Module: Crisis Communications

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Crisis Communications
Module Code	MCO1055 (ITS: CM596)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Communications
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5

Description

To provide students with: An understanding of the need for effective communication in an emergency; The skills necessary to communicate effectively with the media, with other agencies and within their organisation.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify communication priorities in managing a crisis situation;
2. Evaluate media coverage of a crisis;
3. Contribute effectively to their organisation s communications strategy;
4. Develop and implement a crisis communications strategy;
5. Develop and manage effective internal communications;
6. Develop and manage effective relationships with journalists;
7. Deal effectively with impromptu media queries;
8. Communicate key messages in concise and effective manner;
9. Have an awareness of interview techniques.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	10	Instruction element of in-class sessions
Seminars	15	Workshop element of in-class sessions
Assignment Completion	8	Case Study Assignment
Assignment Completion	8	Group Project
Online activity	24	Use of course-related material on Moodle
Independent Study	60	General research and reading
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20697	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Martin Molony	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Essay	Crisis Communications Case Study	60%	Week 6
Practical/skills evaluation	Crisis Communications Simulation Exercise	40%	Sem 1 End

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Communications Planning
Communications in the pre-crisis, crisis and post-crisis / continuity periods of a crisis.

Communications Strategies
Crisis communications & communication management strategies.

The Communications Plan
Preparing a crisis communications plan.

Internal Communications
Effective internal communications.

Publics and Stakeholders
Identifying - and planning for - all the publics of an organisation.

News Media Priorities
Understanding the priorities of the media in a crisis or emergency.

Managing Media Relations
Creating, maintaining and developing relatinoships with the media.

Ethics
Ethics of communications and the media

Case Studies
Case studies in emergency communications.

Presentation & Interview Skills
Presentation skills and interview techniques for media relations.

Press Releases
Press / media releases and media conferences.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Carty, F. X. (Ed): 1995, From John Paul to Saint Jack, Public Relations in Ireland, Able Press, Dublin,
Cutlip, Scott & Center, Allen: 2006, Effective Public Relations, 9th edition, Prentice-Hall, New Jersey,
Czarnecki, Al: 2007, Crisis Communications: A Primer for Teams,, iUniverse, Lincoln, NE,
Devlin, Edward S.: 2006, Crisis Planning Management & Execution, Auerbach,
Fernandez, L. & Merzer, M.: 2003, Jane s Crisis Communications Handbook, Jane's Information Group, Surrey,
Gillis, Tamara (Ed): 2006, IABC Handbook of Organisational Communication, Jossey-Bass, Hoboken, NJ,
Gunning, Ellen: 2007, Public Relations â€“ a practical approach, 2nd edition, Gill & McMillan, Dublin,
Jefkins, F.: 2001, Public Relations Techniques, 2nd edition, Buttersworth Heinemann, Oxford,
Millar, Dan P. & Smith, Larry L.: 2002, Crisis Management and Communication, International Association of Business Communicators, San Francisco,
Noll, A. Michael (Ed): 2003, Crisis Communications: Lessons from September 11th, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Lanham, MD,
Potter, Lester R.: 2001, The Communication Plan, International Association of Business Communicators, San Francisco,
Smith, Pamela & Mounter, Lynn: 2005, Effective Internal Communication, Kogan Page, London,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None