Postgraduate Programs in Disaster Management (PPDM)

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Postgraduate Programs in Disaster Management (PPDM)
Postgraduate Programs in Disaster Management (PPDM)

Postgraduate Programs in Disaster Management (PPDM)

Program Overview

Postgraduate Programs in Disaster Management (PPDM) was launched in 2005 as the first academic and research program on Disaster Management within the structure of a university in Bangladesh. It is the first such program in the entire South Asian region. It allows contributing to the nationally and internationally significant practice-oriented field of disaster management. It offers master, diploma, and certificate degrees.

It offers degrees in five specialized streams:

1. Disaster Risk Reduction
2. Social Safety and Community-based Adaptation
3. Human Security and Humanitarian Crisis Management
4. Climate Change Adaptation and Sustainable Development
5. Public Policy and Organizational Strategies

The streams allow to deal with diversified current as well as changing/evolving disaster-related issues. The idea matches with the current concepts of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and mainstreaming Disaster Mitigation. All streams allow meeting the demand shift at the international and national level, focusing on specialized knowledge on social safety, adaptation, climate change impacts, humanitarian assistance, sustainable development, policy analysis, and organizational strategies.

Students will get opportunities to choose a stream based on their interests, experiences, and future opportunities for employing the knowledge. The Stream-specific master program makes the degree unique among similar degrees provided by other institutes. It allows conducting theory-based as well as practice-oriented programs on relevant scientific fields, technologies, and social issues, emphasizing the need of acquiring field based knowledge through conducting field studies and surveys.

Program Highlights

The postgraduate program targeted at active professionals allows contributing to this nationally significant practice-oriented field.
It supplements profession-based education of graduates of various discipline, serves to further post-professional qualification and allows career development.
A significant part of learning takes place outside the classroom during field visit. The outcome of the course is transferable skills that can be applied in practice.
This program is largely targeted for development organizations and it is related to the BRAC organizational framework that provides accessibility to training and research.
The programs satisfy the need for training staff members of national and international NGOs involved in disaster management.

Career Opportunities

I am delighted to have the opportunity to express that the post-graduation journey in Disaster Management, Brac University has added a new dimension to my academic career. The kind guidance and assistance of some amazing teachers has made my journey easier. I hope the knowledge and ideas acquired from this program will complement my future career and help me to leave my footprint in Disaster Management and Climate Change field.

Ms. Monira Sharmin
Program Intern
IFRC/ American Red Cross

Careers and Prospects

The Postgraduate Programs in Disaster Management (PPDM) at BRAC University prepares individuals for an astounding future career in the Disaster and climate management field. Disaster Management, a multi-disciplinary program ameliorates the vision of an individual for restoring the environment from adversities. With a highly diverse set of courses constituting its curriculum, the PPDM allows to perceive profound knowledge in fields of Community Based Disaster Management, Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, Disaster Preparedness, Response and Recovery Strategies and other related issues. The program, accredited by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under the Department of Architecture opens up opportunities for fresh graduates from different backgrounds, develops a concern regarding Disaster and climate change, and encourages them to consider themselves as Disaster Management professionals in diverse ways in both Bangladesh and abroad. This program offers technical knowledge and complements the professionals in their respective fields.

Prospective Students from a diverse background

Disaster Management
Environmental Science
Development Studies
Sociology
Architecture
Urban design
Urban Planning
Agriculture
Geography and Environment
Geology
Civil Engineering
Economics
Food and Nutrition
Meteorological Department
Media and Communication

Placement and Further Study Opportunities

Upon completion of this degree, our alumni can expect to:
Explore the wide range of research areas both at home and abroad such as Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change, and its Adaptation, Urban Disasters, etc.
Avail internship opportunities in different organizations working in the disaster management field.
Prospective employment at various projects under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR) and other related government agencies.
Prospective employment at various Non-Government development and humanitarian Organizations.
Can be engaged in various Disaster Management programs within the UN system.

Some of the areas the student can expect to work after graduation:
Climate Change mitigation and adaptation
Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)
Climate Displacement/ Refugee and migration
Disaster Risk Management
Media ethics in Disaster
Post disaster reconstruction
Crisis/ emergency management
Humanitarian assistance
Conflict resolution and peace building

Course-based Program Structure

This postgraduate program in Disaster Management comprises of Core courses and Elective courses. Each course contains 3 credits.
Core Courses

DMG 511: Fundamentals of Disaster Risk Management - 3 Credits
Risk, hazard and disaster. Science of various types of natural and human-induced hazards. Principles of disaster risk management. Resilience and vulnerability. Disaster risk reduction (DRR) in the context of risk response and risk transfer, DRR in the context of recovery. Multi-hazard risk management. Field visit and study.

DMG 512: Disaster Preparedness, Response and Recovery Strategies - 3 Credits
Strategies for strengthening DRR. Disaster preparedness planning. Vulnerability management planning. Emergency preparedness and evacuation planning. Development of early warning system, Risk insurance. DRR in the context of short-term and long-term recovery. Rehabilitation of victims and reconstruction of damaged infrastructures applying the principle of ‘build back better’. Providing emergency services including medical team with physiotherapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and counselors. Post-disaster trauma management. Gender responsive approaches. Local, national, regional, and international drivers. Coordination among local, national, regional, and international activities. National and international supports. Mobilization of aids and grants.

DMG 513: Tools and Techniques in Disaster Risk Management - 3 Credits
Geographic information system (GIS) for disaster risk reduction. Constituents of vector and raster models. Utilization of spatial information for decision-making. Remote Sensing Techniques. Geo- and hydro-informatics. MIS. Social and environmental impact assessment. Damage and disaster risk assessment.

DMG 514: Research and Analytical Methods - 3 Credits
Research typologies, Basic statistical and sampling techniques, Survey techniques, Qualitative and quantitative research, Qualitative methods: CRA, PRA, KII, Case study, Interview, Narratives, Content analysis and others. Software for qualitative and quantitative data analysis. Literature Review. Field visit and survey. Dissertation writing.

Elective Courses

DMG 611: Disaster Risk Reduction and Sustainable Development - 3 Credits
Sustainable development and livelihood. Linkages between disasters and development. Disaster-Development continuum. Integrating risk reduction perspective in disaster risk management stages, Mainstreaming disaster risk reduction. Strategies of mainstreaming disaster risk reduction. Development policy and planning for disaster management, Mainstreaming DRR in all development activities, Maintenance of public infrastructure.

DMG 613: Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation - 3 Credits
Global phenomenon of climate change and its local and regional impacts in the form of increased frequency, intensity, and magnitude of disasters. Policies, strategies, and mitigation measures for reducing climate change impacts. Community adaptation strategies. International protocols and treaties. Impacts of climate change in Bangladesh.

DMG 614: Organizational and Policy Context of Disaster Risk Management - 3 Credits
Multisectoral approach for DRR. Roles of government/NGO/international funding agencies/private sectors/armed-forces (may be taught in ‘case-study’ format) in disaster risk reduction. Cluster approach and interagency coordination. Humanitarian accountability practices. Code of conduct. Standing Orders. Policy formulation. Program and project implementation.

DMG 615: Emergency Response and Humanitarian Assistance - 3 Credits
Emergency conditions and humanitarian crisis. Humanitarian response. Mass atrocities. Principles and standards of humanitarian assistance. Refuge, stateless person, and displaced person. Forced migration. Humanitarian intervention. Tools and techniques of need assessment. Emergency response planning: human resources, storage of relief goods, selection of beneficiaries, distribution of relief goods, accountability, and quality.

DMG 616: Disaster Communication, Media, and Journalism - 3 Credits
Communication and dissemination techniques. Principles of Disaster Journalism, Public awareness campaigns. Training and education programs for mass people. Roles of media, internet, and telecommunications. Roles of social media. Roles of unmanned aerial vehicles for disaster risk reduction.

DMG 617: Urbanization and Disasters - 3 Credits
Impacts of rapid urbanization. Urban bias in development. Principles of urban planning. Urban services and infrastructure. Interagency coordination. Hazards and disasters in urban areas. Policy, planning and strategies for mitigating and reducing risks of urban disasters. Climate change adaptation in urban areas.

DMG 618: Built Environment in Disaster-Prone Areas - 3 Credits
Impacts of natural hazards on built environment. Reconstruction and strategies for ‘build back better’ and ‘building-for-safety’. Retrofitting existing infrastructures. Disaster shelters. Emergency housing. Building codes. Climate change adaptation in the built environment.

DMG 619: Disasters and Disaster Management Practices in Bangladesh - 3 Credits
Types of natural hazards: flood, cyclone, drought, earthquake, river erosion, land slide, tornado, tsunami, arsenic, salinity. History of disasters in Bangladesh. Evolution of disaster management practices and disaster risk reduction strategies. Institutions. Community level resilience. Sharing risk profile and portfolio with relevant stakeholders and institutes. Field visit and study.

DMG 620: Special Studies - 3 Credits
Special issues on contemporary and future disaster risks, resilience, sustainability and ground realities.

DMG 621: Public Policy Analysis - 3 Credits
Meaning, nature, scope, its various models, implementation, and analysis of public policy. Public policy development process. Public issues, problems and needs regarding disaster risk reduction. The Growth of Policy and the Policy of Growth. Morality and Policy: The Regulation of Behavior.

DMG 622: Data Management and Forecasting - 3 Credits
Development of early warning system. Principles and techniques of data management for forecasting various hazards and disasters. Forecasting climatic, geological and technological disasters. Tools and key areas in comprehensive data management.

DMG 623: Disaster Risk, Resilience and Vulnerability Assessment - 3 Credits
Concepts of resilience and community resilience. Methods of resilience assessment. Community capacities and capacity analysis. Resource mapping. Key elements of effective risk analysis and management. Strategic management and vulnerability analysis. Mitigating and reducing risk exposure. Decision-making and vulnerability analysis.

DMG 624: Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law - 3 Credits
Introduction to international humanitarian law. Historical origin and the development of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law. Conduct of hostilities. Methods and principles of protection of persons. International and regional treaties and customs. Emergence of Hague and Geneva conventions, marten’s clause, common article gender 3.

DMG 625: Conflict, Negotiation and Mediation - 3 Credits
Causes and impacts of conflict. Principles and methods of negotiation. Modes of Conflict Management. Mediation essentials. Mediation in practice. Functions of the Mediator. Policies and Procedures in Preventing or Resolving Disputes, Advocacy and other alternatives

DMG 626: Anti-terrorism Awareness and Strategies - 3 Credits
Risks, threats and types of international terrorism. Concepts of radicalism. Principles, policy and strategies of counterradicalism and de-radicalism. Terrorist ideologies, aims, beliefs & motivations. International Policing Policy. Terrorism & human rights.

DMG 627: Gender and Disaster Risk Reduction - 3 Credits
Gender and Sex. Power. Gender and community based DRR. Mainstreaming gender in DRR strategies, Integration of gender perspective in DRR legislations, Policies and programs for meeting the targets of SDG, Increased understanding of gender concerns for developing resilience building and adaptation strategies and mechanisms with special reference to Bangladesh. Gender analysis in natural and human-induced disaster context. Gender-based violence in disaster context. Development of Gender impact analysis. Gendered analysis of resilience and vulnerability. Gender responsive preparedness, response, recovery and reconstruction.

DMG 628: Field Visit and Study - 3 Credits
Visiting a site (either in Bangladesh or in any foreign country) for evaluating or investigating the scope of DRR and/or Climate Change Adaptation. Conducting qualitative and/or quantitative study. Report/ Research paper writing.

Course Details

DMG 511: Fundamentals of Disaster Risk Management
Risk, hazard and disaster. Science of various types of natural and human-induced hazards. Principles of disaster risk management. Resilience and vulnerability. Disaster risk reduction (DRR) in the context of risk response and risk transfer, DRR in the context of recovery. Multi-hazard risk management. Field visit and study.

Course Objectives

Understanding of various types of natural and human-induced hazards and their potential for causing disasters and general principles of disaster risk reduction and mitigation.

What you’ll learn

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to

Understand theories of risk, hazard, disaster and Disaster risk reduction (DRR)

Understand the science of various types of natural and human-induced hazards
Demonstrate the capacity to follow the principles of disaster risk management.
Assess resilience and vulnerability.
Acquire skills in multi-hazard risk management.

Teaching Activities
Theory Classes
Field Visit
Case Study
Documentary screening
Assessment
Assignments
Written Exam
Case study report preparation and presentation
Field visit report preparation and presentation

DMG 512: Disaster Preparedness, Response and Recovery Strategies
Strategies for strengthening DRR. Disaster preparedness planning. Vulnerability management planning. Emergency preparedness and evacuation planning. Development of early warning system, Risk insurance. DRR in the context of short-term and long-term recovery. Rehabilitation of victims and reconstruction of damaged infrastructures applying the principle of ‘build back better’. Providing emergency services including medical team with physiotherapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and counselors. Post-disaster trauma management. Gender responsive approaches. Local, national, regional, and international drivers. Coordination among local, national, regional, and international activities. National and international supports. Mobilization of aids and grants.

Course Objectives
Demonstrate skills to prepare strategies for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
What you’ll learn
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
Understand theories and processes of planning for disaster preparedness, vulnerability reduction, emergency preparedness, evacuation, disaster response, recovery, rehabilitation and post-disaster trauma management
Investigate the practices of ‘build back better’
Acquire skills for working with physiotherapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and counselors.
Acquire skills for analyzing local, national, regional, and international coordination processes for mobilization aids and grants.

DMG 513: Tools and Techniques in Disaster Risk Management
Geographic information system (GIS) for disaster risk reduction. Constituents of vector and raster models. Utilization of spatial information for decision-making. Remote Sensing Techniques. Geo- and hydro-informatics. MIS. Social and environmental impact assessment. Damage and disaster risk assessment.
Course Objectives
Develop skills in using various tools and techniques commonly applied in disaster risk management and using those for decision-making.
What you’ll learn
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
Demonstrate skills for analyzing data for making the decisions
Predict the future scenario
Manage data for reducing disaster risks and effective disaster response, recovery and rehabilitation

Teaching Activities
Theory Classes
Data collection
Data analysis
Assessment
Data processing
Output preparation
Modeling
Preparing plans

DMG 514: Research and Analytical Methods
Research typologies, Basic statistical and sampling techniques, Survey techniques, Qualitative and quantitative research, Qualitative methods: CRA, PRA, KII, Case study, Interview, Narratives, Content analysis and others. Software for qualitative and quantitative data analysis. Literature Review. Field visit and survey. Dissertation writing.
Course Objectives
Develop research skills that can be applied in subsequent practice, independent study projects and dissertation writing
What you’ll learn
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
Understand quantitative and qualitative research methods
Develop research skills for data collection and analysis
Demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research
Demonstrate the ability to write research proposals, dissertations, and academic research papers.

Teaching Activities
Theory Classes
Data collection and analysis
Literature review
Assessment
Data processing
Output preparation
Modeling
Assignments
Written Exam
Research proposal preparation and presentation
Academic paper preparation and presentation

DMG 611: Disaster Risk Reduction and Sustainable Development
Sustainable development and livelihood. Linkages between disasters and development. Disaster-Development continuum. Integrating risk reduction perspective in disaster risk management stages, Mainstreaming disaster risk reduction. Strategies of mainstreaming disaster risk reduction. Development policy and planning for disaster management, Mainstreaming DRR in all development activities, Maintenance of public infrastructure.
Course Objectives
Demonstrate skills in identifying linkages between disasters and development and developing disaster risk reduction as a cross-cutting element.
What you’ll learn
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
Understand theories, principles, and practices of D Disaster Risk Reduction and Sustainable Development
Demonstrate the ability to access and evaluate sustainability
Plan for DRR and sustainable development

Teaching Activities
Theory Classes
Case study
Field Visit
Documentary screening
Assessment
Assignments
Written Exam
Case study report preparation and presentation
Field visit report preparation and presentation

DMG 612: Community Based Approaches to Disaster Risk Management
Community vulnerability management plan. Community risk assessment. Community based disaster management. Household risk mapping. Community based adaptation. Indigenous knowledge for reducing disaster risks. Facilitating self-help initiatives. Sustaining long-term community-based disaster risk management. Gender responsive approaches.

Course Objectives
Enable to facilitate communities to develop disaster preparedness and recovery plans.
What you’ll learn
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
Understand theories, principles, and practices of community based disaster management, community based adaptation and gender responsive approaches.
Demonstrate the ability to map community capacity, vulnerability and resilience.
Recognize and promote indigenous knowledge and local practices
Plan for community based adaptation

DMG 613: Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
Global phenomenon of climate change and its local and regional impacts in the form of increased frequency, intensity, and magnitude of disasters. Policies, strategies, and mitigation measures for reducing climate change impacts. Community adaptation strategies. International protocols and treaties. Impacts of climate change in Bangladesh.
Course Objectives
Develop awareness of global climate change with corresponding local adaptation and mitigation measures to reduce its impacts.
What you’ll learn
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
Understand theories, principles, and practices of climate change adaptation and mitigation
Understand international protocols and treaties
Demonstrate the ability to plan for adaptation strategies
Teaching Activities
Theory Classes
Case study
Field Visit
Documentary screening
Assessment
Assignments
Written Exam
Case study report preparation and presentation
Field visit report preparation and presentation

DMG 614: Organizational and Policy Context of Disaster Risk Management
Multisectoral approach for DRR. Roles of government/NGO/international funding agencies/private sectors/armed-forces (may be taught in ‘case-study’ format) in disaster risk reduction. Cluster approach and interagency coordination. Humanitarian accountability practices. Code of conduct. Standing Orders. Policy formulation. Program and project implementation.

Course Objectives
Explore roles of different actors such as the government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international funding agencies involved in disaster risk management and Demonstrate skills of developing organizational framework for defining policy and practice in this field.
What you’ll learn
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
Understand theories, principles, and practices of multisectoral approach for DRR, cluster approach and interagency coordination.
Investigate roles of different actors such as the government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international funding agencies involved in disaster risk management.
Demonstrate skills of developing organizational framework for defining policy and practice in this field.

DMG 615: Emergency Response and Humanitarian Assistance
Emergency conditions and humanitarian crisis. Humanitarian response. Mass atrocities. Principles and standards of humanitarian assistance. Refuge, stateless person, and displaced person. Forced migration. Humanitarian intervention. Tools and techniques of need assessment. Emergency response planning: human resources, storage of relief goods, selection of beneficiaries, distribution of relief goods, accountability, and quality.
Course Objectives
Develop skills for preparing effective response and assistance mechanism for emergency and humanitarian crisis conditions. Equip students with understanding the needs of the affected population on the basis of their socio-economic condition, nature of crisis and available resources
What you’ll learn
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
understand consequences of mass atrocities
practice 'the right to intervene' and 'the responsibility to protect'.
deal with conditions before, during and after the crisis.
Understand various national and international legal, political and constitutional issues, related to humaniterian interventions.

DMG 616: Disaster Communication, Media, and Journalism
Communication and dissemination techniques. Principles of Disaster Journalism, Public awareness campaigns. Training and education programs for mass people. Roles of media, internet, and telecommunications. Roles of social media. Roles of unmanned aerial vehicles for disaster risk reduction.
Course Objectives
Understanding of different methods for communicating disaster risk and preparedness measures and building public awareness. Demonstrate skills to develop disaster risk and vulnerability reduction training and public awareness programs and/or to contribute to such programs
What you’ll learn
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
Understand different methods for communicating disaster risk and preparedness measures and building public awareness
Demonstrate skills to develop disaster risk and vulnerability reduction training and public awareness programs and/or to contribute to such programs
Teaching Activities
Theory Classes
Case study
Field Visit
Documentary screening
Assessment
Assignments
Written Exam
Case study report preparation and presentation
Field visit report preparation and presentation

DMG 617: Urbanization and Disasters
Impacts of rapid urbanization. Urban bias in development. Principles of urban planning. Urban services and infrastructure. Interagency coordination. Hazards and disasters in urban areas. Policy, planning and strategies for mitigating and reducing risks of urban disasters. Climate change adaptation in urban areas.
Course Objectives
Develop an understanding of the link between uncontrolled urban growth and its potential for resulting disasters. Demonstrate skills in preparing policies, plans, and strategies for managing such disasters.
What you’ll learn
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
Understand the link between uncontrolled urban growth and its potential for resulting disasters.
Demonstrate skills of preparing policies, plans and strategies for managing such urban disasters.
Plan for urban resilience building
Teaching Activities
Theory Classes
Case study
Field Visit
Documentary screening
Assessment
Assignments
Written Exam
Case study report preparation and presentation
Field visit report preparation and presentation

DMG 618: Built Environment in Disaster-Prone Areas
Impacts of natural hazards on built environment. Reconstruction and strategies for ‘build back better’ and ‘building-for-safety’. Retrofitting existing infrastructures. Disaster shelters. Emergency housing. Building codes. Climate change adaptation in the built environment.
Course Objectives
Explore methods of building safer buildings in disaster-prone areas, construction of disaster shelters and provision of post-disaster emergency housing. Develop awareness of the key aspects of building design and construction that can contribute to creation of resilient habitats before, during and after disasters.
What you’ll learn
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
Understand theories, principles and practices of building safer buildings in disaster-prone areas
Design disaster shelters and post-disaster emergency housing.
Contribute for designing and constructing resilient habitats before, during and after disasters.
Teaching Activities
Theory Classes
Case study
Field Visit
Documentary screening
Design exercise
Assessment
Assignments
Written Exam
Case study report preparation and presentation
Field visit report preparation and presentation
Design presentation

DMG 619: Disasters and Disaster Management Practices in Bangladesh
Types of natural hazards: flood, cyclone, drought, earthquake, river erosion, land slide, tornado, tsunami, arsenic, salinity. History of disasters in Bangladesh. Evolution of disaster management practices and disaster risk reduction strategies. Institutions. Community level resilience. Sharing risk profile and portfolio with relevant stakeholders and institutes. Field visit and study.
Course Objectives
Familiarize students with different types of disasters that the country faces and the disaster management options practiced in the country.
What you’ll learn
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
Understand types of natural hazards, history of disasters in Bangladesh, evolution of disaster management practices.
Investigate disaster management practices in Bangladesh
Propose better policies, strategies and practice approaches.
Teaching Activities
Theory Classes
Case study
Field Visit
Documentary screening
Assessment
Assignments
Written Exam
Case study report preparation and presentation
Field visit report preparation and presentation
Policy analysis

DMG 620: Special Studies
Special issues on contemporary and future disaster risks, resilience, sustainability and ground realities.
Course Objectives
Understanding of special issues
What you’ll learn
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
Understanding of special issues
Apply the special knowledge in respective fields

DMG 621: Public Policy Analysis
Meaning, nature, scope, its various models, implementation, and analysis of public policy. Public policy development process. Public issues, problems and needs regarding disaster risk reduction. The Growth of Policy and the Policy of Growth. Morality and Policy: The Regulation of Behavior.
Course Objectives
Understanding issues and methods of public policy analysis. Ability to use practical methods for analyzing public policy issues.
What you’ll learn
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
Understand theories and practices of public policy analysis
Use practical methods for analyzing public policy issues
Propose and formulate public policies
Teaching Activities
Theory Classes
Case study
Policy review
Assessment
Assignments
Written Exam
Review report preparation and presentation
Policy document preparation and presentation

DMG 622: Data Management and Forecasting
Development of early warning system. Principles and techniques of data management for forecasting various hazards and disasters. Forecasting climatic, geological and technological disasters. Tools and key areas in comprehensive data management.
Course Objectives
Enable to forecast climatic, geological and technological disasters.
What you’ll learn
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
Apply advance tools and technologies for collecting data and analyzing those
Forecast climatic, geological and technological disasters.
Make decisions based on processed data and models.
Teaching Activities
Theory Classes
Field Data collection and processing
Data digitization
Digital data collecting, processing and analysis
Assessment
Assignments
Written Exam
Data based result presentation

DMG 623: Disaster Risk, Resilience and Vulnerability Assessment
Concepts of resilience and community resilience. Methods of resilience assessment. Community capacities and capacity analysis. Resource mapping. Key elements of effective risk analysis and management. Strategic management and vulnerability analysis. Mitigating and reducing risk exposure. Decision-making and vulnerability analysis.
Course Objectives
Demonstrate ability to assess resilience and vulnerabilities.
What you’ll learn
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
Understand and analyze the concepts of resilience and community resilience and vulnerability
Apply assessment techniques and methods.
Demonstrate the capacity to make decision based on assessment reports.
Teaching Activities
Theory Classes
Field Study
Case study
Data collection and analysis
Assessment
Assignments
Written Exam
Data based result presentation
Field study report preparation and presentation
Case study report preparation and presentation

DMG 624: Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law
Introduction to international humanitarian law. Historical origin and the development of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law. Conduct of hostilities. Methods and principles of protection of persons. International and regional treaties and customs. Emergence of Hague and Geneva conventions, marten’s clause, common article gender 3.
Course Objectives
Dissemination of international humanitarian law and implementation of protecting human and human rights. Understanding of enforcement mechanisms.
What you’ll learn
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
Understand the dissemination of international humanitarian law and implementation of protecting human and human rights.
Enforce humanitarian law
Evaluate existing laws
Teaching Activities
Theory Classes
Field Study
Case study
Assessment
Assignments
Written Exam
Field study report preparation and presentation
Case study report preparation and presentation

DMG 625: Conflict, Negotiation and Mediation
Causes and impacts of conflict. Principles and methods of negotiation. Modes of Conflict Management. Mediation essentials. Mediation in practice. Functions of the Mediator. Policies and Procedures in Preventing or Resolving Disputes, Advocacy and other alternatives
Course Objectives
Explain the nature and sources of conflicts and features of resolution methods including mediation, negotiation, advocacy and other alternatives. Develop the strategy formulation, planning and research skills required for mediation, negotiation and advocacy.
What you’ll learn
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
Understand and evaluate the nature and sources of conflicts and features of resolution methods including mediation, negotiation, advocacy and other alternatives.
Apply resolution methods including mediation, negotiation, advocacy and other alternatives.
Demonstrate skills required for mediation, negotiation and advocacy.

Teaching Activities
Theory Classes
Mediation meeting
Field Study
Case study
Assessment
Assignments
Written Exam
Field study report preparation and presentation
Case study report preparation and presentation

DMG 626: Anti-terrorism Awareness and Strategies
Risks, threats and types of international terrorism. Concepts of radicalism. Principles, policy and strategies of counterradicalism and de-radicalism. Terrorist ideologies, aims, beliefs & motivations. International Policing Policy. Terrorism & human rights.
Course Objectives
Enable to be aware of terrorism and to prepare plan, policy and strategies for counterterrorism.
What you’ll learn
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
Understand the nature of terrorist activities and risks, threats and types of international terrorism
Understand the process and practices of counterradicalism and de-radicalism.
Deal the challenges of terrorist activities
Apply suitable strategies for counter-terrorism and de-radicalism.
Teaching Activities
Theory Classes
Mediation meeting
Field Study
Case study
Documentary screening
Assessment
Assignments
Written Exam
Field study report preparation and presentation
Case study report preparation and presentation

DMG 627: Gender and Disaster Risk Reduction
Gender and Sex. Power. Gender and community based DRR. Mainstreaming gender in DRR strategies, Integration of gender perspective in DRR legislations, Policies and programs for meeting the targets of SDG, Increased understanding of gender concerns for developing resilience building and adaptation strategies and mechanisms with special reference to Bangladesh. Gender analysis in natural and human-induced disaster context. Gender-based violence in disaster context. Development of Gender impact analysis. Gendered analysis of resilience and vulnerability. Gender responsive preparedness, response, recovery and reconstruction.
Course Objectives
Demonstrate ability to apply gender-responsive disaster risk-reduction strategies
What you’ll learn
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
Understand the need of mainstreaming gender in DRR strategies and integration of gender perspective in DRR legislations,
Develop gender-responsive disaster risk-reduction strategies
Response to gender-based violence in disaster context
Develop gender-sensitive environment for disaster response, recovery and rehabilitation process.
Teaching Activities
Theory Classes
Mediation meeting
Field Study
Case study
Documentary screening
Assessment
Assignments
Written Exam
Field study report preparation and presentation
Case study report preparation and presentation

DMG 628: Field Visit and Study
Visiting a site (either in Bangladesh or in any foreign country) for evaluating or investigating the scope of DRR and/or Climate Change Adaptation. Conducting qualitative and/or quantitative study. Report/ Research paper writing.
Course Objectives
Demonstrate ability to conduct field study following the appropriate scientific method and to prepare reports or research papers.
What you’ll learn
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
Conduct independent or group field study
follow appropriate scientific method for conducting the study
collect data and analyses data
Prepare report or research paper.
Teaching Activities
Field Study
Data Collection and Analysis
Documentary screening
Assessment
Field study report/ Paper preparation and presentation

Facilities and Support

Dedicated Studios
The Department offers dedicated studio spaces for each design studio, for every semester. Students can avail their personalized studio spaces for studio projects beyond class hours and workdays. An atmosphere of continuous design development is therefore nurtured by the lively atmosphere of these (almost) never closing studios.

Computer Lab
Dedicated Computer Labs for the students of the School of Architecture and Design (SoAD) ensure adequate work stations to facilitate all courses related to computer aided drawing, graphic communications and visualization. Equipped with relevant software’s and virtually unlimited printing facilities, these labs remain available for students to use beyond class hours as well.

Fab Lab
A state of the art Fabrication Laboratory stands ready to actualize any vision that students may wish to bring to reality. Equipped with computer controlled laser cutter, 3D printer, 3D scanner and a 5 axis CNC Router, the fab lab facility is a pioneering facility in architectural education in Bangladesh.

Muzharul Islam Gallery
A dedicated multipurpose space, the Muzharul Islam Gallery provides students with open spaces for Jury sessions, exhibitions and public lectures or simply a gathering space for music, board games and conversations. The gallery is named after Architect Muzharul Islam, the pioneer of Modernism in Bangladesh.

Ayesha Abed Library
The Ayesha Abed Library offers students the vast volume of knowledge held within its facilities, both physical and digital. Access to books, publications and online resources is available to every student. A dedicated library at the Department of Architecture also exists with a more streamlined collection focused around the built environment.

Club Activities
Students have unique opportunities to complement their studies with engagement in a wide variety of clubs that BRAC University offers. These range from creative endeavors such as the Cultural Club, the Art and Photography Society, to the Adventure Club and BRAC Monon. All clubs further enrich the development of students into responsive, proactive and empathetic individuals with their wide range of activities.

BRAC University Counseling Unit
BRAC University houses a team of highly skilled professionals who remain constantly engaged with students across the University. With extreme care and complete anonymity of students, the Counseling Unit has played a key role in the mental health of the University.

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