This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the history and evolution of crisis and disaster management. Students will explore the diverse range of hazards—natural, technological, and human-induced—that can precipitate disasters. Blending theoretical frameworks with practical applications, this course equips students to address crises effectively from a missional perspective. Interactive online activities and assessments integrate both academic learning and faith-based practice. Students engage in weekly lectures, readings, and case studies on disasters like Hurricane Katrina, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2023 Maui wildfires. Discussion forums analyze real-world scenarios, while simulations hone decision-making skills. Quizzes test key concepts, and reflection papers connect learning to missional goals. For the final project, students will design a community-based crisis management plan that integrates missional theology, community care, and creation stewardship, presented in a virtual forum with constructive peer feedback.
You will gain both the knowledge and the confidence to lead in times of crisis. By the end of the course, you will be able to assess risks, coordinate resources, and engage communities with compassion and clarity. More than just learning concepts, you will practice decision-making, create plans, and reflect on how God’s mission shapes your leadership.
Crisis and disaster management is a critical field that demands specialized knowledge, skills, and a heart for service. This course introduces students to the techniques, procedures, and organizational frameworks necessary to manage disasters effectively, from preparedness to recovery. Grounded in the missio Dei, this course highlights that disaster response is more than a technical discipline—it is an expression of God’s mission to restore and redeem creation. Students will discover that crisis leadership is not just about logistics, but about embodying Christ’s love, compassion, and hope in the midst of human suffering.
The course integrates biblical principles, viewing disaster response as a ministry of reconciliation and restoration, aligned with the missio Dei. Students explore Scriptures like Isaiah 61:1-4 and Matthew 25:35-40, emphasizing care for the vulnerable and stewardship of creation. Assignments and reflections connect crisis management to God’s call for justice, mercy, and compassionate service.
Disaster management becomes mission when it is understood as participation in God’s redemptive work. This course frames preparedness, response, and recovery as opportunities to bring hope, restore communities, and embody the gospel through acts of service.
This course is contextually informed, embodying Missional University’s core value of engaging diverse cultural and social contexts. The course examines global disaster case studies, such as the 2010 Haiti Earthquake, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2023 Maui wildfires, to understand unique community needs and responses. Students analyze local cultural, economic, and environmental factors through discussions and assignments, ensuring crisis management strategies are relevant and effective. This contextual approach equips students to serve diverse communities with sensitivity and cultural awareness.
This course is interculturally focused, aligning with Missional University’s core value of embracing cultural diversity in mission. The course explores disaster management across global contexts, analyzing case studies like the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, the COVID-19 pandemic, and other recent global crises to understand diverse cultural responses. Through discussions and projects, students develop strategies that respect cultural nuances, fostering inclusive crisis responses. This approach equips students to serve cross-culturally, promoting unity and effective mission in diverse global communities.
This course is practically minded. It reflects Missional University’s core value of actionable mission. The course equips students with hands-on skills through simulations, case study analyses, and a final project that requires students to design community-based crisis plans. By applying the four phases of emergency management—preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery—students learn practical strategies to address real-world disasters. This focus ensures graduates are ready to implement effective, compassionate solutions in their communities.
This course embraces Missional University’s experientially-transformed core value of fostering personal and spiritual growth through experience. Through simulations, students practice crisis decision-making, while reflective assignments connect disaster management to their faith and missional calling. Case studies and a final community-based crisis plan project immerse students in real-world scenarios, transforming their understanding of service and equipping them to lead with compassion and resilience in God’s mission.
