Risk Communications

Catalog description

This course examines necessary communication that must be provided by public officials before and during emergencies and disasters in order to protect the public and achieve understanding and cooperation. Specific theories of emergency and disaster communication are examined. The communication surrounding several recent disaster events is analyzed, and students write a press briefing or press release for one of these cases. Finally, students engage in a forum discussion of a disaster of their choice, appropriately titled: ‘the good, the bad, and the totally clueless.’ Students achieve an enhanced ability to deal with the media and the public before and during crisis situations, which is an extremely valuable skill to have.