Course content

Knowledge and perspectives, mainly from the field of psychology, provide a theoretical and methodological foundation for understanding the research conducted in the areas of risk perception and risk communication and how such knowledge is developed or applied on environmental, risk and safety issues. The literature involves basic readings related to each specific field and materials that exemplify their close connections and usefulness in relation to current social and environmental challenges. Examples of multi-disciplinary contributions to the research area will also be presented. The study of various methodological approaches for data collections and analyses is interwoven with the literature studies and seminars or other discussions of research results and applications.

Learning outcome

The course will present the development and history of the risk perception and risk communication fields, knowledge of central work and theories in risk perception and risk communication research, basics of environmental psychology, knowledge of current research related to environmental issues, basics of concepts and research on safety and resilience research, introduction to risk governance issues.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and seminars/group discussions.

Compulsory assignments

• Approved theme and literature of term paper; oral presentation

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

Bachelor's degree in Behavioral or Social Sciences.

Course materials

The obligatory literature involves 500 pages in English. The term paper is based on 300 pages of individually chosen and relevant research literature.