POL 365 Disaster Policy and Administration
Course Paper
Due November 29
Distress from Hurricane Katrina in 2005 has resulted in a diversity of outcomes affecting people and
processes. Some of these outcomes were discussed in a collection of articles published in the prestigious
journal ANNALS of the American Academy of Political Science and Sociology in 2006. Here is the listing of
article titles and authors published:
The Political Costs of Failure in the Katrina and Rita Disasters
Waugh, William L., Jr. pp. 10-25
President Bush and Hurricane Katrina: A Presidential Leadership Study
Sylves, Richard T. pp. 26-56
Metaphors Matter: Disaster Myths, Media Frames, and Their Consequences in Hurricane Katrina
Tierney, Kathleen; Bevc, Christine; Kuligowski, Erica pp. 57-81
Rising to the Challenges of a Catastrophe: The Emergent and Prosocial Behavior following Hurricane Katrina
Rodríguez, Havidán; Trainor, Joseph; Quarantelli, Enrico L. pp. 82-101
Moral Hazard, Social Catastrophe: The Changing Face of Vulnerability along the Hurricane Coasts
Cutter, Susan L.; Emrich, Christopher T. pp. 102-112
Hurricane Katrina and the Flooding of New Orleans: Emergent Issues in Sheltering and Temporary Housing
Nigg, Joanne M.; Barnshaw, John; Torres, Manuel R. pp. 113-128
Weathering the Storm: The Impact of Hurricanes on Physical and Mental Health
Bourque, Linda B.; Siegel, Judith M.; Kano, Megumi; Wood, Michele M. pp. 129-151
Challenges in Implementing Disaster Mental Health Programs: State Program Directors’ Perspectives
Elrod, Carrie L.; Hamblen, Jessica L.; Norris, Fran H. pp. 152-170
Hurricane Katrina and the Paradoxes of Government Disaster Policy: Bringing About Wise Governmental Decisions for
Hazardous Areas
Burby, Raymond J. pp. 171-191
Planning for Postdisaster Resiliency
Berke, Philip R.; Campanella, Thomas J. pp. 192-207
Disaster Mitigation and Insurance: Learning from Katrina
Kunreuther, Howard pp. 208-227
The .pdf’s of each of these articles have been sent to you via e-mail.
In this paper, you will compare a particular problem encountered in Katrina—as described in one of
the articles listed above—with a similar problem associated with another disaster that has occurred in
another global setting outside the U.S. Students encouraged to present papers in class.
Here is a recommended structure for the paper:
I. Introduction
II. Discussion of the problem/issue related to Katrina (derived from one or more of the above
articles but stated in your own words with any (brief) quotes documented (see below)/
III. Discussion of situation in other global setting
IV. Analysis/making comparisons; contrasts (important section)
V. Conclusion
Grading criteria: (each=20 pts.)
VI. Bibliography
--suitability of comparison/
strength of analysis
Expected Length: 4,000-5,000 words
--format/organization/writing
Format:
--demonstrated effort
--organized (or subdivided) by appropriate subheadings
--double-spaced, paragraphs indented
--all quotes documented (auhor’s name, year of publication, page number(s)) in parentheses—example
(Waugh 2006, 406)—with citation in bibliography
--title
Adhere to the Standards of Conduct as outlined in the Academic Honor Code: Do not misrepresent your
work!