RISK COMMUNICATION
Examines risk as a central concept in the communication process. Since risk is intrinsically an interdisciplinary concept, the examination will rely on literature from a wide range of disciplines and perspectives, such as communication, psychology, sociology and formal risk analysis. Case studies will be drawn from a wide range of global issues and cultural contexts, including environmental, technological or health risks; food safety risks; international military crisis or threats of terrorism; and natural disasters.
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: Junior standing and ( LSC 250 or 251 ); or graduate/professional standing Course Designation: Core GenEd - Social & Behavioral Science Breadth - Social Science Level - Advanced L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Fall 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Identify the psychological processes by which risk perceptions are formed across the world and explain these in lay terms to different audiences Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Analyze media portrayals of risk and their effect on public perceptions in different cultural settings Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Describe the importance of social, political and cultural contexts for risk related issues at the global scale Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Critically assess campaigns aiming at persuading individuals to make specific decisions in high-risk situations around the world Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Analyze and synthesize relevant scholarly literature related to risk communication Audience: Graduate 6. Formulate a research proposal articulating a primary research project in riskcommunication Audience: Graduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Identify the psychological processes by which risk perceptions are formed across the world and explain these in lay terms to different audiences Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Analyze media portrayals of risk and their effect on public perceptions in different cultural settings Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Describe the importance of social, political and cultural contexts for risk related issues at the global scale Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Critically assess campaigns aiming at persuading individuals to make specific decisions in high-risk situations around the world Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Analyze and synthesize relevant scholarly literature related to risk communication Audience: Graduate 6. Formulate a research proposal articulating a primary research project in riskcommunication Audience: Graduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027