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Communication and Media Studies 430

COMS 430: Crisis Management and Communication

Prerequisite: COMS 130 (completed with a “C” or better), COMS 330 (completed with a “C” or better), and COMS 225 or permission of instructor.

Credit Hours: (3)

Public relations theory, management concepts, information management, problem solving and communication management that are central to individuals in organizations succeeding in the management of crisis situation.

Detailed Description of Content of Course

The content may include:
I. Crisis Preparation

Diagnosing vulnerabilities
Establishing crisis management teams
Developing a crisis management plan

II. Handling Crisis Situations

Initial response to crisis
Assessing information needs and spokespersons
Communicating contingency plans
Reputational Management

III. Postcrisis Concerns

Crisis evaluation
Image reparation
Postcrisis action plans

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

This course is designed primarily as a lecture/discussion course. Other instructional strategies may include, but not be limited to, student presentations, case studies, analytical papers, and guest speakers

Goals and Objectives of the Course

Professor Timothy Coombs, one of the premier scholars of crisis communication in our discipline, suggests the following objectives for a crisis communication course, and we concur:

To develop an appreciation of the ongoing approach to crisis management
To understand the core elements for the crisis preparation
To understand the guidelines for selecting crisis team members
To develop the ability to diagnose crisis vulnerabilities and suggest ways to prevent crises
To develop the ability to diagnose to differentiate between different crisis types
To understand the communication skills necessary to function as an effective spokesperson
To understand the components of a crisis vulnerability assessment and a crisis management plan and to develop the ability to evaluate crisis management plans
To demonstrate the ability to assess appropriateness of a crisis response; and
To demonstrate the ability to assess the information needs and resources of a crisis situation*

*Coombs, W. Timothy. (Spring 2001)Teaching the crisis management/communication course.(Public Relations Education). In Public Relations Review, 27, p89. Retrieved September 10, 2006.

Assessment Measures

Appropriate assessment strategies may include examinations, analytical papers, and presentations.

Other Course Information

Review and Approval

DATE ACTION REVIEWED
September, 2007 Reviewed Dr. Gwen Brown