JOUR 636 - Risk Communication

(3 units)

An introduction to the field of environmental, science, health and risk communication. Class discussions will draw theoretical and conceptual considerations from fields such as environmental sociology, social psychology, visual communication, and risk perception. Topics include, for example, social constructions of environmental issues, environmental discourses in popular culture, scientific uncertainty, pseudoscience and misinformation, technology and system failures, health emergency.

Maximum units a student may earn: 3

Grading Basis: Graded
Units of Lecture: 3
Offered: Every Fall and Spring

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. describe the complexities of environmental, science, health and risk issues and the underlying political, social, and cultural characteristics of the issues.
2. integrate multidisciplinary theoretical perspectives, concepts and approaches in the studies of environmental, science, health and risk communication.
3. apply communication concepts and theories in the design of environmental science health communication campaigns and in the development of risk communication interventions/plans.
4. compose balanced feature stories/opinion pieces using scientific literature to articulate the environmental, scientific, and health impact of controversial environmental issues.
5. become aware of career opportunities in risk communication.
6. recognize and critically evaluate the challenges in the communication of environmental, science, health, and risk topics to diverse audiences.

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