2025 (Current Year) Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Humanities and social science courses
Disaster Prevention and Media Communication
- Academic unit or major
- Humanities and social science courses
- Instructor(s)
- Hiroyuki Fukuda
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAH.A537
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2025
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 19, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This lecture focuses on media communication of disaster information, particularly regarding meteorological disasters. Students will understand the foundation and characteristics of meteorological disaster prevention information and current challenges based on the latest discussions while analyzing disaster prevention information through mass communication theory and media studies.
This lecture aims to develop a deeper understanding of media communication in disaster prevention information, gaining fundamental knowledge about media influence and its limitations, the relationship between scientists and media, and communication that promotes "safety." We will examine the role of information during disasters, media characteristics, risk communication, and effective methods of disseminating disaster prevention information through specific case studies.
Course description and aims
(1) Gain an understanding of the current status and challenges of disaster prevention information in Japan, and be able to comprehend key issues.
(2) Develop the ability to interpret disaster prevention information from the perspective of media communication theory.
(3) Critically examine disaster prevention information and media content, and engage in discussions on how to construct communication aimed at promoting "safety" from the perspectives of both senders and receivers.
Student learning outcomes
実務経験と講義内容との関連 (又は実践的教育内容)
Engaged in weather forecaster at NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation), focusing on the latest meteorological disaster prevention, disaster information, and media communication.
Keywords
Disaster prevention, Evacuation, Meteorology, Mass media, Communication
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Lectures using handouts and slides. Small group discussions related to lecture content may be conducted. Following the fourth session, students are required to submit concise reports summarizing what they have learned up to that point.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Overview and Introduction of the Lecture | Understanding the academic fields, subjects, and objectives related to disaster information and media, and learning basic concepts of disaster information and media communication. |
| Class 2 | Meteorological Disaster Prevention Information in Japan | Understanding the foundation and current status of Japan's meteorological disaster prevention information and discussing future challenges |
| Class 3 | Disaster Information and Media Role | Understanding media that convey disaster and evacuation information, and learning about necessary content and expressions for disaster information |
| Class 4 | Evacuation Theory and Resident Behavior | Understanding evacuation behavior theories and practical challenges in resident evacuation |
| Class 5 | How to Communicate Disaster and Evacuation Information | Learning about systems, content, and expression challenges and countermeasures for conveying disaster information |
| Class 6 | Disasters and Media: Case Studies 1 | Examining effective risk message design and disaster information system construction based on media characteristics, using specific cases |
| Class 7 | Disasters and Media: Case Studies 2 | Examining effective evacuation and challenges during disasters from the receiver's perspective, using specific cases |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to course material.
Textbook(s)
None required.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Course materials are provided during class.
Reference book
Isao Nakamura (2021) “Disaster Information and Evacuaton" Koyoshobo (Japanese)
Evaluation methods and criteria
Students’ course scores are based on midterm short reports(40%) and final report (60%)
Related courses
- Not applicable.
Prerequisites
No prerequisites.
Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).
fkd.hook[at]gmail.com
Office hours
Contact by e-mail in advance to schedule an appointment.
Other
This course is 500-level course.
Science Tokyo (science and engineering fields) provides a wedge-shaped style education that allows students to continuously take liberal arts courses from a Bachelor’s Program to a Doctoral Program. Students are recommended to take liberal arts courses in ascending order of course level. In the semester right after enrollment in the Master’s Degree Program – i.e., 1Q and 2Q for students who enroll in spring, and 3Q or 4Q for students who enroll in fall – students may register only in 400-level Humanities and Social Science Courses.
Students may take 500-level Humanities and Social Science Courses after studying at least six months after enrollment, i.e., in 3Q and 4Q for students who enroll in spring, and in 1Q and 2Q of the following year for students who enroll in fall.