PRA. 450 Crisis Management
   (pre-requisite: PRA 320 Public Relations Disciplines)

(1 term; 3 Credits)

Crisis Management is a specialist area of public relations. In the face of a crisis situation, public relations skills and techniques are particularly important. Often, they are severely tested.  Unless careful public relations planning is done and quick and effective responses are made, impacts of a crisis on an organization or an individual can be drastic and fatal.   This course looks into the key principles underlying crisis communication, investigating into various communication concepts and models. The course also reviews the relationship between crisis management, issues management and public relations. Ethical issues and consideration in the process of handling crisis will also be discussed.
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. gain understanding of the concept of crisis management and issues management;
2. gain understand the role  and the importance of communications and public relations during a crisis;
3. learn the skills and techniques in handling a crisis;
4. learn how to communicate during a crisis and how to employ strategies and tactics in the process.