A second edition of a
successful course! Whether or not you have done State of Emergency before,
you will be able to do this new set of scenarios. You will form COBRA/the
Cabinet and be presented with a series of crisis scenarios throughout the week.
This course is based around the idea of learning-through-doing (in this case, a
simulation). You'll have an introduction to government and emergencies (nothing
too heavy) at the beginning of the week. Students will then work through a
different crisis each day. This is your chance to find out what it's like to be
a minister and have to take those critical decisions. The course is guided by a
tutor who previously worked as an advisor to former cabinet ministers.
* All sessions will
begin with a full crisis briefing, conducted by the tutor (including the
outlining of some options).
Monday (2 parts):
·Part 1: Introduction to how the course will
run and assigning of roles to be assumed during simulations
·Part 2: Mini crisis session - a chance to "try
out” the simulation.
Tuesday (1 large simulation)
Nuclear Incident: A small nuclear
reactor has reported a breach of security in the disposal of their waste. A
small portion of this has gone missing and is currently unaccounted for. This
may be a false "incident” (caused by poor record-keeping on the site) or it
could be more sinister. How will you respond? What are your immediate
priorities? Can you work as a team to get Britain back to normal as soon as
possible?
Wednesday (1 large simulation)
Parliament Has Fallen: The long-term
neglect of Parliament's physical infrastructure has lead to its inevitable
consequence. A major fire is currently spreading through Parliament. This has caused
widespread disruption (both at the site itself and in the wider centre of
London). How will you respond? What are your immediate priorities? Can you work
as a team to get Britain back to normal as soon as possible?
Thursday (1 large simulation)
General Strike: Trades unions have
commenced a general strike. They are citing a mixture of poor pay and difficult
working conditions as the justification for their action. Public services and
the private sector are grinding to a halt. In the meantime, the world is
looking at the situation as an example of national embarrassment for the UK. How
will you respond? What are your immediate priorities? Can you work as a team to
get Britain back to normal as soon as possible?
Friday (2 parts):
·Part 1: Mini-crisis - Operation Menai Bridge -
the King is mortally ill, and you must prepare for the transition to a new
head-of-state.
·Part 2: Examples of how different governments
have responded to crises. Course reflection.
Preparation:
No preparation is needed ahead of this course. However,
students may, if they choose, wish to view use YouTube videos of interviews
with former cabinet ministers, officials and journalists to hear about how
ministers have reacted to previous crises. They are also invited to contact the
tutor for suggestions of particular clips they can watch or reading that they
can do if interested.
Equipment:
Students will not need any equipment though may benefit from
bringing a pen and paper with them.