Description
This course aims to enhance students’ understanding of the complex challenges that crises pose to government organizations and political leaders. It familiarizes students with the different schools of thinking on the causes of crises and disasters. It maps patterns and consequences of crises and disasters, demonstrating the importance of adequate preparation, effective strategies, and leadership performance. It then explores whether these patterns and consequences are changing as transnational crises such as financial implosions, mass refugee movements, and disease outbreaks become more impactful in an ever-more interconnected world. Lastly, it will offer an overview of best practices and common pathologies, which will help students understand what public leaders and international organizations can do to manage these crises. The seminar will build on a mix of theory, real-life cases, and policy documents. Students will learn to apply theoretical insights to the analysis of real-life crisis cases, formulating actionable advice for public authorities.
Course Objectives
Purpose: 1 In this course students will learn:
about the main theories that explain the causes and patterns of crises and disasters;
how to apply these theories to analyze international and national crisis cases;
to assess the impact of political leadership on the outcomes of crises and disasters
to understand the role of international organizations in the management of crises
to understand the dynamics of the post-crisis phase (media and the “blame game”)
Purpose: 2 Students will practice the following skills:review a book on a crisis-related topic
write a research proposal
write a thesis in which selected theories are applied to one or more crisis cases
translate theoretical findings into advice for practitioners
Mode of Instruction
Seminar (highly interactive)
Study Material
Book: A. Boin, P. ‘t Hart, E. Stern and B. Sundelius (2016) The Politics of Crisis Management (second edition). Cambridge University Press.
Articles (see Syllabus)
Assessment Mode
Book review 20%
Participation 10%
Research proposal for thesis 10%
Thesis 60%
Registration
See preliminary info
This course is earmarked for the specialisations PLJ and IP