27924 - Risk Communication (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

This course is designed to immerse students in selected aspect of Risk Communication. The course covers theories and applied efforts that have been studied and documented with special emphasis on how risk is portrayed by media. Students will learn to critically evaluate existing Risk Communication materials and to develop a Risk Communication plan. The overall goal of the course is indeed to make students familiar with interpretation and application of risk communication and to give them the ability to identify Risk Communication skills and strategy for media outreach..

Course contents

1) Risk Concepts in Social Sciences: overview (M. Douglas, N.Luhman, U. Beck, A. Giddens).

2) Risk Communication. The objective is to improve students understanding about how communication helps control and prevent risk, how risk is portrayed by media and about the determinants of public perception of risk and uncertainty. The role of experts as well as the contextual factors that influence theory and practice are also incorporated.

3) Actors, stakes and models in Risk Communication. Students are familiarised with actual cases and practices in Risk Communication

Readings/Bibliography

Required Textbooks

• P. Bevitori (a cura di), La comunicazione dei rischi ambientali e per la salute. Strategie di comunicazione del rischio e analisi di alcuni casi reali, Angeli, Milano, 2004
• M. Bucchi, Vino, alghe e mucche pazze. La rappresentazione televisiva delle situazioni di rischio, Rai-Eri, 1999
• M. Lo Russo, Parole come pietre. La comunicazione del rischio, Baskerville, Bologna, 2004

Additional Textbooks (students are requested to choose at least 1 text from the list below):

• D. Lupton, Il rischio. Percezione, simboli, culture, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2003
• M. Trentini, Rischio e società, Carocci, Roma, 2006

Teaching methods

The course combines a practical and theoretical component. Lectures by teacher and guest speakers are matched with analyses of current scientific insights on issues of risk communication, risk perception and uncertainty.

Assessment methods

Written Exam, 90 minutes.

As an alternative to the written exam, students who regularly attend the course can choose to write a paper (subject will be agreed with the teacher before the end of the course). The paper will be the object of an oral exam which will cover also the course contents.

Students will be able to register the grade earned during the last session attended. Prior evaluation won't be taken into account.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint Presentations. Course materials will be posted at the website: http://campus.cib.unibo.it/

Links to further information

http://www.compass.unibo.it/didattica.html

Office hours

See the website of Eleonora Rizza