Prospectus

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Case Study Fukushima

Course
2018-2019

Admission requirements

Mandatory course for students enrolled in the bachelor’s programme Security Studies.

Description

In this course students explore the nuclear disaster in Fukushima, Japan. On May 11th, 2011 an earthquake caused a tsunami that hit the Fukushima nuclear power plant. This eventually led to a nuclear meltdown and release of radioactive material. This disaster is an example of a non-intentional threat (safety) to vital interests in modern society.

By following the logic of interdisciplinary thinking, students will learn how to understand and explain the Fukushima disaster in terms of causes, effects and implications for organisations (public and private), citizens and natural environment.

Students will explore the Fukushima case by applying knowledge and methods from relevant academic disciplines. They will learn to review an event, or set of events, through the lenses of various academic perspectives and gain the ability to apply this skill to other cases in the domain of security and safety.

Course objectives

  • Students will acquire knowledge and comprehension of several safety science basic concepts and/or methods, in relation with the following disciplines: (1) environmental studies; (2) engineering; (3) public administration; (4) communication.

  • Students will acquire knowledge and all-round understanding of non-intentional disasters affecting vital interests in modern societies (safety).

  • Students will be able to select, weigh and integrate concepts and methods from relevant disciplines in order to gain a deeper understanding of a real-life safety case.

  • Students will be able to carry out an interdisciplinary assessment of a safety case and present findings in an academic paper.

  • Students will be able to show awareness of social and cultural differences and the ethical dilemmas in this case study.

Timetable

On the right side of programme front page of the E-guide Bachelor Seurity Studies you will find links to the website and timetables, uSis and Blackboard.

Mode of instruction

14 lectures and self-study.

Course Load

Total study load of 280 hours

  • Contact hours: 42

  • Self-study hours: 235

  • Examination: 3

Assessment method

  • Academic paper: 40%

  • Final exam (written exam): 60%
    More information will be available on the Blackboard page.
    Each sub grade has to be at least 5.50 to pass the course
    The calculated grade has to be at least 5.50 to pass the course.

Resit
Students will be permitted to re-sit an examination if they have a grade lower than 5.5 or with permission of the Board of Examiners.
Resits will take the same form.

Blackboard

Course page will be available one week in advance.

Reading list

To be announced on Blackboard.

Registration

To be announced by OSC staff.

Contact

Dr. G. Landucci g.landucci@fgga.leidenuniv.nl