Description and rational of the course

The COVID-19 pandemic is considered the worst global humanitarian crisis since World War II. It has changed the way people currently think about their personal and collective lives and their own and global future.

As a result of the worldwide increase of morbidity and mortality caused by the pandemic, and to contain the virus, governments have responded by implementing a wide range of extraordinary and unprecedented public health measures, such as closing borders, instating national lockdowns, large-scale quarantines, social distancing and more.  

The consequences of these measures have severely affected healthcare systems, the economy, the environment, legal and privacy concerns, personal and community wellbeing, and additional social and cultural aspects. Addressing and mitigating the impact of COVID-19 necessitates the application of diverse and multidisciplinary approaches that can enable identifying pitfalls as well as successes and opportunities to help ensure a more equitable and resilient society. Identifying the lessons learned and best practices for future adversities is vital in promoting societal resilience.

This course focuses on the challenges encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic from a multidisciplinary perspective and the emergence of opportunities for more optimal preparedness in potential future crises. 
 

Aims of the Course

This course will introduce the students to lessons identified in diverse multidisciplinary systems during the COVID-19 crisis. The consequences of the lessons learned, their impacts on the future management of such adversities, the ethical dilemmas, and the opportunities they created will be discussed. The course will encompass diverse areas and structures that were highly impacted, such as the medical, economic, communication, educational, legal, technological, and psychological systems. The potential influence on the management of future adversities will also be explored.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the course, the students will be able to:

• Define the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on multiple aspects of societal resilience.
• Analyze the means utilized during the global COVID-19 pandemic to national responses.
• Apply the relevant multidisciplinary aspects in preparedness for future adversities.
   

Structure of the Course

The course is an online program, featuring 12 sessions, consisting of the following elements: 

1. Self-learning tasks that students will perform as preparedness for each class.
2. Synchronic online class, including lectures, small-group work, and plenary discussions.
3. Simulation exercise.