Hazard Mitigation – HLSC 620
CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 02/01/2024
Course Description
In this course, students determine best practices for risk assessment composed of hazard identification, vulnerability assessment, and impact analysis as an integrated process. Throughout the course, students integrate the theoretical paradigm supporting the management of risk and risk-based decision making. Critical infrastructures will be examined from a risk assessment viewpoint. Various structural and non-structural mitigation strategies will be examined. This course will consider steps that should follow or be considered in conjunction with mitigation strategies such as but not limited to resiliency, continuity of operations planning, and redundancy.
For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.
Rationale
The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of the principles and practices involving hazard mitigation development and strategies. Mitigation and prevention strategies help to strengthen the homeland from many potential hazards and by doing so creates increased resiliency.
Course Assignment
Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes
Course Requirements Checklist
After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.
Discussion (8)
Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided topic for each discussion. Each thread is to be at least 250 words, cite at least 2 sources and 1 biblical reference, and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 100 words.
Understanding Risk and Mitigation Assignment
The student will complete a Research Paper wherein he or she will thoroughly explain the risk assessment process followed by the mitigation process. The student will explain the need and importance of conducting risk assessments. Explain how a risk assessment is done and what it should include. Best practices for conducting a risk assessment will be included. Next, the student will explain the mitigation process and what it should include. With both risk assessment process and the mitigation strategies the student will discuss governing legislation or policy guidance as well as tools (such as CARVER + SHOCK, IRMF, THIRA, etc.) and techniques for completing both phases. This paper will be exhaustive. The paper should be approached from an all hazards view. Finally, biblical foundations should be addressed. The student will write at minimum a 7-full page research-oriented paper in current APA format. The paper must include at least 7 sources (which can include the class textbook and the Bible) and must utilize headings and subheadings.
Risk – Mitigation Case Study Assignments
Risk – Mitigation Case Study Topic Assignment
The student will choose a major event (disaster, incident, or catastrophe) involving homeland security (emergency management focused allowed) and will advise the instructor, through course room email, of the event topic for approval by the end of Module 1: Week 1.
Risk – Mitigation Case Study Assignment
The student will provide an analysis of the chosen event from a risk and mitigation viewpoint. The student will describe the event. The student will discuss and explain what the known and potential unknown risk and threats were. The student will discuss what mitigation strategies were employed and what were not used but could or should have been. The analysis will be written in standard APA formatting using headings and references. A minimum of five full pages of content are needed. A minimum of five references are required.
Based on the student’s research and findings he or she will create a table / chart recommending at minimum 10 mitigation strategies for various threats or hazards that were examined in your paper. Five strategies must be structural in nature and five must be non-structural strategies. No written narrative is needed just a complete and thorough table/chart.
Mitigation Training Presentation Assignment
The student will prepare a PowerPoint (Audio/Visual) presentation wherein he or she will design an interagency interdisciplinary course of instruction. The presentation should be designed for those who would be tasked with carrying out risk assessment and mitigation strategies. The student will provide an overview of risk assessment and mitigation techniques and strategies. This should entail applicable policies and legislation. At the minimum various ways to go about conducting a risk assessment will be discussed. At least three different risk assessment tools should be briefly discussed. Critical infrastructure will be covered. Vulnerability and impact assessment will be reviewed. Next, the student will explain mitigation strategies and techniques. Structural and non-structural examples will be offered. Resiliency, redundancy, continuity of operations, and planning including operations planning will be addressed. Finally, the student will discuss best practices for carrying out a complete assessment and mitigation project of their choosing so as to illustrate to the participant the whole process. Finally, the student will apply biblical insight into the overall issue. The presentation must include at least 5 sources (which may include the class textbook and the Bible) and adhere to current APA format.
The student will use PPT Mix (Audio/Visual), which may be turned into a Windows Media Video WMV, to present and record his or her information. A minimum of fifteen content slides are required not including the cover and reference slides. The student will, at the minimum, use the same headings as listed previously in these instructions. The presentation needs to be at least 15 minutes long and should last no more than 30 minutes maximum. References will be included on the last slide. Once submitted for grading the student will email his or her PPT video to the rest of the class for their review. The student does not have to show him or herself in the video unless they wish to.
