Risk Communication

Code:

OPT_MSP12_15

Acronym:

MSP12_15

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Social and comportamental sciences

Instance: 2016/2017 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Public Health and Forensic Sciences, and Medical Education
Course/CS Responsible:	Master Degree Course in Public Health

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MSP	3	Master Degree Public Health - Official Plan12	1	-	3	27	81

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

To understand all the factors that influence the generation and communication of risk information during crisis and non crisis periods. To identify the social and ethical issues in the process of risk communication. To identify perceptual biases and how they influence understanding of health and health behaviour. To become familiar with methods for evaluating risk communication efforts.

Learning outcomes and competences

The syllabus is in agreement with the objective of having a global understanding on the basic principles for risk communication. The stimulation of group discussions and to conduct  a reflexive written assignment are proposed as the most effective options for the acquisition of skills.

Working method

Presencial

Program

- Principles of risk communication;

- Ethical issues in the risk communication;

- Risk communicated during non-crisis periods and during crisis periods;

- Challenges of risk communication with diverse audiences;

- The role of the social media.

Mandatory literature

Bennet, P., Calman K., Curtis, S., & Fischbacher-Smith, D.; Risk Communication and Public Health, Oxford University Press, 2010
Thompson, P.B.; Ethics and Risk Communication, Science Communication, 34(5), 618-641, 2012

Complementary Bibliography

Lundgren, R.E., & McMakin, A.H. ; Risk Communication: A handbook for comunicating environmental, safety, and health risks, IEEE Press, 2013

Teaching methods and learning activities

 

The teaching methods to be used will have as main purpose to present the theoretical dimension of the main concepts and problems related with risk communication. The contact hours will be distributed by theoretical and  and theoretical-practical sessions that will allow the group discussion in the classes. The assessment of the acquisition of knowledge and skills will be achieved by the evaluation that will occur during the theoretical-practical sessions through oral presentations and discussion groups, and by evaluating a final written assignement.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Defesa pública de dissertação, de relatório de projeto ou estágio, ou de tese	25,00
Participação presencial	0,00
Trabalho escrito	75,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese	40,00
Estudo autónomo	14,00
Frequência das aulas	27,00
Total:	81,00

Eligibility for exams

 

Terms of frequency: Assistance to at least 75% of all classes. It is mandatory to carry out all elements of evaluation.

Calculation formula of final grade

Formula of evaluation:  The assessment includes the production of a written assignement, being necessary: a) the class presentation of the final work; and also b) to delivery of the written assigment. Criteria weighting of each of the evaluation components of the final grade of the course: Oral presentation (25%);  written assignement (75%).