Question 1
From January 1 to September 28, 2020 there were 44,520 wildfires compared with 39,476 wildfires in the same period in 2019, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. About 7.5 million acres were burned in the 2020 period, compared with 4.4 million acres in 2019.
On September 28, a state of emergency was declared in California in response to the wildfires that are burning through Napa, Sonoma and Shasta Counties. At least three people have lost their lives, and tens of thousands have been forced to evacuate. The rapidly moving Zogg Fire near Redding could converge with the August Complex Fire, which is already the largest wildfire in the history of California
(Source: https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-wildfires). —
The California wildfires, like the Smong story that you read about in the reading on disaster risk communication, can be used as a trigger for and the basis of policies and programs of disaster risk reduction.
Using a disaster risk communication framework based on Lasswell’s communication model theory (specifically, the five (5) questions that serve as the basis of the theory), describe in a short essay of 350-350 words how communication could have been used before, during and after the wildfires to reduce the risk and improve preparedness. The Image 1 below is related to Lasswell’s model to refresh your memory. In addition, perform some background research (internet, social media, library or other) on Lasswell’s model, the Smong story and/or the California wildfires. In your answer, in order to show your understanding of and your reflection on this assignment and the concepts which are related to it, make at least four (4) specific references to slide content and the additional sources that you consulted online or in books, and cite these references in your work. Remember that it is your responsibility to show your understanding of the content and the ability to apply the understanding to a real-life context. It is also your responsibility to show that you have done good research and absorbed relevant and important details, and that you can communicate that information successfully in writing.
Question 2
In criminology, securitisation processes sometimes help and sometimes clash with the work of criminologists. The former was explained through the application of risk assessment in prisons and the latter through the implementation of health and safety regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Your assignment now is to find another possible scenario of securitisation NOT discussed in class that is related to safety and security in our university.
You will need to do the following:
- a) identify one example of a securitisation process/practice related to safety and security at a university/college.
- b) mention a possible positive consequence of the process/practice, and explain why it is positive, keeping in mind the safety and security context;
- c) mention a possible negative consequence of the same process/practice, and explain why it is negative, still keeping in mind the safety and security context; and
- d) explain, in your opinion, if your process/practice involves or is related to safety or security, with details to support your answer.
Your answer should be between 250 and 400 words. Besides reflecting on the class lecture and slides, perform some background research (internet, social media, library or other) on definitions of safety and security, and also of securitisation. In your answer, in order to show your understanding of and your reflection on this assignment and the concepts which are related to it, make at least four (4) specific references to slide content and the additional sources that you consulted, and cite these references in your work. Remember that it is your responsibility to show your understanding of the content and the ability to apply the understanding to a real-life context. It is also your responsibility to show that you have done good research and absorbed relevant and important details, and that you can communicate that information successfully in writing.