KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY
GRADUATE COURSE PROPOSAL OR REVISION,
Cover Sheet (10/02/2002)
Course Number/Program Name COM 6670 Crisis Leadership Communication
Department Communication
Degree Title (if applicable) Graduate Certificate in Crisis Management Communication
Proposed Effective Date Fall 2014
Check one or more of the following and complete the appropriate sections:
X New Course Proposal
Course Title Change
Course Number Change
Course Credit Change
Course Prerequisite Change
Course Description Change
Sections to be Completed
II, III, IV, V, VII
I, II, III
I, II, III
I, II, III
I, II, III
I, II, III
Notes:
If proposed changes to an existing course are substantial (credit hours, title, and description), a new course with a
new number should be proposed.
A new Course Proposal (Sections II, III, IV, V, VII) is required for each new course proposed as part of a new
program. Current catalog information (Section I) is required for each existing course incorporated into the
program.
Minor changes to a course can use the simplified E-Z Course Change Form.
Submitted by:
_____
Barbara S. Gainey September 9, 2013
Faculty Member
Approved
Date
Not Approved
Department Curriculum Committee Date
Approved
Approved
Approved
Approved
Approved
Approved
Not Approved
Department Chair
Date
College Curriculum Committee
Date
College Dean
Date
GPCC Chair
Date
Dean, Graduate College
Date
Not Approved
Not Approved
Not Approved
Not Approved
Not Approved
Vice President for Academic Affairs Date
Approved
Not Approved
President
Date
KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY
GRADUATE COURSE/CONCENTRATION/PROGRAM CHANGE
I.
Current Information (Fill in for changes)
Page Number in Current Catalog
___
Course Prefix and Number
___
Course Title
___
Class Hours
____Laboratory Hours_______Credit Hours________
Prerequisites
___
Description (or Current Degree Requirements)
II.
Proposed Information (Fill in for changes and new courses)
Course Prefix and Number _COM 6670
Course Title Crisis Leadership Communication
Class Hours
3 ____Laboratory Hours___0____CreditHours_3_______
Prerequisites None
Description (or Proposed Degree Requirements)
Leaders need communication skills and requisite knowledge to guide organizations through the
tumultuous crises of the future. Crisis Leadership Communication addresses numerous content
areas, including: factors involved in decision-making under pressure; training and organizational
skills in crisis management communication as a core competency; and leading in local and
transboundary crises through an integrated approach for organizations with different decisionmaking structures, different resource commitments to crisis preparations and response, and
different communication and cultural strategies.
III.
Justification
This course was originally offered as an Honors Program seminar, but interest has grown as the
University’s commitment to a Crisis Preparedness curriculum has developed. The Department of
Communication currently is home to a new multidisciplinary minor in Crisis Preparedness. This minor was
developed with the seed money provided through a Holder Award grant, the involvement of a universitywide faculty committee, and the insight and feedback of a committee of Metro Atlanta Homeland
Security/Emergency Management/crisis management experts. The course is designed to serve upperlevel undergraduate students in Communication and other majors (COM 4670) and graduate students
(COM 6670 Crisis Leadership Communication) in an upcoming graduate certificate program in Crisis
Management Communication.
IV.
Additional Information (for New Courses only)
Instructor: Dr. Barbara S. Gainey
Text: Selected texts and journal articles (see sample syllabus)
Prerequisites: None
Objectives:
1. Define crisis, crisis management/crisis communication, crisis leadership, transboundary
crises and other key terms used in this course.
2. Identify key concepts and approaches for effectively leading crises in organizations.
3. Assess the information needs and resources of crisis leadership situations through
analysis of case studies and other crisis scenarios.
4. Identify characteristics of effective crisis leadership.
5. Propose and assess core leadership competencies in a crisis.
6. Identify and explain the different aspects of leading in a transboundary crisis, including
resource commitment, decision-making structures, communication strategies, and cultural
and ethical approaches.
7. Illustrate and evaluate effective leadership styles, core values, and strategies in a crisis.
8. Examine and analyze current trends in crisis leadership research.
9. Propose new theoretical approaches for the study of crisis leadership.
10. Develop a training workshop for future crisis leaders.
Instructional Method
This course will incorporate use of a Learning Management System (such as D2L), which the expectation
that the course may be offered as a hybrid course. Writing skills, group process skills, decision-making
skills, leadership skills, communication strategies, research applications, multiculturalism, and ethics will
be emphasized in this course.
Method of Evaluation
The course will be evaluated by the Public Relations faculty and Department chair as to the course’s
effectiveness in the Department of Communication curriculum. Student feedback and instructor feedback
will be solicited. Course assessment will be conducted on a regular basis as part of the Assessment of
Learning process.
V.
Resources and Funding Required (New Courses only)
Resource
Amount
Faculty
Other Personnel
Equipment
Supplies
Travel
New Books
New Journals
Other (Specify)
Use of existing or new faculty hires
NA
Use of classroom technology and D2L
Course packets, readings.
NA, although future travel may be requested for research
Textbooks
NA
NA
TOTAL
Funding Required Beyond
Normal Departmental Growth Additional faculty lines will be needed to fully implement
Crisis Management Communication Graduate Certificate Program and a new Major.
VI. COURSE MASTER FORM
This form will be completed by the requesting department and will be sent to the Office of the
Registrar once the course has been approved by the Office of the President.
The form is required for all new courses.
DISCIPLINE
COURSE NUMBER
COURSE TITLE FOR LABEL
(Note: Limit 30 spaces)
CLASS-LAB-CREDIT HOURS
Approval, Effective Term
Grades Allowed (Regular or S/U)
If course used to satisfy CPC, what areas?
Learning Support Programs courses which are
required as prerequisites
COM
6670
Crisis Leadership Com
3-0-3
Fall 2014
Regular
NA
NA
APPROVED:
________________________________________________
Vice President for Academic Affairs or Designee __
VII Attach Syllabus
COM 6670 Crisis Leadership Communication,
Section 1/Hybrid, Fall 2014
Kennesaw State University
Professor:
Dr. Barbara S. Gainey,
Interim Chair, Associate Professor
Class times: TBD
Location:
Social Sciences Building, room TBD
E-mail:
bgainey@kennesaw.edu
Phone:
770-423-6298
Office:
Social Science Building, #5116
Office hours: By appointment.
HYBRID CLASS: This section is a hybrid version of Crisis Leadership Communication. We
will meet in class every Tuesday. Our traditional Thursday class will take place online. You will
typically have from Tuesday evening, after class, until the next Monday evening to complete the
week’s online work. Check Desire to Learn (D2L) regularly for readings, assignments, and dates
by which assignments must be posted online. This class is not to be treated as a once-a-week
class; ignoring your online content and assignments will make it extremely difficult, if not
impossible, to be successful in this class. If you can’t make a commitment to the online portion
of class, you should not take a hybrid class. Resources will be posted to assist you with the
hybrid format. All exams will be given at KSU.
Prerequisites: Admission to the graduate program at KSU.
Course description: Leaders need communication skills and requisite knowledge to guide
organizations through the tumultuous crises of the future. Crisis Leadership Communication
addresses numerous content areas, including: factors involved in decision-making under
pressure; training and organizational skills in crisis management communication as a core
competency; and leading in local and transboundary crises through an integrated approach for
organizations with different decision-making structures, different resource commitments to crisis
preparations and response, and different communication and cultural strategies.
Major course objectives:
11. Define crisis, crisis management/crisis communication, crisis leadership, transboundary
crises and other key terms used in this course.
12. Identify key concepts and approaches for effectively leading crises in organizations.
13. Assess the information needs and resources of crisis leadership situations through
analysis of case studies and other crisis scenarios.
14. Identify characteristics of effective crisis leadership.
15. Propose and assess core leadership competencies in a crisis.
16. Identify and explain the different aspects of leading in a transboundary crisis, including
resource commitment, decision-making structures, communication strategies, and cultural
and ethical approaches.
17. Illustrate and evaluate effective leadership styles, core values, and strategies in a crisis.
18. Examine and analyze current trends in crisis leadership research.
19. Propose new theoretical approaches for the study of crisis leadership.
20. Develop a training workshop for future crisis leaders.
Reading: Students will be required to complete selected textbook readings and identified
readings from academic, professional and mass media journals. Textbook readings may be drawn
from:
(1) Ongoing Crisis Communication: Planning, Managing and Responding by Coombs
(2012).
(2) Effective Crisis Communication: Moving from Crisis to Opportunity by Ulmer, Sellnow
and Seeger (2011).
(3) Crisis Management in the New Strategy Landscape by Crandall, Parnell and Spillan
(2010)
(4) The Crisis Manager: Facing Disasters, Conflicts, and Failures by Lerbinger, (2012).
(5) Leadership in the Open: A New Paradigm in Emergency Management by Crowe (2013).
Required resource: Students must buy Scantron sheets (the 100-question sheets) for the exams.
Recommended reference text: American Psychological Association. (2009). Publication
Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.) Washington, DC: American
Psychological Association.
Course Policies:
Expectations: The Crisis Leadership Communication course is focused in strategic public
relations, crisis management communication, and crisis leadership for upper-level undergraduate
and graduate students. You are expected to be a serious consumer of the mass media—broadcast,
print, and online—and professional and peer-reviewed public relations journals.
Through written and oral assignments, you will demonstrate your grasp of the material and your
perspectives on crisis leadership topics; however, terrific content is not credible without evidence
of good mechanics. Each paper should provide evidence of clear thinking, concise writing,
logical reasoning, and proper writing style. (Associated Press writing style is acceptable in this
class; however, APA style should be used for references and citations.) Correct spelling,
grammar, punctuation, and usage are obviously expected. Please proofread all of your work.
Writing errors, including typos, will result in grade penalties. All work for this course must be
typed, double spaced (no triple spacing), using 12-point type. Standard one-inch margins should
be used. All papers should be stapled.
Participating in class discussions and taking quality notes will be important to understanding
and learning the material we cover. Reliance on PowerPoints and/or a textbook will not be
sufficient. The PowerPoints are designed to outline the material I will cover in class, but they are
not comprehensive lecture notes. As a student in an upper-level university class, you are to
assume responsibility for taking notes that will help you study and prepare for future class
assignments, including exams. Because this is a hybrid class, you also must take responsibility
for studying the content and completing required assignments during your “online class day.”
You are responsible for content covered in class or online. My expectation is that, by staying
up-to-date on readings and assignments, you will be prepared to contribute in a meaningful
way to class-related activities and discussions.
Attendance, assignment deadlines and participation: Daily and on-time attendance is
expected. Arriving late and leaving class early are very disruptive and are to be the exception
rather than the rule. Poor attendance (in class and online) will ultimately negatively affect your
grade. Excessive absences (more than two) will make it hard for you to keep up and be
successful in this class.
Deadlines are extremely important in public relations work and in our class. The syllabus clearly
spells out the due dates for all major assignments, and homework is assigned during class and
usually posted to Desire to Learn; late assignments will not be accepted.
Student participation is a very important aspect of this course so that we are able to discuss
breaking crisis events as they happen during the semester. You are expected to come to class
prepared to contribute to class discussions. Lack of preparation and participation will be reflected
in your grade. Class preparation and participation includes being current on text, mass media,
and all supplemental reading assignments. In addition to contributing to class and online
discussions, you are expected to participate through completion of class assignments, team
activities, and homework assignments which may not be detailed in the syllabus but assigned
during class or online.
You are responsible for material covered in your absence. I encourage you to identify a
classmate (perhaps a team member) to contact about material covered if you must miss a class or
portion of a class. If you miss an exam because of a documented illness or death in the family (or
other documented emergency), you must make up the exam within one week. It is your
responsibility to contact me to arrange the make-up exam.
During a class session when a quiz or exam is given, all papers, books, waters/sodas, and cell
phones will be put away (please make sure all cell phones ringers are turned off, as always).
Students are not allowed to leave the classroom during a quiz or exam. No exam will be given to
a student who arrives to class after the first student has finished the exam and left the room.
Teamwork: As in the professional world, the ability to work well in a team is essential. Each
student is expected to be a contributing member of a team. Students are expected to support
teams through regular and on-time attendance and preparation for team assignments. Peer
evaluations are taken into account for grades on team projects.
Global learning: Kennesaw State University is a learning-centered institution emphasizing
creativity, diversity, global awareness, leadership, ethics, teaching excellence, digital literacy,
technological competence, and community engagement. KSU has adopted a Quality
Enhancement Plan (QEP), an educational process that enhances one’s competencies for
participating productively and responsibly in the diverse, international, intercultural, and
interdependent world.
Academic integrity: Every KSU student is responsible for upholding the provisions of the
Student Code of Conduct, as published in the Undergraduate and Graduate catalogs. Section II of
the Student Code of Conduct addresses the University’s policy on academic honesty, including
provisions regarding plagiarism and cheating, unauthorized access to University materials,
misrepresentation/falsification of University records or academic work, malicious removal,
retention or destruction of library materials, malicious/intentional misuse of computer facilities
and/or services, and misuse of student identification cards. Incidents of alleged academic
misconduct will be handled through the established procedures of the University Judiciary
Program, which includes either an “informal” resolution by a faculty member, resulting in a
grade adjustment, or a formal hearing procedure, which may subject a student to the Code of
Conduct’s minimum one semester suspension requirement.
Plagiarism, fabrication of research data, and cheating will result in an F for the assignment.
Complete sentences from published works should not be reproduced in a paper without the
appropriate use of direct quotes and correct citations. Sources must also be cited if you are
paraphrasing someone else’s ideas.
A student who turns in work that is not his or her own will receive 0 points on the assignment.
All work is expected to be original to the class.
Intellectual property protection: Lectures, presentation slides, exercises, and handouts used in
this course are the property of Dr. Barbara Gainey and Kennesaw State University. Class session
may not be electronically recorded without permission of Dr. Gainey or any guest lecturers that
may speak in this class. Recordings, including class notes, may not be used for commercial
purposes without proper attribution.
Disability: If you have a documented disability and wish to discuss academic accommodations
with me, please see me by the second week of class or call the Carmichael Student Center at
770-423-6443.
E-mail communication: You are expected to use your assigned KSU email account. Please
always put specific information in the subject line of your email. Provide details in the body of
your message, including the course name and number. Always provide your full name. I usually
respond within 48 hours during the work week. If your email raises a point or asks for an answer
that I think might benefit the whole class, I will bring the answer to the next class meeting and
may not reply individually to that email.
Laptops in class: You are allowed to use a laptop (or tablet) to take notes in class or to conduct
research, when appropriate. Laptop use in class is a privilege. Inappropriate use of a laptop,
tablet or smartphone—such as surfing the web, checking email or Facebook, texting, or working
on material for other classes—will result in one warning; a second offense will result in loss of
the privilege of using your electronic device in this class for the remainder of the semester.
Netiquette: Remember to follow basic rules of online etiquette. A helpful resource is found at
http://www.albion.com/netiquette/.
Course requirements and grade calculations:
Two crisis leadership critiques (50 points each)
Online assignments
Research/theoretical approaches
Crisis leadership trend analysis
Training workshop proposal
Total points:
100 points
50 points
100 points
50 points
100 points
400 points
The exams and research literature review must be completed, in addition to earning the required
number of points, for you to receive a passing grade in this course. Generally, letter grades are
assigned based on the total number of points accrued by the end of the semester.
A:
B:
C:
400-360 points
359-320 points
319-280 points
D:
F:
279-240 points
239 points and below
Course schedule: Because some variables are not yet known, such as the appearance of guest
speakers, a breaking crisis event, or other activities, this course outline is flexible and may
change. While I expect to adhere closely to assignment dates, I will make you aware of any
syllabus changes as soon as possible.
Reminder: October XX is the last day to withdraw from a class without academic penalty.
Date
Topic
Week 1
Overview of course, review of syllabus. What is a crisis?
Why is crisis leadership important?
Week 2
Crisis management approaches and strategies.
Week 3
Theoretical approaches to crisis leadership.
Week 4
Characteristics of effective crisis leadership.
First crisis leadership critique due.
Week 5
Crisis leadership in our global society.
Week 6
Crisis leadership panel discussion.
Second crisis leadership critique due.
Week 7
Effective crisis leadership scenarios.
Week 8
Research day
Week 9
Transboundary crises and the challenges
for organization leaders.
Week 10
Leadership competencies
Crisis leadership trend analysis due.
Week 11
Transparency, efficiency and collaboration.
Week 12
Training workshop proposal due.
Week 13
Ethical demands of crisis leadership.
Week 14
Training, learning and renewal.
Week 15
Emerging trends, crisis leadership for the new reality.
Week 16
Research/theoretical approaches paper due.