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Crisis Communication

Code: 104781
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Communication in Organisations OB 3

Contact lecturer

Name :
Ana Ullod Pujol
Email :
ana.ullod@uab.cat

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Objectives

The subject is part of the Corporate Communication subject, in a block with other subjects such as: Internal Communication, Public Image Management, Institutional and Corporate Photography.

In today's society and in such a globalized world, crises are a constant, affecting in one way or another the image and reputation of organizations. Starting from the corporate sphere, the aim is to introduce students to the knowledge of the management of business and institutional crises, the different types of existing crises and how to manage them from a communication point of view.

Learning outcomes

  1. Work independently to solve problems and take strategic decisions on the basis of the knowledge acquired.
  2. Plan and conduct academic studies in the field of corporate communication based on the preparation of strategic communication plans.
  3. Communicate with journalists, members of the organisation and external audiences.
  4. Know all about the characteristics and structure of the media in the organisation's geographic area of influence in order to draw up its media plan.
  5. Identify and describe organisations' communicative objectives in order to gain a competitive advantage regarding their internal and external audiences.
  6. Devise and develop communication mechanisms of different kinds taking into account the characteristics of the organisation.
  7. Show initiative and leadership skills.
  8. Generate creative ideas in the workplace.
  9. Adapt to new situations in a constantly changing work environment.
  10. Organise the activities of communication departments in the short, medium and long term.
  11. Adopt an ethical approach when creating strategic plans, dealing with a communication crisis and defending the public image.
  12. Respect the different religions, ethnic groups, cultures, sexual identities, etc. of the persons belonging to the organisation.
  13. Analyse a situation and identify its points for improvement.
  14. Communicate using language that is not sexist or discriminatory.
  15. Identify situations in which a change or improvement is needed.

Contents

1. What do we understand by crisis in the business and institutional sphere.


2. What characterizes a crisis and its risks


3. Sequentiality of the development of a crisis.


4. Most common types of crisis


5. Principles of crisis communication


6. The crisis plan. Crisis manual and device.


7. Link between business / institutional crisis and reputation, brand activism and corporate social responsibility


Note: The course content will be sensitive to issues related to gender perspective and the use of inclusive language.

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Student work, readings, videos 87 3.48 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Seminars 12 0.48 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12
Practical classes 21 0.84 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11
Tutorials 7.5 0.3 2, 5, 6, 8, 11
Master Classes 15 0.6 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12

The teaching methodology that will be applied in the subject is the following:

MD1: Master classes

MD2: Problem-solving classes / cases / exercises

MD4: Preparation of jobs / reports

MD5: Reading articles / reports of interest

MD6: Oral presentation of works

MD7: Tutorials

MD8: Seminars

MD11: Classroom practices

A detailed schedule outlining the content of each session will be presented on the first day of the course and will be available on the course’s Virtual Campus, where students will find all teaching materials and necessary information for effective course monitoring. Should the teaching modality change for reasons of force majeure according to the competent authorities, the teaching staff will inform students of any modifications to the course schedule and teaching methodologies.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Seminar assistance 10% 3.5 0.14 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11
Practical works 50% 2 0.08 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
Exam 40% 2 0.08 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11

The evaluation system that will be applied in the subject is the following, depending on if it is continuous evaluation or unique evaluation:


CONTINOUS EVALUATION

• Carrying out group work (50%) on the final grade.

• Attendance of seminars (10%) on the final grade.

• Multiple choice exam (40%) on the final grade.

To pass the course, both the assignments and the exam must be passed.

Attendance at seminars is compulsory (minimum 80%), and their performance or attendance is not recoverable. Only duly justified and documented absences will be taken into account.

UNIQUE EVALUATION

- completion of a course work (50%) on the final grade. To be delivered on the day of the exam.

- crisis resolution test (10%) based on different readings on the subject. This test will be in person and will take place on the same day of the exam.

- exam (40%) on the final grade.

The course includes the possibility of recovery, under the following guidelines: The student who fails the exam will be able to access a second exam during the recovery period. In the case of suspending a seminar, group work practice, the student must repeat itin the recovery period, improving the aspects necessary to pass it.

Students will have the right to make up the subject if they have been evaluated from the set of activities, the weight of which is a minimum of 2/3 of the total grade for the subject.

The student who wishes to improve the grade of the first examination session must prepare a specific bibliography (to be consulted with the teaching team). The final grade would be the last one obtained, regardless of whether it was lower than the first.

In the case of a second enrolment, students can do a single synthesis exam/assignment that will consist of a work. The grading of the subject will correspond to the grade of the synthesis exam/assignment.


Plagiarism

In the event that the student performs any irregularity that may lead to a significant variation of an evaluation act, this evaluation act will be graded with 0, regardless of the disciplinary process that could be instructed. In the event, that several irregularities occur in the evaluation acts of the same subject, the final grade for this subject will be 0.


Artificial Intelligence (AI)

In this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted as an integral part of the development of coursework, provided that the final outcome reflects a significant contribution from the student in terms of analysis and personal reflection.. Students must clearly identify any parts generated with these technologies, specify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on how AI has influenced the process and final outcome of the assignment. Failure to disclose the use of AI in this assessed activity will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in a partial or total penalty to the assignment grade, or more serious sanctions in severe cases.

The performance of any irregularity in an evaluation act (academic fraud, plagiarism or improper use of AI, unless this use is expressly authorized by the teaching guide), which may lead to a significant variation in the grade, assumes that this act will be graded with a 0. In the event that the teaching guide foresees that in order to pass the subject it is an essential requirement to have obtained a minimum grade in this evaluation act or that there are several irregularities in the evaluation acts of the same subject, the final grade of this subject is 0. Apart from this, a disciplinary process may be instructed to the student that incurs any of these irregularities.

Any student suspected of submitting assignments that have been generated by AI, written by others or copied; include unattributed AI-generated content, or fall outside the permitted scope, may be asked to provide the preliminary work or other materials that can demonstrate it is original work and the result of their own authorship. They may also be asked to separately explain or justify their work. Teachers may also use AI detection systems or carry out any verification tasks they deem appropriate. If, after review, the instructor detects irregularities, the assignment may be graded zero, and the student may be subject to further disciplinary action.

Bibliography

Software

Program: Word, Power Point, Canva or similar word processors are needed to carry out work and presentations.

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TE) Theory 7 Spanish second semester afternoon
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 71 Spanish second semester afternoon
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 72 Spanish second semester afternoon