Overview
Having a handle on the law is crucial when preparing for disasters and reducing the risk of harmful impacts for communities and organisations.
Join us online to equip yourself with an understanding of how disaster and law intersect around the globe, with a specific focus on disaster law in Aotearoa New Zealand. You'll explore the role of law and its interaction with disaster management, and how to use disaster law frameworks for disaster planning and disaster governance.
You'll gain an understanding of the use of emergency powers and human rights in disasters – and the dangers that poor legal frameworks can create for people and communities. This knowledge can be used when working in the field of disaster risk reduction (DRR) and disaster risk management (DRM) as an emergency management professional or volunteer.
Developed by academics from the award-winning University of Canterbury Institute of Law, Emergencies and Disasters (LEAD) this online course provides the legal insight you need to effectively prepare for disaster response and recovery.
This course is ideal for
- Emergency management and volunteer staff working for disaster-management organisations, such as regional and local councils or government agencies
- Policy advisors
- Organisational leaders, planners and facility managers
- Health, safety and wellbeing or risk management professionals
- People with an interest in disaster management and emergency preparedness
What you'll learn
- The concept of law and its interaction with disaster management
- How domestic disaster law frameworks integrate with and are influenced by international disaster law principles and agreements
- The use of emergency powers and human rights in disasters
- How to address particular population requirements through disaster law, particularly Māori, Pacific people and women.
- How to use legal preparedness in disaster planning and disaster governance
Course outline
Our courses are flexible, enabling you to plan your study around your other commitments. You can choose to study when it suits you during the learning period (15 July - 15 September with a one-week study break from 12 - 18 August), followed by a 2-week review period for marking and feedback (16 - 29 September).
We recommend completing around 6 hours of study a week during the learning period (excluding the study break). During these learning weeks, you will work through a range of modules exploring different aspects of disaster management.
Upon successful completion of the course you will be issued a digital badge to recognise your learning achievements. This can take up to 2 months to be delivered after the marking and feedback period.
Requirements
If you're under 20 years old, you’ll need University Entrance or an equivalent to enrol. If you’re aged 20 or older, you can usually gain entry through 20+ admission so long as:
- You are a citizen or hold a NZ Residence Class Visa of New Zealand or Australia, or are a citizen of the Cook Islands, Tokelau, or Niue; and
- Are 20 years of age or older by the official course start date.
You'll also need to be confident listening, reading and writing in English.
Technology requirements
We recommend a laptop or desktop computer and a reliable internet connection. For most courses you'll need to download and complete assignments. These are usually available in Microsoft Word.
Course fees
Course fees must be paid before learning can begin, either via online credit-card payment, or by contacting info@uconline.ac.nz to request an invoice. Please note: fixed invoice payment dates apply, so we recommend getting in touch with us as soon as possible to request an invoice, as this option is subject to availability.
Group discounts
Get your colleagues together to take advantage of our group discounts:
- 10% for 3 - 6 learners
- 15% for 7+ learners
Contact our Partnerships Manager to learn more and enquire now.
Minimum enrolment threshold
Please note: Tuihono UC | UC Online has a minimum enrolment threshold that must be met to enable opportunities for interaction, discussion, and feedback. If the minimum number of enrolments required for a course is not met, enrolled students will be given the option to defer their enrolment to the next course date, or receive a refund.
Our people
Dr John Hopkins
Professor | Director of the University of Canterbury Institute of Law, Emergencies and Disasters (LEAD)