For more information on our course offerings, please go to the York Course Website.
Calendar Year
Term
Course #
Course Title
2026
F
gs/dems 5000A
Directed Reading
A supervised reading course on a topic for which there is no current course offering. Permission of the Graduate Program Director is required.
Instructional Format: DIRD
2026
W
gs/dems 5000M
Directed Reading
A supervised reading course on a topic for which there is no current course offering. Permission of the Graduate Program Director is required.
Instructional Format: DIRD
2027
W
gs/dems 5000M
Directed Reading
A supervised reading course on a topic for which there is no current course offering. Permission of the Graduate Program Director is required.
Instructional Format: DIRD
2026
F
gs/dems 5010A
Advanced Disaster and Emergency Management
Explores the applications of advanced theory, methods and technologies in disaster and emergency management. Disaster and emergency management decision and planning methods and models, decision support systems, information systems and disaster databases, geographic information systems, remote sensing, various disaster and emergency management software and their applications are discussed. This is a required core course for the proposed Master of Arts in Disaster and Emergency Management.
Instructional Format: LECT
2026
F
gs/dems 5020A
Disasters: Concepts and Causes
This course examines natural disasters from an interdisciplinary point of view, particularly considering why there seem to be more natural disasters, and how and why decisions made by people create vulnerable communities.
Instructional Format: LECT
2027
W
gs/dems 5030M
Social and Behavioral Dimensions of Disasters
Examines social and behavioural dimensions of human interactions before, during and after emergencies and disasters, including behavioural myths and realities; linkages between individuals, families, groups, organizations, community social systems, and various levels of government; social vulnerability and the disproportionate impact of disasters upon various societal groups, etc. This is a required core course for the proposed Master of Arts in Disaster and Emergency Management.
Instructional Format: BLEN
2026
W
gs/dems 5030M
Social and Behavioral Dimensions of Disasters
Examines social and behavioural dimensions of human interactions before, during and after emergencies and disasters, including behavioural myths and realities; linkages between individuals, families, groups, organizations, community social systems, and various levels of government; social vulnerability and the disproportionate impact of disasters upon various societal groups, etc. This is a required core course for the proposed Master of Arts in Disaster and Emergency Management.
Instructional Format: BLEN
Instructor(s): J. Spinney
2026
W
gs/dems 5051M
Research Design and Qualitative Research Methods
Provides students with an introduction to philosophical bases of research design as well as a practical introduction to qualitative methods. Students will gain an understanding of the paradigmatic foundations of research, how to design and evaluate qualitative research and experiment with a range of qualitative methods (i.e., interview, focus groups, observation, archival analysis).
Instructional Format: LECT
Instructor(s): K. Thomson
2027
W
gs/dems 5051M
Research Design and Qualitative Research Methods
Provides students with an introduction to philosophical bases of research design as well as a practical introduction to qualitative methods. Students will gain an understanding of the paradigmatic foundations of research, how to design and evaluate qualitative research and experiment with a range of qualitative methods (i.e., interview, focus groups, observation, archival analysis).
Instructional Format: LECT
2026
F
gs/dems 5052A
Research Design and Quantitative Methods
Students are provided with a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of various quantitative research methods and their applications in disaster and emergency management. Using statistical methods, students will learn to analyze data and formulate hypotheses and conceptual relationships.
Instructional Format: LECT
2026
W
gs/dems 5053M
Topics in Business Continuity
Business continuity or disaster recovery is about disaster and emergency management at businesses. This course focuses on selected business continuity (disaster recovery) planning and management topics and case studies in private and non-private businesses. Student will discuss different theoretical, methodological, technical and practical aspects of business continuity (disaster recovery) and review several business continuity (disaster recovery) planning and management cases. The topics, strategically sequenced to build context, introduce students to the most significant and relevant areas in business continuity (disaster recovery) planning and management today.
Instructional Format: LECT
Instructor(s): J. Rozdilsky
2027
W
gs/dems 5053M
Topics in Business Continuity
Business continuity or disaster recovery is about disaster and emergency management at businesses. This course focuses on selected business continuity (disaster recovery) planning and management topics and case studies in private and non-private businesses. Student will discuss different theoretical, methodological, technical and practical aspects of business continuity (disaster recovery) and review several business continuity (disaster recovery) planning and management cases. The topics, strategically sequenced to build context, introduce students to the most significant and relevant areas in business continuity (disaster recovery) planning and management today.
Instructional Format: LECT
2027
W
gs/dems 5080M
Disaster & Emergency Management Practicum
Placements in the field provide students with the opportunity to apply theories of disaster and emergency management in a variety of organizations within the private, public and non-governmental organization sectors. Prerequisites: GS/DEMS 5020 3.00 Co-requisite: GS/DEMS 5030 3.00.
Instructional Format: PRAC
2026
W
gs/dems 5080M
Disaster & Emergency Management Practicum
Placements in the field provide students with the opportunity to apply theories of disaster and emergency management in a variety of organizations within the private, public and non-governmental organization sectors. Prerequisites: GS/DEMS 5020 3.00 Co-requisite: GS/DEMS 5030 3.00.
Instructional Format: PRAC
Instructor(s): N. Agrawal
2027
W
gs/dems 5081M
Topics in Applied Disaster Management
Explores selected topics in applied disaster and emergency management, as they relate to the theoretical aspects of this subject area.
Instructional Format: LECT
2026
W
gs/dems 5082M
Disaster and Emergency Management in Healthcare
This course addresses how the principles and theories of Emergency & Disaster Management are applied in healthcare settings such as paramedicine, hospitals, and public health in both Canadian and international contexts.
Instructional Format: ONLN
Instructor(s): A. Moull, I. Attard
2026
F
gs/dems 5710A
Critical Infrastructure Protection
Explores issues related to critical infrastructure protection, including complexity, resilience, criticality and interdependencies, regulatory and legislative requirements, and doctrines. Threats include natural disasters and man-made events including criminal acts, terrorist physical and cyber attacks. Course credit exclusion: Students are only able to take this course with the permission of the course director, if the student has taken DEMS 4707 3.0: Managing Risks to Critical Infrastructure.
Instructional Format: LECT
2026
F
gs/dems 6999A
Major Research Paper
The purpose of the major research paper develops the student's ability to do research beyond a normal course paper. In its style, length, and quality, the major research paper takes the form of a publishable academic article of around 80 to 100 pages. The major research paper is supervised by a faculty member of the Disaster & Emergency Management program.
Instructional Format: RESP
2026
W
gs/dems 6999M
Major Research Paper
The purpose of the major research paper develops the student's ability to do research beyond a normal course paper. In its style, length, and quality, the major research paper takes the form of a publishable academic article of around 80 to 100 pages. The major research paper is supervised by a faculty member of the Disaster & Emergency Management program.
Instructional Format: RESP
2027
W
gs/dems 6999M
Major Research Paper
The purpose of the major research paper develops the student's ability to do research beyond a normal course paper. In its style, length, and quality, the major research paper takes the form of a publishable academic article of around 80 to 100 pages. The major research paper is supervised by a faculty member of the Disaster & Emergency Management program.
Instructional Format: RESP
2026
F
gs/dems 7700A
Critical Theory and Practice in DEM 1: Risk, Vulnerability, and Resilience
Students will develop an understanding of theories, approaches, methods, and issues in comprehensive emergency management through a deep reading of seminal literature and debates in the field. Case studies from within and beyond Canada will be discussed, considering aspects of risk, vulnerability and resilience. Contrasting disciplinary perspectives on the critical studies of disaster will be analyzed and compared. This is a required course for students in the DEM doctoral program. In Critical Theory and Practice in DEM 1, we focus on Risk, Vulnerability, and Resilience. Disasters and emergencies have long been understood through three meta-narratives: risk, vulnerability, and resilience. In this course, we explore in depth each approach to understanding, preparing for, and responding to disasters. Material covered includes risk, vulnerability, resilience, and disaster theory; risk governance and the construction of risk in society; and introduction to types of hazards. Students will apply these concepts to real-world scenarios and contemporary events. This course is a pre-requisite of GS/DEMS 7701 3.00 Critical Theory and Practice in DEM 2: Research and Practice in Disaster and Emergency Management
Instructional Format: LECT
2026
W
gs/dems 7701M
Critical Theory and Practice in DEM 2: Research and Practice in Disaster and Emergency Management
Students will develop an understanding of theories, approaches, methods, and issues in comprehensive emergency management through a deep reading of seminal literature and debates in the field. Case studies from within and beyond Canada will be discussed, considering aspects of risk, vulnerability and resilience. Contrasting disciplinary perspectives on the critical studies of disaster will be analyzed and compared. This is a required course for students in the DEM doctoral program. Disasters and emergencies attract a wide variety of attention from practitioners, academics, governments, and the public. In this course, we explore the different disciplinary approaches to academic research on disasters (including sociology, anthropology, philosophy, science and technology studies, systems theory, decision-making, and public administration) and the practitioner experiences in the field (including government, nongovernmental, and private sector roles). The part of the course is based on deep-dive visits by experts from each field, with an emphasis on critical reflection between the issues raised by each perspective. Pre-requisite: GS/DEMS 7700 3.00
Instructional Format: LECT
Instructor(s): N. Agrawal
2027
W
gs/dems 7701M
Critical Theory and Practice in DEM 2: Research and Practice in Disaster and Emergency Management
Students will develop an understanding of theories, approaches, methods, and issues in comprehensive emergency management through a deep reading of seminal literature and debates in the field. Case studies from within and beyond Canada will be discussed, considering aspects of risk, vulnerability and resilience. Contrasting disciplinary perspectives on the critical studies of disaster will be analyzed and compared. This is a required course for students in the DEM doctoral program. Disasters and emergencies attract a wide variety of attention from practitioners, academics, governments, and the public. In this course, we explore the different disciplinary approaches to academic research on disasters (including sociology, anthropology, philosophy, science and technology studies, systems theory, decision-making, and public administration) and the practitioner experiences in the field (including government, nongovernmental, and private sector roles). The part of the course is based on deep-dive visits by experts from each field, with an emphasis on critical reflection between the issues raised by each perspective. Pre-requisite: GS/DEMS 7700 3.00
Instructional Format: LECT
2027
W
gs/dems 7730M
Research Design and Qualitative Research Methods
Provides students with an introduction to philosophical bases of research design as well as a practical introduction to qualitative methods. Students will gain an understanding of the paradigmatic foundations of research, how to design and evaluate qualitative research and experiment with a range of qualitative methods (i.e., interview, focus groups, observation, archival analysis).
Instructional Format: LECT
2026
W
gs/dems 7730M
Research Design and Qualitative Research Methods
Provides students with an introduction to philosophical bases of research design as well as a practical introduction to qualitative methods. Students will gain an understanding of the paradigmatic foundations of research, how to design and evaluate qualitative research and experiment with a range of qualitative methods (i.e., interview, focus groups, observation, archival analysis).
Instructional Format: LECT
Instructor(s): K. Thomson
2026
F
gs/dems 7740A
Research Design and Quantitative Methods
Students are provided with a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of various quantitative research methods and their applications in disaster and emergency management. Using statistical methods, students will learn to analyze data and formulate hypotheses and conceptual relationships.
Instructional Format: LECT
2026
F
gs/dems 7750A
Research Design & Proposal Development in Disaster and Emergency Management
This seminar introduces key skills in research project design, including scoping a research question, situating it in the literature, determining appropriate methodological tools, and conducting effective literature reviews. Students will also develop skills in academic project management while working towards the development of a dissertation proposal. Pre-requisites: DEMS 7700, DEMS 7730, DEMS 7740.
Instructional Format: LECT
2026
F
gs/dems 7790A
Teaching, Learning, and Pedagogy in Emergency Management
DEMS 7790 delves into pedagogical theories and teaching and learning frameworks pertinent to emergency management education in both university and professional settings (public and private). The course provides a comprehensive understanding of the various teaching and learning strategies that can be employed to effectively convey emergency management concepts. Students will have the opportunity to critically analyze these strategies, develop their teaching styles, and enhance their instructional competencies. Through a blend of theoretical insights and practical applications, students will be prepared to contribute effectively to the education and training of stakeholders in academic, public and private settings, including future emergency management professionals.
Instructional Format: LECT
Learn More
The Graduate Program in Disaster & Emergency Management at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Graduate Program Assistant to learn more.