A Case Study of Trauma Narrative for Civil Engineering Students on Hydrometeorological Disaster Victims in Malaysia

Abstract

This paper offers an interdisciplinary exploration linking the narratives of disaster studies and civil engineering programme in a Malaysian context. In Malaysia, civil engineers play a pivotal role in advancing the nation and people through the construction of infrastructure. This includes highways, buildings and dam construction. These constructions are heavily related to human beings and society at large. However, current literature indicates that civil engineers in Malaysia lack the ability to understand the narratives of trauma especially in cases of manmade and natural disasters. This is due to the fact that most civil engineering programmes focus on technical knowledge while little emphasis is given to trauma studies. Hence, this case study aims to link trauma studies and hydrometeorological disasters in Malaysia. Drawing theoretical frameworks from the work of the trauma narrative expert Cathy Caruth, this project aims to take her conceptual undertaking of trauma narratives to add on, compliment and strengthen the existing curriculum. The crux of this project involves civil engineering students in engaging with trauma narratives of disaster victims. The methodology is a narrative technique to capture the elements of trauma that can be represented in many forms. The paper reports on challenges and reflections as well as methodological constraints from this case study. It concludes with a promising integration of narrative technique in the curriculum.