Short Course Description
This course is one of the mandatory elective courses in the International Master's Program in Disaster Management at the Gray Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University. The course introduces students to the major theories, concepts, and approaches in public policy, with a particular emphasis on policymaking in the context of disasters and complex global crises. Throughout the course we address one central question: How can public policy help societies anticipate, respond to, recover from, and adapt to complex crises and disasters?
Public policy is examined as a dynamic process involving multiple actors, institutions, interests, and governance arrangements operating under conditions of uncertainty, limited information, and competing priorities. Throughout the course, students explore the policy process, from agenda setting and policy design to implementation, learning, and policy change, and examine how governments and societies respond to contemporary challenges such as natural hazards, climate change, pandemics, armed conflicts, and post-disaster recovery. Using real-world case studies, policy simulations and class debates, students will strengthen their ability to critically evaluate public policies and develop practical policy recommendations for disaster risk reduction, emergency management, and community resilience.
Full Syllabus
