The application of communication strategies and approaches in risk and crisis situations.  Risk communication refers to conditions of health and environmental hazards while crisis communication refers to communication (and media) strategies to mitigate impact of crisis situations, which are either man-made or natural calamities and accidents. The course also covers conflict management approaches focusing on communication strategies. 

Understanding culture and the challenges of cultural diversity and the dynamics of communication and culture (including language and culture). Includes theoretical perspectives (interpersonal and intergroup communication); Communication behaviors and patterns of various cultural and ethnic groups (within and outside the country); Nonverbal communication in intercultural communication; Applications of cross cultural communication in business and economy, managing conflicts (including terrorism), diplomacy, etc. Special topic is Muslim-Christian dialogue and interaction. 

Effective news gathering, interpretation and processing. It examines the media environment- its opportunities and constraints and explores various techniques of investigative and in-depth reporting. It includes establishing the validity and reliability of information, development of skills in integrating knowledge from various sources, and presentation of news content according to established criteria. Computer-assisted reporting is discussed. 

Concept and practice of civic or public journalism, an interventionist model of journalism developed in the 1990s by American journalists who were disillusioned by the minimal impact of conventional journalism on public interest.  Recognizing their responsibility to push the “national debate” on issues critical to the solution of social problems, they were dismayed to see that there was no such national debate and that half-baked palliative to social problems were implemented without public involvement.  Their decision to take responsibility led to the birth of public or civic journalism.  This course also discusses models parallel to civic journalism, such as the Philippine-born development journalism, and participatory learning and action. 

Essential skills in locating, investigating, uncovering, handling, and reporting information that are potentially detrimental to individuals or groups who would rather that the matter remain undisclosed. This teaches the student attitudes and behaviours that will enable him/her to use him/her own analysis and judgment in determining the relative worth of hidden information and the potential social benefit of its disclosure.  This discusses procedures for fact-finding, such as studying neglected resources, using anonymous sources, and going undercover.  This also includes skills in people skills, information verification, calculating risk to self and other, obtaining police or legal protection, and protecting sources and witnesses.