Course Title |
POPG5012 Emergency Risk Communication in Disaster and Humanitarian Crisis |
Module Coordinator |
Gloria Kwong Wai Chan (gloria.chan@cuhk.edu.hk) |
Credits |
2 |
Date & Time |
Monday (Evening 18:30-21:30) and Saturday (Day-time: 9:30-12:30) |
Description |
In a crisis, every word counts. The need to communicate risks as accurate as possible in a timely manner arises as much from public expectation as professional need. Communication not only helps build resilience of the community but also prevent disease, disability and death, and restore dignity of the people facing disasters. This course offers theoretical and practical framework of effective advocacy and emergency risk communication in an evolving media landscape, and covers cases ranging from outbreaks to natural disasters in humanitarian settings. |
I. Content
Topic |
Contents/fundamental concepts |
Critical Function of Communication in Disaster and Humanitarian Crisis |
1. Defining emergency risk communication 2. Disasters and humanitarian crises 3. Role of communication in disaster 4. Core public health capacities in International Health Regulations (IHR) 5. Risk communication in IHR 6. The risk of disaster |
Psychology of People Facing Disaster |
1. Denial, stigmatisation, fear, anxiety, avoidance, withdrawal 2. Perception of risks 3. Bad communication practices 4. Communicate effectively in a crisis 5. Case study |
Communication and Crisis Development |
1. Stage models 2. CDC's crisis and emergency risk communication model 3. Crisis communication plan in different stages 4. Case study |
Communication and Warning |
1. Detection of risks 2. Transparency and first announcement 3. The first 48 hours 4. Hear-confirm-understand-decide-respond model 5. Protection action decision model 6. Case study |
Messages, Audience and Spokesperson |
1. Audiences of disaster communication 2. Role of spokesperson in an emergency 3. Media plan and strategy 4. Understanding the media and perspectives on the industry 5. Interacting with media during disasters |
Stakeholder and Partner Communication |
1. Crisis coordination and crisis collaboration 2. Community partnership 3. Dealing with angry public |
Emergency Risk Communication in New Media Landscape |
1. Media convergence; digital media: online and mobile 2. Journalists as curators 3. Social media as part of the comprehensive disaster communications programme 4. Strategic use of social media during disasters 5. Challenges and opportunities of using mobile devices in disasters |
II. Learning Outcomes or Objectives of the Course
After completing this course, students should be able to:
|
III. Course Schedule (Term 2)
Day |
Date |
Time |
Hrs |
Topic |
Format |
Lecturer |
Venue |
1 |
29 Apr 2019 (Mon) |
18:30 –21:30 |
3 |
Critical Function of Communication in Disaster and Humanitarian Crisis |
Lecture |
Gloria Chan |
3/F TR |
2 |
4 May 2019 (Sat) |
9:30 –12:30 |
3 |
Psychology of People Facing Disaster |
Lecture |
Gloria Chan |
KCTCRC |
3 |
6 May 2019 (Mon) |
18:30 –21:30 |
3 |
Communication and Crisis Development |
Lecture |
Gloria Chan |
KCTCRC |
4 |
11 May 2019 (Sat) |
9:30 –12:30 |
3 |
Communication and Warning |
Lecture |
Gloria Chan |
KCTCRC |
5 |
18 May 2019 (Sat) |
9:30 –12:30 |
3 |
Messages, Audience and Spokesperson |
Lecture |
Gloria Chan |
KCTCRC |
6 |
20 May 2019 (Mon) |
18:30 –21:30 |
3 |
Stakeholder and Partner Communication |
Lecture |
Gloria Chan |
KCTCRC |
7 |
25 May 2019 (Sat) |
9:30 –12:30 |
3 |
Crisis and Risk Emergency Communication in New Media Landscape |
Lecture |
Gloria Chan |
KCTCRC |
8 |
27 May 2019 (Mon) |
18:30 –21:30 |
3 |
Putting theory into practice |
Student Presentation |
Gloria Chan |
KCTCRC |
|
1 Jun 2019 (Sat) |
9:30 –12:30 |
|
Spare Day |
|
|
|
Venue:
3/F TR = Tutorial Room, 3/F, School of Public Health, PWH
KCTCRC = 1/F, JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, PWH
IV. Assessment (for registered MPH students only)
Assessement Scheme |
Description |
Weight |
In-class quiz |
Short quizzes will be conducted in class, either at the beginning or by the end of class per week |
20% |
Presentation/ Role Play |
Students will be divided into groups to present, or role play, the first announcement of a specific disaster or crisis in a media conference. There will have a lucky draw on Monday 20 May 2019 for the topic to announce on Monday 27 May 2019 per group. Each presentation group will be given very brief outline of the crisis. Announcement: 20 minutes max. The rest of the class will automatically take up the role of media to ask questions proactively in the media conference. Q&A: 20 minutes. |
40% |
Term Paper |
Each student is required to submit a term paper in 2,000 - 2,300 words (in English) to evaluate the success or failure of the crisis and emergency risk communication effort of the public sector and/or an NGO in charge of response or relief in a specific disaster or humanitarian crisis.
Students are required to hand in the assignment on time. Late submission will be penalized with 20% deduction of marks per day. Deadline of submission: Monday 17 June 2019 at 12:00 noon (HKT). |
40% |
V. Learning Resources for Students
Recommended readings or resources
|
Recommended readings:
Other readings:
Other resources:
|
VI. References on Academic Honesty and Plagiarism
Information regarding the academic honesty and plagiarism policy in the University is located at http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/policy/academichonesty/. Some further advice is given below. Any assignment which shows evidence of plagiarism will be penalized severely. Plagiarism is the copying of passages from other sources without proper citation or attribution. In the case of plagiarism, the minimum penalty is one demerit and a zero mark for the assignment.
VII. Teaching Staff (Teacher & TA inclusive)
Name: |
Ms. Gloria Kwong Wai Chan |
Office Location: |
Rm 308, SPHPC |
Phone / Email: |
2252 8468 / gloria.chan@cuhk.edu.hk |
VIII. Channels for Feedback for Evaluation
Evaluation will be sent to students in the last lecture. Students are also welcome to give comments and feedback at any time during the class. Stop by to talk to the lecturer and a cup of coffee can always help. You can also send me emails.