370, 371 and 372 or permission of instructor.

EXT 467 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND THE CHALLENGE OF TERRORISM (3 credits) | Syllabus
Survey acts of political terrorism, ranging from low-level threatening acts to acts of violence that present significant risk to human life and property including large-scale acts of violence using "weapons of mass destruction" that have devastating long-term effects. This course will address the nature and many forms of terrorism as well as policies and programs to reduce risk from the consequences of terrorism. Prerequisites: EXT 370, 371 and 372 or permission of instructor.

EXT 463 SOCIAL ISSUES IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT IN THE 21ST CENTURY (4 credits) | Syllabus
Outline the effects of contemporary social issues and conflicts upon the development and delivery of emergency management systems in the United States. Participants will gain an understanding of the varying constraints and motivations of people different than themselves. Provide lessons in social interaction and discussion concerning the behavior and response of cross-cultural, religious, and special needs populations before, during, and after a disaster. Also addresses national demographic trends and the economic consequences of disaster. Prerequisites: EXT 370, 371 and 372 or permission of instructor.

EXT 497 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: BUSINESS CONTINUITY PLANNING (4 credits) | Syllabus
Learn to define, analyze, and prepare responses to reduce the risks and maintain operations in the event of a natural or human caused disaster in business. Processes and issues presented include: preparedness, prevention, mitigation, response, vulnerability; physical, social, economic, and ecological factors, and the culture of risk-management. Areas covered include the human and physical elements of risk management as well as risks to electronic data in business. Students will prepare a model for survival.

EXT 497S PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (3 credits) | Syllabus
This course reviews the role and capability of public health and health care systems and addresses the expectations of public health in disaster preparedness and response to all types of disasters. It examines the growing threat and potential public health consequences of disasters. The course covers theory and practice of various public health issues in emergency preparedness and considers the implications for policy makers. Lectures, reading assignments, online discussions and individual projects will be used to introduce students to the diversity of public health issues associated with disasters.

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Office hours: 8:00am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday
Mailing address: Western Washington University, MS 5293, 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225   360.650.3308