Disaster Theory‎:‎ An Interdisciplinary Approach to Concepts and Causes offers the theoretical background needed to understand what disasters are and why they occur‎.‎ Drawing on related disciplines‎,‎ including sociology‎,‎ risk theory‎,‎ and seminal research on disasters and emergency management‎,‎ Disaster Theory clearly lays out the conceptual framework of the emerging field of disaster studies‎.‎ Tailored to the needs of advanced undergraduates and graduate students‎,‎ this unique text also provides an ideal capstone for students who have already been introduced to the fundamentals of emergency management‎.‎ Disaster Theory emphasizes the application of critical thinking in understanding disasters and their causes by synthesizing a wide range of information on theory and practice‎,‎ including input from leading scholars in the field‎.‎ * Offers the first cohesive depiction of disaster theory* Incorporates material from leading thinkers in the field‎,‎ as well as student exercises and critical thinking questions‎,‎ making this a rich resource for advanced courses* Written from an international perspective and includes case studies of disasters and hazards from around the world for comparing the leading models of emergency response* Challenges the reader to think critically about important questions in disaster management from various points of view