Bringing Culture Back In: Exploring the Cultural Dimensions of Disaster

Disaster Movies in the Classroom: Pedagogical Value and Teaching Approaches

“…The significance of studying cultural products, stated by Webb et al (2000), was restated by Webb (2006:434), who argued that "knowledge" passed on by movies could put people at risk by shaping their perceptions of danger and what actions they should take. Webb goes further, stating "…popular images of disaster are likely to shape people's knowledge about disasters and how they respond to them-not just members of the public but also those working in emergency management, law enforcement, and other governmental agencies."…”

Trapped: Expanding Student Understanding of Multiorganizational Coordination through the Use of Fiction

“…Disaster events frequently have been used by novelists, screen and play writers, poets, and musicians. Only recently, however, have such products of popular culture been studied by disaster and hazard sociologists (Quarantelli and Davis 2011), although a few have alerted us to its importance (Webb et al 2000;Webb 2006). Over the years a few researchers began exploration and critique.…”

An Organizational and Culturally Sensitive Approach to Managing Air-Traffic Disaster: The Gulf Air Incident

“…As part of the work on understanding disasters and identifying new ways of dealing with them, research has focused on integrating cultural aspects into disaster management (Quarantelli, 1985;Wenger, and Weller, 1973). This aspect is crucial in explaining how individuals and families view a disaster incident and how they would be willing to make critical decisions related to the recovery and mitigation process (Webb, Wachtendorf, and Eyre, 2000). For example, in Islamic societies, searching for the bodies of victims is important; however, quick and respectful burial of victims is expected.…”

“…As the need for incorporating cultural aspects in disaster management continued to develop, the term organizational culture was viewed as "a combination of traditions, collective values, frame of reference, and management styles of the individuals participating in disaster recovery efforts" (Pidgeon, Turner, Taft and Blockley, 1992, p. 296). In support of the recognition of cultural aspects as part of understanding disaster dynamics and process, Webb, Wachtendorf and Eyre, (2000) indicated, "Cultural representations of disaster play an essential role in transmitting knowledge between individuals, groups, and generations" (p. 7).…”

“…These prospects include both material and social support available within the community. Webb, et al, (2000), believe that the disruption of routine functioning of the affected community tends to bring people together in their effort to collectively define the event and adapt to the new circumstances.…”