THIS COURSE WILL BE TAUGHT NEXT SPRING SEMESTER, 2007

RISK COMMUNICATION

SYLLABUS

ES/RP 590

WSU-TC

JANUARY-MAY 2007

[DAY/HOUR]

[ROOM]

DR. L.B. SANDY ROCK

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Course Description: A course in the principles, tenets, methodology, obstacles and application of effective communication of environmental health risks. 

Numerous factors determine differences in perception of risk of harm from exposure to environmental health hazards.  Such differences create obstacles in communication between individuals and communities perceived at risk and those whose activities present potential hazards to them.  Risk communication is the assisted dialogue among individuals, communities, and organizations responsible for and/or affected by environmental and other health hazards.  It is a "science-based approach for communicating effectively in high-concern, low-trust, high-stress, emotionally-charged and/or controversial situations." [Covello]  Done effectively, it results in a better understanding and acceptance of risk.  This course covers the principles, tenets, methodologies, obstacles, and applications of effective communication of environmental health risks.  Through readings, class discussion, written report, and role-playing the participant will learn the fundamentals of effective risk communication and take the first steps toward developing and carrying out an effective risk communication plan.

Course objectives:

    After successfully completing this course, the student will: 

1. know the theory and fundamentals of effective risk communication;

2. know when and how to appropriately apply risk communication principles;

3. be able to develop an effective risk communication plan

Course requirements/grading:

• Attendance--10%

• Participation--20%

• Paper/report--20%

• Mid-Term Exam--20%

• Final Exam--30%

(Active participation includes asking questions, making appropriate comments, bringing in relevant articles, going on field trips, engaging in other activities relevant to class (e.g. attending a public hearing or meeting relevant to RC), and so on.)

Class rules and recommendations: Attend/Be on time/Participate; No smoking, beverages (other than water, coffee), food, perfume, cologne, cell phones

Academic Integrity:            As stated in the WSU Tri-Cities Student Handbook," any member of the University community who witnesses an apparent act of academic dishonesty shall report the act either to the instructor responsible for the course or activity or to the Office of Student Affairs."  The Handbook defines academic dishonesty to include "cheating, falsification, fabrication, multiple submission [e.g., submitting the same or slightly revised paper or oral report to different courses as a new piece of work], plagiarism, abuse of academic material, complicity, or misconduct in research.”  Infractions will be addressed according to procedures specified in the Handbook.

(Cheating includes, but is not limited to, copying answers on tests and assignments, glancing at nearby test papers, swapping papers, plagiarizing, and illicitly giving or receiving help on exams or assignments.)

Disability Support:            According to Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, “institutions of higher education are obligated to provide services to students with disabilities.”  At WSU, reasonable accommodations are available on a case-by-case basis for students with a documented disability.  The student should notify WSU Tri-Cities’ Office of Disability Support Services (West 269D) during the first week of classes if accommodations are needed.  The Office will approve the appropriate accommodations requested by the student.  Instructors will receive a Memorandum of Introduction, along with a Signature Sheet.  The instructor must keep the Memorandum and sign the Signature Sheet, which the student returns to the Office.  The student does not have to disclose his/her disability — only the needed accommodations.  The instructor is responsible for providing the approved accommodations.  The Office will provide assistance to the instructor.

Text and Reading Resources:

1. Required: "Risk Communication, A Handbook...," Lundgren and McMakin, Third Edition; Battelle Press (available at WSU/TC bookstore)

2. A Primer on Health Risk Communication Principles and Practices

3. Mad Cows and Mother's Milk: The Perils of Poor Risk Communication, Powell & Leiss; McGill Queen's University Press

4. Risk World (online)

INTERESTING AND RELEVANT READING:

• Dealing with The Media

Schedule (tentative and flexible)

*American Society of Safety Engineers: LINK