1. 1
Course Manual Anthropology of Disaster 2013-2014
Course catalogue number: 7313T0080Y
Credits: 12 EC
Entry requirements: Propedeuse antropologie, DM1 en/of DM2, een Oriëntatiemodule en
Tweedejaars essay (of Oriëntatiemodule oude stijl - 10 EC)
Instruction language: English
Time period: 2013-2014, Semester 1
Schedule and location: https://rooster.uva.nl/
Lecturers:
Dr. D.H. de Vries
Department of Sociology & Anthropology,
OZ Achterburgwal 185 (Spinhuis), Room 1.17
Appointment by email: d.h.devries@uva.nl
Course objectives:
After successfully completing this course the student will:
be able to explain the theoretical basis for anthropological approaches to disaster studies and
give examples;
understand the value of studying a disaster from a critical anthropological and historical
perspective;
be able to identify and summarize key theoretical and ethnographic texts engaging a critical
approach to disaster and mitigation;
identify problems and possibilities of doing anthropological research within disasters;
conduct independent literature research around one topic in disaster studies, problematize
and reflect on the topic and develop their thinking into an academic essay;
Course content:
The idea that disasters are on the rise is a commonly expressed concern. Whether caused by “natural”
hazards or events related to human agency (e.g. industrial accidents, complex emergencies or full-scale
conflicts), disasters seriously challenges local, national and international ability to cope and adapt.
When a flood of experts, bureaucrats, and analysts rush to the scene and personal tragedies are played
out in a barrage of media coverage, confusion and uncertainty reign on the ground while previous
development plans takes a new turn. Yet, a major lesson learned in the study of culture and disaster
has been that disasters are not simply the product of hazards impacting population centers, but
instead an outcome of a social and historical process of locally and globally produced vulnerability. For
example, families living on top of sewage-contaminated rubbish dumps or in buildings with
compromised structural quality, with no reliable sources of food and water and virtually no access to
2. 2
health care, was the common situation in Haiti before the 2010 catastrophic earthquake. As, the
earthquake catapulted this impoverished and conflict-ridden country into the international headlines,
its impact was not simply the result of its strong (7.0) magnitude, but instead reflecting historically
developed post-colonial population vulnerability.
Through this course we will examine a number of case studies in disasters in order to become familiar
with the range of critical concerns faced by disaster-affected communities. We will primarily use the
disciplinary lens of anthropology while including concepts from the study of socio-ecological
complexity. As disasters are not isolated events, we will learn how disasters provide an acute entry for
critical analysis of the larger structures of society. In doing so, we will examine the idea that the
anthropology of disaster has a unique place not only in disaster studies, but also within the field of
anthropology. As ruptures of space and time, disasters offer a holistic entry into core cultural values
while addressing key anthropological questions. The course highlights how the broad perspective of
anthropology addresses the multidimensionality of impacts to a community's social structures and
relationship to the environment. Further, the course will help students gain insights into how to apply
anthropological method and insight in order to strengthen applied work in early warning, mitigation,
response and recovery. Finally, we will pay attention to the practical sides of doing research. We will
look at what anthropological methods we can or cannot use and what ethical dilemmas researchers
can face when studying disaster.
Teaching methods:
This class uses a combination of interviews and group research, including a SWOT paper, guest
lecturers and general theoretical lectures, group presentations and reflective journal writing as
teaching methods. Students will work in smaller groups on a SWOT assignment based on actual
programmatic work currently existing at CORDAID, in The Hague, and as part of this will visit the main
office to schedule an interview. Students will independently work in a research paper that is based on
literature review, secondary data, or personal experience of reflection. The course runs for 16 weeks
during which there usually will be 12 weeks of two meetings of 2 hours per week. Week 8 (October 21)
and week 16 (December 16) are examination weeks and there will be no classes.
Course evaluations and adjustments to the course:
This is a new course that had not been previously evaluated. Students: bear with me as we work out
the kinks!
Assessment:
Attendance, journal reflection and participation (15%)
There is no mid-term examination. Instead, students write a SWOT paper which is to be presented
after the mid-term. These presentations, as well as smaller group presentations during working groups
will be assessed. There will be both SWOT presentations in larger groups as well as small presentations
where students lead discussion.
SWOT group paper (25%)
In small groups students will prepare and finalize a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats
paper based on a real disaster reduction program currently ongoing at Cordaid, The Hague. The paper
will be evaluated with input from the NGO contact. All group members will be given the same grade
for this paper. A reflection regarding team work is required (see blackboard).
3. 3
Final paper (60%)
A final paper is written on a topic of personal interest related to the course. The paper is a 6000 word
essay that counts for 60% of the final result. The paper content will be explored from the beginning of
the course through weekly personal reflections in the Disaster Journal. With regard to the final paper,
during the last week (week 16) students will have the chance to repair a failing grade—if needed. The
final version of the essay should be handed in in week 14 and will be assessed within one week, after
which some students who will have a failing grade will have the option to rewrite based on feedback.
Students who do not hand in their essay on time, can do so at the end of week 16, but they will forfeit
their right to repair. Students will generally be assessed through their final papers on their ability to
devise and sustain a logical argument relevant to the class theme, gather and interpret relevant
supportive evidence through data, effectively use and communicate theoretical ideas, problems and
solutions, are critical, creative and original, use correct style spelling and grammar, and demonstrate
skills needed to study further with a high level of autonomy. A minimum score of 5,5 is required for the
final paper to be valid for passing the course (OER art. A.3.6.6)
Attendance and rules of commitment:
Attendance at the seminar/tutorial is compulsory. A maximum of two seminars can be missed,
provided that student emailed lecturer in advance. Missing more than two sessions (lectures and/or
working groups) without a legitimate excuses means exclusion from participation in the course until an
assignment is completed. Missing more than four sessions without a valid excuse means the course
cannot be further completed.
Method of literature reference
Fraud and plagiarism are prohibited. The regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students
apply in full. Access these at: http://student.uva.nl/ca/az/item/fraude-en-plagiaatregeling.html
When students cite, paraphrase or refer to literature they should follow the rules as noted in the
Schrijfwijzer (2013). If these rules are not applied adequately, the assignments will not be examined
and the student is automatically due to resit (if scheduled). When fraud or plagiarism is suspected the
lecturer will inform the EC, who will investigate the case. Sanctions vary from exclusion from the
concerning course, to exclusion from any course for the entire academic year.
Written assignments should always be submitted through Ephorus (program of plagiarism detection)
on Blackboard.
Literature:
Susanna M. Hoffman & Antony Oliver-Smith (2002) Catastrophe & Culture: The Anthropology
of Disaster (School of American Research Advanced Seminar Series).
Eelco H. Dykstra (2009) Katrina. Orkaan in Nederland? Storm voor Europa. Kluwer, Deventer.
J. Evers & H. Kleijer (redactie) (2002) Rampenonderzoek. Siswo cahiers sociale wetenschappen
en beleid. P1-50. (www.siswo.uva.nl/pdf1/rampenonderzoek.pdf)
Additional articles
Date final grade:
- Planned date for final grade is within 20 working days from the date of completion of the final
paper.
4. 4
Programme:
Tuesday 13:00-
15:00,
Universiteits
bibliotheek
C1.13 (Belle van
Zuylenzaal),
Thursday 9:00-
11:00, Oost
Indisch huis
F0.22
Literature for this week Assignment
for this
week
1 3-9/5-
9
The First
Modern
Disaster & the
birth of Disaster
Risk Reduction
Guest Lecture:
Inge Leuverink,
Disaster
Preparedness
Expert, CORDAID
Disaster Risk
Reduction
program
Catastrophe & Culture - Introduction
Francois Lenfant & Rens Rutten (2013) Cordaid's
experience with impact evaluation. Development
in Practice Volume 23, Issue 1, 2013
J.C. Gaillard and Jessica Mercer (2013) From
knowledge to action: Bridging gaps in disaster
risk reduction. Progress in Human Geography,
2013, Vol.37(1), pp.93-114.
Disaster
Journal:
Personal
Reflection
on Disasters
& Course
Expectations
2 10-
9/12-9
Guest Lecture:
Deborah Stolk,
Prins Clauss
Fonds, Project
Cultural
Emergency in
Conflict and
Disaster
No class.
Fieldwork
opportunity
Magnus Fiskesjöa (2013). Cultural emergency in
conflict and disaster, edited by Berma Klein
Goldewijk, Georg Frerks and Els van der Plas.
Anthropological Forum: A Journal of Social
Anthropology and Comparative Sociology
Volume 23, Issue 2.
Chesmal Siriwardhana, Suwin Hewage, Ruwan
Deshabandu, Sisira Siribaddana and Athula
Sumathipala (2012) Psychosocial and Ethical
Response to Disasters: A SWOT Analysis of Post-
Tsunami Disaster Management in Sri Lanka. Asian
Bioethics Review 4.3: 171-182.
Disaster
Journal
Week's
Reflection
3 17-
9/19-9
Guest Lecture:
Willem van de
Put, External
Director,
External
Director,
HealthNet TPO
CORDAID
program
background
presentations:
GR1 9:05-9:20
GR2 9:25-9:40
GR3 9:45-10:00
GR4 10:05-10:20
GR5 10:25-10:40
Tol, W.A , M.J. D. Jordans, S. Regmi & B. Sharma
(2005). ‘Cultural challenges to psychosocial
counselling in Nepal.’ Transcultural psychiatry
42(2), pp 317-333
Breslau, Joshua (2000) Globalizing Disaster
Trauma: Psychiatry, Science, and Culture after
the Kobe Earthquake. Ethos 28(2): 174-197
Prepare
SWOT
background
presentation
+ Disaster
Journal
Week's
Reflection
4 24-
9/26-9
Vulnerability
Assessment
Students leading
discussion GR1,
GR2, GR3
Oliver-Smith, A. (1996) Anthropological Research
In Hazards And Disaster. Annual Review of
Anthropology 25:303-328
Bankoff,Greg (2004) The Historical Geography of
Disaster: ‘Vulnerability’ and ‘Local Knowledge’ in
Western Discourse (p25-‐36). In Mapping
Vulnerability: Disasters, Development and People.
Bankoff, Frerks & Hilhorst, eds. London:
Earthscan
Catastrophe & Culture - Theorizing Disasters
Disaster
Journal
Week's
Reflection
5 1-
10/3-
10
Risk &
Uncertainty
Students leading
discussion GR4,
GR5, GR6
Catastrophe & Culture - Danger and the No-Risk
Thesis
Catastrophe & Culture - Bounding uncertainty
Catastrophe and Culture - Missing Expertise,
Categorical Politics and Chronic Disaster
Cardona (2004) The Need for Rethinking the
Concepts of Vulnerability and Risk from a Holitic
Disaster
Journal
Week's
Reflection
5. 5
Perspective: A Necessary Review and Criticism for
Effective Risk Management. In Bankoff, G.,
Frerks, G. And Hilhorst, D., Mapping
Vulnerabitity: Disasters Development & People.
Earthscan, London.
6 8-
10/10-
10
Resilience &
Adaptive
Capacity
Students leading
discussion GR7,
GR8, GR9
Hillhorst, D. (2004) Complexity and Diversity:
Unlocking the Social Domains of Disaster
Response. In Bankoff, G., Frerks, G. And Hilhorst,
D., Mapping Vulnerabitity: Disasters
Development & People. Earthscan, London.
Gilberto C. Gallopı (2006) Linkages between
vulnerability, resilience, and adaptive capacity.
Global Environmental Change 16 (2006) 293–303.
Abel, T. and Stepp, J.R. (2003) A New Ecosystems
Ecology for Anthropology. Conservation Ecology,
7(3):12
Catastrophe & Culture - Theorizing Disasters:
Nature, Power, and Culture
Klein, R.J.T., Nicholls, R.J. and Thomalla, F. 2003.
Resilience to natural hazards: how useful is this
concept? In Environmental Hazards 5: 35-45.
Disaster
Journal
Week’s
Reflection
7 15-
10/17-
10
NO CLASS NO CLASS
8 22-
10/24-
10
NO CLASS NO CLASS
9 29-
10/31-
10
Historical
Ecology of
Disaster
Submit SWOT
17:00.
CASE SWOT
presentations:
GR1 9:05-9:35
GR2 9:40-10:05
GR3 10:15 -10:45
Catastrophe & Culture - Historical Disaster
Research.
Catastrophe & Culture - Punctuated Entropy as
Culture-Induced Change
Catastrophe and Culture - Modelling Protracted
Drought, Collateral Natural Disaster
Disaster
Journal
Week’s
Reflection +
SWOT due
29th 17:00.
10 5-
11/7-
11
Disaster
Symbolism &
Popular Culture
Submit paper
proposal (one
page, problem
& research
question,
literature
review)
CASE SWOT
presentations:
GR4 9:05-9:35
GR5 9:40-10:05
Catastrophe & Culture - The Monster & the
Mother & Popular Media Reframing of Disaster
Arthur Kleinman and Joan Kleinman (1996) The
Appeal of Experience; The Dismay of Images:
Cultural Appropriations of Suffering in Our Times.
Daedalus , Vol. 125, No. 1, Social Suffering
(Winter, 1996), pp. 1-23
Tierney, Katherine, Christine Bevc, & Erica
Kuligowski 2006 Metaphors Matter: Disaster
Myths, Media Frames, and their Consequences in
Hurricane Katrina. The Annals of the American
Academy of Political and Social Science 604:57.
Norris, Fran, Susan Stevens, Betty Pfefferbaum,
Karen Wyche, & Rose Pfefferbaum (2008)
Community Resilience as a Metaphor, Theory, Set
of Capacities, and Strategy for Disaster Readiness
Am J Community Psychol (2008) 41:127–150
Disaster
Journal
Week's
Reflection
+
Submit
paper
proposal
(one page,
problem &
research
question,
literature
review)
6. 6
11 12-
11/14-
11
Community
Coping
Strategies
Students leading
discussion GR10,
GR11,GR12
Catastrophe and Culture - Impact and Reponse to
Drought among Turkana Pastoralists
Annelies Heijmans (2004) From vulnerability to
empowerment. In Mapping Vulnerability:
Disasters, Development and People. Bankoff,
Frerks & Hilhorst, eds. London: Earthscan
Jean-Christophe Gaillard (2007) Resilience of
traditional societies in facing natural hazards.
Disaster Prevention and Management, Vol. 16
No. 4, pp. 522-544
Disaster
Journal
Week's
Reflection
12 19-
11/21-
11
Emergency
Management
Guest Lecture;
Rachel van
Cleeff
Disaster
Capitalism (film)
J. Evers & H. Kleijer (redactie) (2002)
Rampenonderzoek. Siswo cahiers sociale
wetenschappen en beleid. P1-50.
Desmond, M. (2006) Becoming a firefighter.
Ethnography Vol 7(4): 387–421[
Naomi Klein (2008) Disaster Capitalism: State of
Extortion The Nation. July 21/28, 2008
Disaster
Journal
Week's
Reflection
13 26-
11/28-
11
Emergency
Management /
Guest Lecture:
Eelco Dykstra
Draf paper
presentations
GR1-4
Heems & Kothuis (2012). ‘Waarom “Anders
omgaan met water” niet leeft bij burgers’ in:
Bestuurskunde 2012-4, pp.33-42.
Eelco H. Dykstra (2009) Katrina. Orkaan in
Nederland? Storm voor Europa
Disaster
Journal
Week's
Reflection
14 3-
12/5-
12
Draft paper
presentations
GR5-8
Final deadline
paper,
evaluation
Final paper
due on
Thursday
15 10-
12/12-
12
NO CLASS NO CLASS
(notification of
those papers
needing repair)
16 17-
12/19-
12
NO CLASS NO CLASS
(repairs due)
Repairs due
