COMM 211: Risk Communication

(1 Unit)
This course is an introduction to risk communication, giving a communication research perspective to wide-ranging applications of individuals’ risk perception and decision-making. Although a good amount of the course draws examples from health and medicine, we take a broader view of risk and behavior that should be interesting for students of any background. Specific topics will include the psychology behind risk-taking, public service communication about health and environmental catastrophes, crisis communication and public relations, and how gain-loss framing affects financially risky decisions.