"In Pandemonium" – Communication of Risk and Crisis
The course deals with theoretical and practical challenges of communication in connection with risk analysis and crisis management, as well as a broad introduction to possible threats facing society. Journalists' and communicators' responsibility for the public's understanding of risk is central. Central theories within media understanding, how the media and the media landscape work, and how media can be used and abused in strategic communication are discussed here.
The course emphasizes giving a thorough introduction to the relationship between how different threats to societal security and stability are perceived, and how these are communicated to different target groups and in different contexts. The course contains a practical exercise, built up around the emergency preparedness exercise Øvelse Nord.
Must be admitted to the master's programme in journalism and communication work
Knowledge
Students...
- have advanced knowledge of the course topics of social security and risk understanding.
- have advanced knowledge of the role of media and communication plays for public safety and risk understanding.
- have solid knowledge of factors that influence risk assessment and crisis management, how different emergency preparedness systems are organized and interact.
- have solid knowledge of legislative and ethical frameworks for both journalists' and communicators' work in crisis situations.
Skills
Students...
- can quickly get an overview of knowledge and information needs
- can analyze and relate critically to different sources of information and see through attempts at disinformation
- master specific tasks related to gathering and sharing information in a crisis situation to different target groups in a truthful and ethically responsible manner.
General competence
Students...
- are able to communicate extensive independent work, to understand complex risk assessments containing different disciplines' forms of expression and are able to bridge the gap between these.
- are able to discuss the academic topics of the course in relation to topical issues and cases, both with specialists and to the general public, both orally and in writing.
- master technical study tools required for online learning.
Composite assessment (SV). Rating expression: A-F. (First time spring 2023.)
- Participation in Øvelse Nord (or equivalent) with associated seminars. Rating expression: Pass/No pass. Counts 0/100 of the final grade in the course. To be completed before final examination/assessment.
- Two compulsory group assignments comparable to reflection notes of 2000-2500 words each. Rating expression: Pass/No pass. Counts 0/100 of the final grade in the course. Assignments may serve as basis material for the final exam. Assignments must be completed and approved before final examination/assessment.
- Exam, oral group presentation of 30 min, then 30 min questioning from examiner. Rating expression: A-F. Counts 100/100 of the final grade.