Crisis Communication & Management
I am three credits short of completing my minor in Communication at Central Michigan University. I need one more elective. None of the remaining electives really appealed to me. Instead of taking a class that I really am not interested in, I designed a syllabus for an independent study and submitted it to my adviser. She approved it. Next fall, I will be studying crisis communication and management.
I plan to keep a journal of the course on wordpress.com. My adviser will be able to keep track of my progress and others may benefit from reading about what I am learning in the course. Check back in August to get the link.
Does anyone have case studies or other suggestions that I may use for this course?
Please contact me if you do. It would be greatly appreciated!
Here is the syllabus that I designed:
Course Description:
This course focuses on crisis communication and management, emphasizing practical application of theories, strategies, and tactics from a public relations perspective.
Course Objectives:
- To understand the theories of crisis communication
- To critically analyze crisis communication case studies
- To competently utilize crisis communication and management strategies and tactics for detection, prevention, preparation, containment, and recovery.
- To be able to create a crisis communication plan
- To be able to transfer learned crisis communication and management skills to a real world context
Course Assignments:
- Case Study Analyses
- Critical analysis of case studies related to crisis communication and management
- Crises In The News
- Critical analysis of crisis situations showcased in the media
- Crisis Communication Plan
- Creation of crisis communication plan, preferably for local business or organization
- Professional Journal
- Professional journal, created through www.wordpress.com, will contain notes from readings, case study analyses assignments, crisis in the news assignments, and any other details related to class.
- Crisis Management Manual
- Reference manual created from class materials that can be used as a reference tool in future crisis situations
Course Points:
- Case Study Analysis 1 10 points
- Case Study Analysis 2 10 points
- Case Study Analysis 3 10 points
- Case Study Analysis 4 10 points
- Case Study Analysis 5 10 points
- Crisis In The News 1 10 points
- Crisis In The News 2 10 points
- Crisis In The News 3 10 points
- Crisis In The News 4 10 points
- Crisis In The News 5 10 points
- Crisis Communication Plan 150 points
- Professional Journal 150 points
- Crisis Management Manual 100 points
- TOTAL 500 points
Recommended Texts:
- Ongoing Crisis Communication: Planning, Managing, and Responding by W. Timothy Coombs
- The Crisis Counselor: A Step-By-Step Guide to Managing a Business Crisis by Jeff Caponigro