CRISIS COMMUNICATION

Crisis Communications   This module will examine the key issue of crisis communications, ranging from corporate meltdowns to international emergencies. Crucially, the module will examine how the media industries, especially social media, are central actors in crisis’ situations and management and, occasionally, are themselves subject to severe reputational damage through corporate crises or unethical practices. This module therefore examines key issues of reputation and crisis through the complex web of media relations and industries. The module will draw on numerous case studies relating to media companies and other national and international organisations. Reputation and crisis are two terms, which are closely linked. As Iago famously points out in Shakespeare’s Othello, and put in contemporary terms, ‘a good reputation is the most valuable thing we have—men and women alike’. A crisis is the threat to a person or organisation’s reputation. Typically, a crisis occurs when an organisation or its products and/or services are perceived as responsible for damage (physical, financial, moral) caused to individuals, groups, or the environment. A crisis can also occur when a person or organisation are perceived as not having reacted appropriately when involved in a situation where damage was caused. The course will be structured into face-to-face and online lectures. Sessions will be accompanied with power point presentations.

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Learning Outcomes: Understand key definitions of examined by module Appreciating historical understanding of crisis communications Awareness of importance of contemporary crisis communications to businesses and groups  

This module will examine the key issue of crisis communications, ranging from corporate meltdowns to international emergencies. Crucially, the module will examine how the media industries, especially social media, are central actors in crisis’ situations and management and, occasionally, are themselves subject to severe reputational damage through corporate crises or unethical practices. This module therefore examines key issues of reputation and crisis through the complex web of media relations and industries. The module will draw on numerous case studies relating to media companies and other national and international organisations. Reputation and crisis are two terms, which are closely linked. As Iago famously points out in Shakespeare’s Othello, and put in contemporary terms, ‘a good reputation is the most valuable thing we have—men and women alike’. A crisis is the threat to a person or organisation’s reputation. Typically, a crisis occurs when an organisation or its products and/or services are perceived as responsible for damage (physical, financial, moral) caused to individuals, groups, or the environment. A crisis can also occur when a person or organisation are perceived as not having reacted appropriately when involved in a situation where damage was caused. The course will be structured into face-to-face and online lectures led by Professor Hibberd. Sessions will be accompanied with power point presentations.

Suggested Texts: Lucinda Austin and Yan Jin’s edited edition Social Media and Crisis Communication (2018, Routledge). Timothy Coombs and Sherry J. Holladay, The Handbook of Crisis Communication. Wiley-Blackwell.

Face to face and online lectures, collaborative work and role playing

The final grade will be composed of the results achieved by students: Group work to present in class + A 2500-word essay

20% attendance 50% group work 30% individual essay