Course description
Including:
Associate Degree in Social Science (Emergency Management) (exit point only) AssocDegSocSc(EmergMgt)
About the course
The Bachelor of Social Science (Emergency Management) aims to develop a practical as well as theoretical base for those people who have responsibilities in the field of Emergency Risk Management.
The course is designed to meet the needs and interests of a variety of client groups ranging from public bodies concerned with the protection of life and property such as local government, the police, fire, ambulance, state emergency services and community and health services to a myriad of private sector groups (e.g. the insurance industry, manufacturing industry).
Research has shown that the amount of damage being caused to communities around the world from both natural and technological hazards is increasing steadily. The management of natural and technological disasters has been formalised through government legislation establishing emergency management organisations which must develop and maintain community counter-disaster preparedness and plans at all levels of the community. The above evidence underlines the importance of activities to reverse the hazard trend by minimising the risk of hazards occurring and the consequences when they do occur. Training for the production of emergency management plans and effective emergency management is equally important.
Where it will take you
With a burgeoning world population and despite increasing technology, the incidence of damage to facilities and harm to people from the impact of natural and technological hazards is increasing exponentially. Our communities are becoming more and more vulnerable. This has brought about an increasing recognition of the need to protect all of our assets and resources and manage more effectively the risks that we face. Consequently, there are growing opportunities for people who have emergency management knowledge and expertise.
Your course is recognised by industry
The Bachelor of Social Science (Emergency Management) is a nationally recognised award.
Professionals teaching you
The course is taught by dedicated professionals with a wide range of industry experience. Two academics who will guide you through the course are:
Ian Manock (Course Coordinator and Lecturer)
Ian joined Charles Sturt University in 1999, having previously worked as a Regional Emergency Management Officer with the Tasmania State Emergency Service for eight years. In his position, Ian was responsible for maintaining the preparedness of regional emergency management plans. He acted as an adviser to local and state government agencies and private industry in the preparation of local emergency management plans and procedures. Prior to joining the SES, Ian was a Senior Inspector of Police with the Royal Hong Kong Police Force. Ian was also an officer in the Royal Air Force. He has spoken on emergency management related issues at a number of state and national conferences and workshops and has had a number of emergency management papers published. Ian holds a Masters degree in Emergency Management.
Valerie Ingham
Valerie joined Charles Sturt University in 2005, having previously worked as a lecturer at the University of Western Sydney. In her position, Valerie was a member of the teaching and supervisory team within the Graduate Certificate of Social Science (Emergency Services), coordinating aspects of the NSW Fire Brigade’s Inspectors Promotion Program. Valerie is currently undertaking a PhD and holds a Masters degree in Adult Education.
Articulation
The Associate Degree in Social Science (Emergency Management) is an exit-point only course within the Bachelor of Social Science (Emergency Management).
Credit
Depending on student qualifications, credit can be awarded for appropriate industry training applicable to the field of emergency management or previously completed tertiary education subjects, thereby reducing the total number of subjects required to complete the degree.
CSU has deemed that some courses provided by the Emergency Management Australia Institute (EMAI) at Mt Macedon in Victoria have sufficient concepts, principles, educational content and assessment regimes to make them equivalent to subjects within the Bachelor of Social Science (Emergency Management). Credit applications are dealt with on a case by case basis and determined by a thorough analysis of the applicant’s submission.
Key learning areas
Subjects are grouped according to three key learning areas to meet the objectives of the courses.
The key learning areas are:
Emergency Management
The Emergency Management subjects incorporate knowledge and understanding of the planning, operational and recovery principles and practices associated with the management of emergencies.
Social Sciences
The core subjects of Foundations of Psychology and Introductory Sociology provide the basis for studies in this area. Emphasis in the first of these subject areas will be on the application of psychology to the human services, while in sociology, the acquisition of knowledge and understanding of social issues (e.g. gender, ethnicity) will be the focus of attention. These subjects will provide the foundation for the study of Psychology of Stress and Trauma, Social Research and Community Analysis.
Human Resource Management and Management
The subjects in this key learning area are designed to provide emergency management practitioners with the knowledge and skills associated with the management of human resources and general management concepts and principles. The subjects in this sequence cover topics ranging from organisational behaviour, the role of the human resource manager and the processes of training and development in organisations.
Course components
During your first year you will study emergency management planning and associated processes, culminating in the production of a hazard/risk analysis, an emergency management plan, standard operating procedures, and an exercise and training analysis. You will also commence study into the application of psychology to the human services.
In the second year, you will complete the emergency management planning component before continuing with the application of psychology to the human services and the acquisition of knowledge and understanding of social issues.
Your third and fourth years will focus on emergency operations management. During this period you will be required to research the management of an emergency event.
After successfully completing your fourth year of study, you may exit the program with the award Associate Degree in Social Science (Emergency Management). If you continue to study into the final two years, you will focus on emergency recovery management and human resource management.
Graduation requirements
To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete 192 points (20 subjects).
