1. Analyze the current conflict between Israel and Hamas. Explain how the three

1. Analyze the current conflict between Israel and Hamas. Explain how the three
sociological frameworks (social constructionism, vulnerability, and political economic
theory) can be applied to understand this disaster. What social dimensions of disaster
do you observe in the media coverage of this war?
2. What makes children so vulnerable to disaster? Discuss the perspectives, research,
and contributions of Lori Peek and others.
3. Part one is based on the assigned reading from Toward a Criminology of
Disaster: What we Know and What We Need to Find Out by Kelly Frailing and Dee
Wood Harper. What forms of interpersonal violence would sociologists be interested in
studying during the life cycle of a disaster? Under what circumstances and conditions
are the specific types of violence likely to occur?
Part two is based on “Domestic Violence” in Heads Above Water by Ann
Fothergill. What were Fothergill’s findings regarding domestic violence during the
Grands Forks Flood? Discuss and evaluate the two cases studies that she presented in
her analysis. How did the experience of Liz and Karen differ? What were their outcomes?
4. Hurricane Andrew (1992) left more than 1,000 deserted pets that had to be put to
sleep because there was no space to care for them. It is estimated that Hurricane
Katrina (2006) resulted in the death of somewhere between 100,000 and 150,000 pets.
This question has two parts:
1. What is the Pet Act and how did it address some of the issues pertaining to pets and
disasters? What are the shortcomings of this legislation? Does the Pet Act apply to all
dogs? What are your thoughts regarding pets and disaster?
2. What forms of criminal activity, corruption and animal cruelty did Sarah DeYoung
describe in Chapter 3 of her book, All Creatures Safe and Sound? What are your
thoughts?