Current active course description (last updated 2019/20)
"In Pandemonium" – Communication of Risk and Crisis
JOU5004
Current active course description (last updated 2019/20)
"In Pandemonium" – Communication of Risk and Crisis
JOU5004
Handling a crisis related to terrorism or major accidents requires complex skills that must be built up through practice and critical reflection. In a crisis situation, journalists and communicators may find themselves in roles that turn them into “adversaries”, which can be prevented by acquiring an in-depth mutual understanding of each other's societal missions.
The course covers the role and work methods of the media on the one side, and how communicators on the other side can build effective communication strategies both externally (towards the media and other target groups) and within their own organisation. Importance is attached to risk assessment, source criticism and use of social media for both groups. The course will use real cases, simulations and exercises as part of the instruction.
Knowledge
Students...
- have knowledge of the course topics of operative civil protection and crisis management, how various emergency preparedness systems are organised and interact, and what critical factors affect crisis management.
- have knowledge of central theories on media comprehension and the function of the media in a crisis situation.
- have knowledge of legislation and ethical frameworks that apply to the tasks and areas of responsibility of both journalists and communicators in handing crisis situations.
- understand the importance of strategically good communication plans and target group comprehension and can thereby develop expertise to prevent and prepare for adverse situations.
- have insight into the various phases of a crisis and can practice communication internally and externally during a crisis.
Skills
Students...
- shall develop the ability to analyse issues from the course.
- can work independently with key theoretical and practical challenges in crisis management.
- can use analysis methods to identify the risks associated with a measure, activity, system or situation.
- can recognise various roles in connection with crisis situations, exercise source criticism and analyse various mechanisms for information and disinformation.
- can assess reaction patterns to both the injured and rescue personnel in crisis situations.
- The journalist student masters specific tasks related to reporting from the field in a truthful and ethically responsible manner.
- The communicator student masters specific tasks related to media contact in a crisis situation in a truthful and ethically responsible manner.
General qualifications
Students...
- shall be able to discuss the academic topics of the course in relation to topical issues and cases.
- can acquire key subject matter related to the academic topics of the course and convey this in an easy-to-understand manner both written and spoken.
- can work independently and together with others with crisis management, evaluation and learning as part of an organisation's activities.
- understand the social responsibility of various agencies/businesses/organisation in a crisis situation
- are familiar with key media comprehension theories, how the media and media landscape function, and how the media can be used in the area of strategic communications.
- master technical study tools that are required for online learning.
Beyond the expenses for the semester fee and reading list literature, the student shall cover expenses for travel and accommodation in connection with gatherings and exercise production. The student must also have the following equipment available: Portable computer (Win/Mac), smart phone and still camera with video capabilities (preferably with a separate microphone input). Acquiring Adobe CC software package is also recommended.
Mandatory
The course provides for various learning activities and teaching methods (face-to-face at gatherings and online): Lectures and seminars/webinars, self-study, instruction in real time and as video recordings, work with theoretical and practical papers individually and in groups, partly for presentation to fellow students and partly for publication in the programme’s online newspaper and on social media.
The programme of study is evaluated annually by the students through course surveys (mid-term evaluation and final evaluation). The evaluations are part of the university's quality assurance system.
Must also be able to read specialist literature in English.