Main Content

Syllabus

The information contained on this page is designed to give students a representative example of material covered in the course. Any information related to course assignments, dates, or course materials is illustrative only. For a definitive list of materials, please check the online catalog 3-4 weeks before the course start date.

HLS/CAS 553 Disaster Communication (3 credits): Provides a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted nature of disaster communication across phases of a disaster.

Overview | Course Structure | Objectives | Staying in Touch | Document File Formats | Netiquette | Documenting References | E-live | Google Scholar | Obtaining Transcripts | Registering for Future Courses | Participation Points | Response Time | Interacting with the Instructor | Interacting with the Course TA | Privacy Notice | Late Penalties | Important Note on Activities | Materials | Technical Requirements | Course Schedule | Grading | Unsatisfactory Grades | Academic Integrity | Policies

Overview

The objective of this course is to provide students with an advanced understanding of the multifaceted nature of disaster communication across phases of a disaster. Four audiences for disaster communication will be considered: the general public, the nation's infrastructure [community, health care, social, and government/public health], volunteers, and first responders. The development of a multi-faceted disaster communication plan will provide an opportunity to consider an ecological approach to disaster communication.

return to top of page

Course Structure

This course is structured into three parts. The first part covers disaster communication and preparedness and includes the following lessons:

  1. Defining Disaster Communication
  2. Communicating about Disaster Preparedness with the Public
  3. Preparing Society's Infrastructure to Communicate about Disasters
  4. Communicating to Mobilize Support for Disaster Preparedness
  5. Preparing First Responders to Communicate during Disasters

The second part covers disaster communication and response. These lessons include:

  1. Communicating about Disaster Response with the Public
  2. A Role for Society's Infrastructure in Communicating during Disasters
  3. Communicating with Volunteers during Disasters
  4. First Responders' Communication during Disasters

The third part covers disaster communication and recovery. The content includes the following lessons:

  1. Communicating about Disaster Recovery with the Public
  2. A Role for Society's Infrastructure in Communicating about Disaster Recovery
  3. Communicating with Volunteers Mobilized for Recovery
  4. Communicating with First Responders Following Disasters
  5. Disaster Communication and Social Justice
  6. [Final Exam]
return to top of page

Course Objectives

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

  • Identify goals of disaster communication within a framework associated with audience analysis and the phases of a disaster
  • Explain the functions served by visual, verbal, and nonverbal communication toward achieving these aims
  • Describe the roles of government, public health, volunteers, and media in disaster communication activities across the phases of a disaster
  • Understand the role of disaster communication technological systems in preparedness, response, and recovery
  • Design effective messages to communicate with varied audiences about disaster preparedness, response, and recovery
  • Develop audience-driven disaster communication plans
return to top of page

Staying in Touch

The online course format offers a number of ways to stay in touch. Here is a quick summary:

Medium Type of Message Notes
Course Discussion Forums (Team specific) Communications around specific team activities Lessons tab > [Weekly Lessons]
Student Lounge Chat Room Option for live chats among class members (Students can set up times to chat whenever) Communicate tab > Student Lounge
Course E-mail Individual communications between class participants and/or instructor Communicate tab > Course Mail

 

return to top of page

Document File Formats

When submitting documents electronically, please ensure that you use either the .DOC format or the .RTF format.

return to top of page

Netiquette

Netiquette ("[inter]net" + "etiquette") is a special set of personal conduct rules for online communication and a topic worth reviewing. Remember, it is inappropriate to send offensive e-mail, chain letters or items that interfere with others' work. These tips for guidance on the content of your postings and other online communications in this course.

 

return to top of page

Documenting References

Please note that APA style is preferred for documenting references in your assignments for this course. You can find information on APA formatting at Citing your Sources

return to top of page

E-live

E-live! has been added to the course space to allow students to collaborate synchronously using audio, text messaging, an interactive whiteboard, and more. You can access Elluminate Live Request Survey in the Course Orientation folder found within the Lesson 1 folder (Course Orientation > Ellumniate Live Request Survey).

Use of the tool is entirely optional. If your team wants to use it to communicate and collaborate, simply follow the directions listed in the Elive FAQ page in Course Orientation folder found within the Lesson 1 folder. It is probably a good idea to schedule a pilot session if you are interested in trying out the tool so that you can work out any kinks prior to a collaborative working session.

As with all of the technology tools in the course, please contact the Penn State World Campus Help Desk with any technical questions.

return to top of page

Google Scholar

As you research various course topics, you may find a new Google search tool particularly useful:

"What is Google Scholar?
Google Scholar provides a simple way to broadly search for scholarly literature. From one place, you can search across many disciplines and sources: peer-reviewed papers, theses, books, abstracts and articles, from academic publishers, professional societies, preprint repositories, universities and other scholarly organizations. Google Scholar helps you identify the most relevant research across the world of scholarly research."

Feel free to explore the tool at http://scholar.google.com

return to top of page

Obtaining Transcripts

Students can access all of their Penn State administrative information (e.g. schedule, grades, tuition bill, etc.) online at eLion (https://elion.psu.edu/).  If you need hard copies of your grades, you may also request this through eLion.

return to top of page

Registering for Future Courses

For more information on upcoming courses in the program see the Penn State World Campus online catalog at http://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/CourseCatalog.woa. If you have further questions regarding registration, you can contact Penn State World Campus Student Services at http://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/Contact.shtml.

return to top of page

Participation Points

The following will be considered by the instructor to assess the participation points:
  • Total number of hours logged
  • Total number of log-ins
  • E-mail activity
  • Number of e-mails initiated and replied to
  • Quality of discussion forum posts
return to top of page

Response Time

The Instructor will attempt to respond to all e-mail within 24 to 48 hours.

return to top of page

Interacting with the Instructor

The instructor interacts with teams and individual students through discussion forums, e-mail, or E-Live. These modes of communicating will be used to provide guidance and feedback as needed for team and individual activity assignments. These modes of communication also serve as a resource for students to ask general questions regarding lesson content.

return to top of page

Interacting with the Course TA

Your course may have a TA. The course TA interacts with teams and individual students through discussion forums, e-mail, or E-Live. The TA provides guidance and feedback, as needed, with respect to team and individual activity assignments. Finally, the TA serves as a resource to students for general questions regarding lesson content and regarding preparation for the essay, research proposal, and final exam.

return to top of page

Privacy Notice

For your privacy, the World Campus has chosen to limit course access to only those individuals that have a direct impact on your educational experience. In addition to the instructor, a teaching assistant may be assigned to the course to insure optimal faculty availability and access. At times, your course instructor may invite a guest lecturer in order to meet a specific educational goal or objective. Each course has one or two instructional designers to assist the instructor in managing both the course content and the online delivery. Finally, the Program Chair has course access for administrative and educational purposes. The Program Chair can serve as a valuable resource and mentor to both faculty and students. The Program Chair, in collaboration with your instructor, is ultimately responsible for overall course quality and for making sure that the academic integrity of the course is consistent with University and Program policies.

 

return to top of page

Late Penalties

Team Activities are due by 2:55 a.m. ET on Monday. Late penalties are as follows:

One day late -- 3 points off.
Two days late – 5 points off.
Three days late – 8 points off.

Individual Activities are due by 2:55 a.m. ET on Monday. Late penalties are as follows:

One day late – 2 points off.
Two days late – 4 points off.
Three days late – 6 points off.

 

return to top of page

Important Note on Activities

Each lesson includes a number of activities to be completed by all students, some individually and some in teams. Each week, assignments marked with a "G" for graded will be graded and scores will be added to students' gradebooks. At the end of the course, the instructor will assess students' overall level of course participation based on work on the individual and team *pass/fail* activities throughout the course. (That is, pass/fail activities will not receive grades on a weekly basis.)

 

return to top of page

Required Course Materials

Most World Campus courses require that students purchase materials (e.g., textbooks, specific software, etc.). To learn about how to order materials, please see the Course Materials page. You should check LionPATH approximately 3–4 weeks before the course begins for a list of required materials.

Library

Many of the University Libraries resources can be utilized from a distance. Through the Libraries website, you can

  • access magazine, journal, and newspaper articles online using library databases;
  • borrow materials and have them delivered to your doorstep—or even your desktop;
  • get research help via email, chat, or phone using the Ask a Librarian service; and
  • much more. 

You must have an active Penn State Access Account to take full advantage of the Libraries' resources and service.  The Off-Campus Users page has additional information about these free services.


Library Reserves

This course requires that you access Penn State library materials specifically reserved for this course. You can access these materials by selecting Library Resources in your course navigation, or by accessing the Library E-Reserves Search and search for your instructor's last name.

  • JHC: Journal of Health Communication, Volume 8, Supplement 1 (2003). Special Issue. Public health communication during the September 2001 bioterrorism-related anthrax outbreaks: CDC activities and lessons learned.
  • EID: Emerging Infectious Diseases, Volume 8, Number 10 (2002, October). Bioterrorism-related anthrax.
return to top of page

Technical Requirements

For this course we recommend the minimum World Campus technical requirements listed below:

Technical Requirements
Operating System Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8*; Mac OS X 10.5 or higher
*Windows 8 support excludes the tablet only RT version
Processor 2 GHz or higher
Memory 1 GB of RAM
Hard Drive Space 20 GB free disk space
Browser We recommend the latest ANGEL-supported version of Firefox or Internet Explorer. To determine if your browser fits this criterion, and for advice on downloading a supported version, please refer to the following ITS knowledge base article: Supported Browsers and Recommended Computers.
Note: Cookies, Java, and JavaScript must be enabled. Pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows
from Penn State websites.

Due to nonstandard handling of CSS, JavaScript and caching,
older versions of Internet Explorer (such as IE 6 or earlier) do not work with our courses.
Plug-ins Adobe Reader [Download from Adobe]
Flash Player (v7.0 or later) [Download from Adobe]
Additional Software Microsoft Office (2007 or later)
Internet Connection Broadband (cable or DSL) connection required
Printer Access to graphics-capable printer
DVD-ROM Required
Sound Card, Microphone, and Speakers Required
Monitor Capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution

World Campus Helpdesk

If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the Service Desk.

For registration, advising, disability services, help with materials, exams, general problem solving, visit World Campus Student Services!

 

return to top of page
[printer-friendly version]

Course Schedule

 

Course Schedule

Note that assignments are due based on the Eastern Time zone (EST or EDT). This ensures that all students have the same deadlines regardless of where they live.

 

  • Course length: 15 weeks

  Activity
1: Defining Disaster Communication
  • Student Questionnaire Form (I, U)
  • Initial Team Activity (I, U)
  • 2001 Anthrax Attack Communication Issues (I, G) --> 20 points
2: Communicating about Disaster Preparedness with the Public
  • Anthrax Press Release (I, G) --> 20 points
  • Credible Spokesperson (T, P/F)
  • Course Project Topic (Participation, G)
3: Preparing Society's Infrastructure to Communicate about Disasters
  • CDC's Communication Plan and an Anthrax Event (T, G) --> 50 points
  • Quarantine Plan Critique (I, P/F)
  • Course Project: Outline (I, U)
4: Communicating to Mobilize Support for Disaster Preparedness
  • Communicating with Volunteers (T, P/F)
  • Crafting a Public Service Announcement (I, G) --> 20 points
  • Course Project: Communicating with the Public (I, U)
5: Preparing First Responders to Communicate during Disasters
  • The Role of Electronic Mailings (I, G) --> 20 points
  • Crisis Management Team Advising (T, P/F)
  • Course Project: Brochure (I, U)
6: Communicating about Disaster Response with the Public
  • The Role of Town Hall Meetings (T, G) --> 50 points
  • Addressing an Anthrax Rumor (I, P/F)
  • Course Project: Crisis Management Plan (I, U)
7: A Role for Society's Infrastructure in Communicating during Disasters
  • Organizational Crisis vs. Natural Disasters (T, P/F)
  • Intra-role and Inter-role Conflicts (I, G) --> 20 points
  • Course Project: Communicating Organizations (I, U)
8: Communicating with Volunteers during Disasters
  • Helpline Best Practices (I, G) --> 20 points
  • Communicating as a Leader (T, P/F)
  • Course Project: Disaster Helpline (I, U)
9: First Responders' Communication during Disasters
  • International Disaster Communication (T, G) --> 50 points
  • Emotional Arousal (I, P/F)
  • Course Project: Communicating Support (I, U)
10: Communicating about Disaster Recovery with the Public
  • Frameworks for Considering Literacy Levels (I, G) --> 20 points
  • Revised Report (T, P/F)
  • Course Project: Web Site Home Page (I, U)
11: A Role for Society's Infrastructures in Communicating about Disaster Recovery
  • 9-11 Failures (T, P/F)
  • Communication Monitoring (I, G) --> 20 points
  • Course Project: Internal Communication (I, U)
12: Communicating with Volunteers Mobilized for Recovery
  • Volunteers and the Role of Crisis in Society (T, G) --> 50 points
  • Crisis Activity Follow Up (I, P/F)
  • Course Project: Leveraging Volunteers' Energies (I, U)
13: Communicating with First Responders Following Disasters
  • Creating a Lesson Plan (I, G) --> 20 points
  • Precrisis and First Responders (T, P/F)
  • Course Project Submission (I, G) --> 300 points
14: Disaster Communication and Social Justice
  • Guiding Principles of Ethical Communication (I, G) --> 20 points
  • Collaboration between Public Health and Law Enforcement Drop Box (T, P/F)
15: Final Exam
  • Final Exam (I, G) --> 150 points
  • Course Participation (I, G) --> 150 points

 

Course Access

Formal instruction will end on the last day of class. Provided that you have an active Penn State Access Account user ID and password, you will continue to be able to access the course materials for one year, starting from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered (with the exception of library reserves and other external resources that may have a shorter archival period). After one year, you might be able to access the course based on the policies of the program or department offering the course material, up to a maximum of three years from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered. For more information, please review the University Course Archival Policy.

Graduation

Note: If you are planning to graduate this semester, please communicate your intent to graduate to your instructor. This will alert your instructor to the need to submit your final grade in time to meet the published graduation deadlines. For more information about graduation policies and deadlines, please refer to Graduation at the Chaiken Center for Student Success.

 

return to top of page

Grading

Assignment Number Points Total Percent of Final Grade
Team Activities 4 50 points each 20%
Individual Activities 10 20 points each 20%
Class Project 1 300 points 30%
Final Exam 1 150 points 15%
Participation N/A 150 points 15%
GRAND TOTAL   1000 points 100%

Grading policy

Please refer to the University Grading Policy for Graduate Courses for additional information about University grading policies.

Unsatisfactory Grades

Unsatisfactory Grades All degree-seeking students in the MHS program who receive an F in the course will be reviewed by the Committee on Admissions and Academic Affairs, which has the final say regarding continued progress toward the degree, and under what conditions.

return to top of page

Academic Integrity

According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity , an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.

Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity ). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic outcomes, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes which may include ineligibility for Dean’s List, pass/fail elections, and grade forgiveness. Students may also face consequences from their home/major program and/or The Schreyer Honors College.

How Academic Integrity Violations Are Handled
World Campus students are expected to act with civility and personal integrity; respect other students' dignity, rights, and property; and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their own efforts. An environment of academic integrity is requisite to respect for oneself and others, as well as a civil community.

In cases where academic integrity is questioned, the Policy on Academic Integrity indicates that procedure requires an instructor to inform the student of the allegation. Procedures allow a student to accept or contest a charge. If a student chooses to contest a charge, the case will then be managed by the respective college or campus Academic Integrity Committee. If that committee recommends an administrative sanction (Formal Warning, Conduct Probation, Suspension, Expulsion), the claim will be referred to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.

All Penn State colleges abide by this Penn State policy, but review procedures may vary by college when academic dishonesty is suspected. Information about Penn State's academic integrity policy and college review procedures is included in the information that students receive upon enrolling in a course. To obtain that information in advance of enrolling in a course, please contact us by going to the Contacts & Help page .

return to top of page

University Policies

Deferred Grades
If, for reasons beyond the student's control, a student is prevented from completing a course within the prescribed time, the grade in that course may be deferred with the concurrence of the instructor. The symbol DF appears on the student's transcript until the course has been completed. Non-emergency permission for filing a deferred grade must be requested by the student before the beginning of the final examination period. In an emergency situation, an instructor can approve a deferred grade after the final exam period has started. Under emergency conditions during which the instructor is unavailable, authorization is required from one of the following: the dean of the college in which the candidate is enrolled; the executive director of the Division of Undergraduate Studies if the student is enrolled in that division or is a provisional student; or the campus chancellor of the student's associated Penn State campus.

For additional information please refer to the Deferring a Grade page.

Accommodating Disabilities

Graduation

Note: If you are planning to graduate this semester, please communicate your intent to graduate to your instructor. This will alert your instructor to the need to submit your final grade in time to meet the published graduation deadlines. For more information about graduation policies and deadlines, please refer to Graduation at the Chaiken Center for Student Success.

Additional Policies

For information about additional policies regarding Penn State Access Accounts; credit by examination; course tuition, fees, and refund schedules; and drops and withdrawals, please see the World Campus Student Center website.

 

return to top of page

Disclaimer: Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus are subject to change, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. Your instructor will notify you of any changes.


Top of page