Hurricane Ike

Disaster Case Study

There is one required paper in this course. It will be evaluated in terms of organization, clarity of presentation (including spelling and grammar), and thoroughness. Each student is required to identify a disaster of interest (no active-shooter events), conduct online research about the event (do not cite Wikipedia as a source), write a short case study, and discuss the case in class. The report (which should be between three and five typed, double-spaced pages) must answer the following questions: (1) What was the event, when and where did it occur, and what were its major impacts? (2) How prepared was the community for the event? (3) What agencies or organizations were involved in responding to the event, and what are some of the challenges they faced? (4) What actions has the community taken to better prepare itself for future disasters? A rubric and explanation of the assignment will be released on blackboard on March 1. You must send me an email telling me which event you have chose by April 3. The case studies are due in class at the beginning of the class period (you can only submit over email if you have previously discussed it with me and have a legitimate excuse) April 24. You will also be required to submit your paper to “turn it in” on blackboard prior to the start of class on April 24. Each student will give a presentation on their paper on April 24, April 26, May 1, or May 3.

The following disasters cannot be used as a topic for your case studies:

Hurricane Katrina	Indian Ocean Tsunami
Hurricane Matthew	West Texas Fertilizer Explosion
9/11	Oklahoma City Bombing
Moore Tornado	Haiti Earthquake
2011 Japan Earthquake & Tsunami	Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, or Maria
Hurricane/Superstorm Sandy	Boston Marathon Bombing

Your paper must following the following parameters:

· 12- point font (Arial or Times New Roman)

· 1 inch margins

· You need at least 4 sources cited in your paper

· APA citation style

· Use in-text citations and a bibliography at the end of your paper (bibliography is not included in your overall page limit)

· Purdue Owl is a good resource for APA citation style

This is an academic paper. While you are certainly allowed to include some first-hand knowledge if you experienced the event, make sure that you are citing sources when you answer the questions for the assignment.

The assignment rubric is on the following 2 pages.

	Levels of Achievement
Criteria	Unacceptable - F	Below Standard - C	Meets Standard - B	Exceeds Standard - A
Clear Identification and Description of the event 15 pts	Demonstrates little familiarity with the event. Minimally identifies the impacts of the event.	Demonstrates basic knowledge of the event, impacts of the event.	Clearly identifies the event. Identifies impacts of the event.	Demonstrates extensive knowledge of the event and its impacts.
Clearly explain the preparedness in the community prior to the event 20 pts	Does not answer this question sufficiently.	Identifies but not clearly explain.	Identifies and clearly explains.	Demonstrates extensive knowledge.
Clearly explain involvement and challenges faced by agencies/organizations 20 pts	Does not answer this question sufficiently.	Identifies but not clearly explain.	Identifies and clearly explains.	Demonstrates extensive knowledge.
Clearly identifies community actions to prepare for future events 20 pts	Does not answer this question sufficiently.	Identifies but not clearly explain.	Identifies and clearly explains.	Demonstrates extensive knowledge.
Clarity of Presentation (including spelling and grammar) 10 pts	Rarely uses proper sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, citation style, and spelling.	Some correct use of, but also problems in: sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, citation style, and spelling.	Sentence structure and grammar, generally strong, with only occasional lapses in punctuation, citation style, and spelling.	Sentence structure and grammar excellent; correct use of punctuation and citation style, no spelling errors.
Organization 10 pts	Essay is not organized and/or does not meet the page limits.	Essay has some structure, either exceeds page maximum or does not meet page minimum.	Essay is well structured but there are occasional issues with how the topics are organized, easy to follow. Is within the page minimum and maximum.	Essay structure is exceptional. The essay is well organized within the page limits.

Participation in the discussion is 5 points