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Unit of study_

MECO6909: Crisis Communication

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The unit will examine how organisations use public relations (PR) to deal with crisis situations. Throughout the unit we will use case studies to explore frameworks, risk prioritisation, issues management, planning, response and evaluation strategies for diverse organisations and topics from environmental and corporate to health and social.

Unit details and rules

Unit code MECO6909
Academic unit Media and Communications
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Catherine Page Jeffery, catherine.pagejeffery@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Charlotte Launder, charlotte.launder@sydney.edu.au
Mei Li, mei.li@sydney.edu.au
Hamideh Khaleghi Mohammadi, hamideh.khaleghimohammadi@sydney.edu.au
Jodie Wrigley, jodie.wrigley@sydney.edu.au
Paul Allen, paul.allen@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation group assignment Mock press conference
Mock press conference in relation to a crisis scenario.
20% Multiple weeks 20 minutes (1000w equivalent)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4
Assignment Case study analysis #1
Conflict resolution case study analysis
35% Week 05
Due date: 22 Mar 2024 at 23:59
1750 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment Case study analysis #2
Crisis communication case study analysis
35% Week 08
Due date: 19 Apr 2024 at 23:59
1750 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4
Assignment Weekly Comments
Weekly submitted comments from weeks 2-11
10% Weekly 150 words per week
Outcomes assessed: LO1
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Assessment Word Count Weight
Weekly comments 1500 words (approx) total 10%
Case study analysis #1 1750 words 35%
Cast study analysis #2 1750 words 35%
Mock press conference 1000 words (equivalent) 20%

 

 

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date: Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date. After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded. This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below: For every calendar day up to and including ten calendar days after the due date, a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to late work. For work submitted more than ten calendar days after the due date a mark of zero will be awarded (USYD Assessment Procedures, 2011)

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to crisis communications Lecture (0.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Introduction to crisis communications Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 02 Crisis communication theories - Part One Lecture (0.5 hr) LO1 LO2
Crisis communication theories: Part One Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 03 Conflict Resolution Lecture (0.5 hr) LO1 LO3
Conflict Resolution Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Conflict resolution in practice Lecture (0.5 hr) LO1 LO3
Conflict resolution in practice Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 05 Crisis communication theories - Part Two Lecture (0.5 hr) LO1 LO2
Crisis communication theories - Part Two Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 06 Organisational crisis strategies Lecture (0.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Organisational crisis strategies Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Planning for crisis Lecture (0.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Planning for crisis Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 08 Responding to crises - Crisis communication in practice Lecture (0.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Responding to crises - crisis communication in practice Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Crisis communication in the digital age Lecture (0.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Crisis communications in the digital age Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 Responding to specific crises Lecture (0.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Responding to specific crises Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 Dealing with the media during a crisis Lecture (0.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Dealing with the media during a crisis Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Group presentations Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO4
Week 13 Group presentations Tutorial (1.5 hr) LO1 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.

  • Lecture recording: All lectures are recorded and delivered asynchronously, meaning that students can listen to the recording in their own time via Canvas. 

  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library system, available via Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Demonstrate a critical and practical understanding of ethical PR management and effective crisis communication drawing on foundational theories and case studies
  • LO2. Critically analyse and evaluate a range of crisis communications scenarios drawing on key theories.
  • LO3. Critically analyse and evaluate conflict resolution strategies implemented in a PR conflict scenario drawing on key theories.
  • LO4. Demonstrate effective crisis communications skills in a range of practical and realistic scenarios.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

A number of substantive changes have been made to the unit this year both in response to feedback, and to ensure that content is up-to-date, relevant, and reflects contemporary issues and debates. Assignments have been changed, with the addition of a group assessment which involves a mock press conference. Some topics have been consolidated to allow space for new topics. Case study examples retain some of the classic examples, while including more contemporary examples including data breaches.
  • As per School policy, students must complete all assignments in the unit to obtain a grade and avoid an automatic Absent Fail (AF) mark
  • Contact your seminar teacher for course-specific questions (e.g., group issues, etc.), contact the unit coordinator for larger issues (simple extensions, special consideration, seminar switches/course clashes, etc.)
  • Apply for extensions (where applicable) sufficiently ahead of the due date, not the day before or day of (exceptions are emergencies). Note that there are no individual extensions for group efforts. 
  • If you drop a class after being assigned to a group, please contact both the coordinator and your group mates immediately. 
  • If you are unsure about whether this unit is right for you (in case it is an elective), please make an appointment with the coordinator and discuss it instead of disrupting class proceedings by enrolling/disenrolling within a week or two. 
  • More information can be found on Canvas after enrolment

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.