Course syllabus

Risk Perception, Communication and Human Behaviour
Riskuppfattningar, kommunikation och mänskligt beteende

VRSN50, 7.5 credits, A (Second Cycle)

Valid for: 2024/25
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering LTH
Decided by: PLED BI/RH
Date of Decision: 2024-04-04
Effective: 2024-05-08

General Information

Depth of study relative to the degree requirements: Second cycle, in-depth level of the course cannot be classified
Mandatory for: MKAT1
Elective for: R4, RH4
Language of instruction: The course will be given in English

Aim

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

Contents

The course contains both theoretical and practical perspectives, where students mix knowledge with real-life applications of theories. Models that explain risk perceptions and theories of risk communication is presented, and these are contrasted with different ways of estimating or observing human behavior. A particular focus will be on assumptions and values, where these will be made explicit and critically assessed. Students work individually where they choose a risk that interests them and analyze it based on how this risk can be perceived and how it can be communicated between different stakeholders, and how this affects actual behavior. Students presented to the entire group, where other students can provide feedback and contribute their own perspectives and experiences, with the facilitator of the teacher. Final exam consists of a written report and oral presentation. 

Examination details

Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5) - (Fail, Three, Four, Five)
Assessment: Written reflective report, active participation in the seminars and contributing with peer-feedback to the other students. The report should contain critical reflection on how risk perceptions affect their communication in practice.

The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.

Modules
Code: 0120. Name: Report.
Credits: 5.0. Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5). Assessment: Approved individual paper. The module includes: Individual paper. The aim of this course is to give the students an in-depth understanding of how risks are perceived and communicated in society. By working with their own perspective on risk, presenting and arguing for a this perspective – informed by the theoretical models, the students increase their knowledge and understanding of how risks are managed and communicated in society.
Code: 0220. Name: Active Participation.
Credits: 2.5. Grading scale: UG - (U, G). Assessment: Active participation at mandatory seminars. The module includes: Seminars. During the course, the students are expected to give and receive feedback on the teachers, fellow students as well as their own presentations, something that requires active engagement.

Admission

Assumed prior knowledge: VRSN01 Societal Resilience
The number of participants is limited to: 40
Selection: Completed university credits within the program. Within programs where the course is given as a compulsory course students are guaranteed admission. Thereafter priority is given to students enrolled in programs that include the course in the curriculum.
Kursen överlappar följande kurser: VRSN35

Reading list

Contact

Course coordinator: Misse Wester, misse.wester@risk.lth.se
Course administrator: Linnéa Ekman, linnea.ekman@ebd.lth.se

Further information

The course focuses on giving students knowledge of how groups differ in terms of perceptions of risks, how these are communicated in society between different actors, and what possible effects this might have on behaviour. During the course, students will learn how risk perception is shaped in various contexts, and how this can affect the communication between experts and the public. In the course, different modes of communication will be explored, to increase the knowledge of different types of information sharing and communication in the modern information landscape. Students will gain a deepened understanding of how risks are prioritised among different social groups, and how communication between experts and laymen can occur. Students will be able to identify how risks affect groups in society, and in particular how gender differences affect distributions of risk. The course is based on active participation of the students, where learning takes place through interaction between students and teachers. It requires active participation of all students in their own work, in peer review and dialogue, as well as in student-led seminars.