Glenn Stutzky, instructor at Michigan State University’s
School of Social Work, is counting on an international fascination with zombies to attract attention to an important issue – how human behavior responds to catastrophe. Though his new class, "Surviving the Coming Zombie Apocalypse – Catastrophes and Human Behavior" doesn’t begin until May, he’s already excited about the buzz being generated.
“I have been surprised and encouraged from the number of people in other counties who are interested in taking the class,” says Stutzky. “So there’s an international outreach element to the class as well.”
The new, seven-week online course will teach students how human behavior and nature change after catastrophic incidences through the example of a zombie apocalypse. Stutzky thought of the idea after coming across the
Center from Disease Control's preparedness campaign with the same theme.
“Now, [the CDC] is interested an doing an informational event in the fall with us,” Stutzky says. “I’ve also had county emergency management coordinators contact me.”
Though the whimsical theme of the course has been a great tool to garner attention, Stutzky says the importance of the topic is deserving of every bit of press its been receiving.
“The application is very important because in a time of catastrophe there is such confusion, a lack of information and misinformation. If we can learn what the steps of a catastrophe are, we can determine what the right approach to action might be.”
Stutzky hopes to develop a second course on dealing with the aftermath of catastrophe with the same zombie theme next summer.
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