Issues, Crisis and Risk Communication | Units of study... | Swinburne University of Technology

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PUB30002 12.5 Credit Points Hawthorn, Online

Duration

One Semester or equivalent

Contact hours

24 hours face to face + Blended and Swinburne Online

On-campus unit delivery combines face-to-face and digital learning. For Online unit delivery, learning is conducted exclusively online.

Prerequisites

COM10007 Professional Communication Practice

AND

PUB20002 Public Relations Theory and Practice

AND

37.5 Credit Points

Aims and objectives

This unit introduces students to the strategic importance to organisations of the public relations related disciplines of issues, crisis and risk communication and to explore how they can be implemented in a range of public relations contexts.

Unit Learning Outcomes (ULO)

On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Formulate and articulate the differences between issues, crisis and risk communication

2. Critically analyse the importance of these disciplines to organisations’ strategic goal-setting

3. Analyse key principles from case studies and apply to practice-related concerns

4. Prepare plans for issues, crisis and risk communication appropriate to a variety of public relations scenarios

Unit information in detail

- Teaching methods, assessment and content.

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type	Hours per week	Number of Weeks	Total
On-Campus Lecture	3	12	36
On-Campus Tutorial	1	12	12
Specified Learning Activities Various	4	12	48
Unspecified Activities Independent learning	6.5	12	78
TOTAL			150 hours

Swinburne Online

Type	Hours per week	Number of Weeks	Total
Online Contact Online Learning Activities	3	12	36
Specified Learning Activities Various	3	12	36
Unspecified Activities Independent learning	6.5	12	78
TOTAL			150 hours

Assessment

Types	Individual/Group Role	Weighting	Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs)
Assignment	Group	40%	1, 2, 3, 4
Portfolio	Individual	30%	1, 2, 3, 4
Test	Individual	30%	1, 2, 3, 4

Content

Concepts - issues, crisis and risk
Relationship between issues, crisis and risk communication and organisational reputation
The nature of the issue life cycle; issues communication planning
Examination of public participation, activists and activism
Sources of crises
Development of a crisis plan
Role of media in issue, crisis and risk communication
Role of risk communication in risk management
Risk perception
Communication of complex, scientific and technical information
Examination of issues, crisis and risk communication practice through case studies

Study resources

- Reading materials.

Reading materials

Students are advised to check the unit outline in the relevant teaching period for appropriate textbooks and further reading.