3 ECTS credits
75 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 8020303GNR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (G) Postgraduate - preliminary level.

Semester
2nd semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Taught in
English
Faculty
Faculty of Social Sciences & SolvayBusinessSchool
Department
ES Academische eenheid
Educational team
Decaan ES (course titular)
Activities and contact hours
9 contact hours Lecture
15 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content
  • Course introduction and overview of crisis management and decision-making as a challenge for leaders in any organization; similarities and differences between government and private sector crisis management and decision-making; definitions, histories, theories and comparative perspectives; and, the larger and dynamic geopolitical and economic climates.
  • Forecasting changes; preparation; managing change and responding to surprise; time compression in decision-making; and, securing essential functions.
  • Assessing strategies and tools for crisis management and decision-making; limitations of various instruments and organizational structures; awareness and management of multi-directional information flows; and, case study comparisons.
  • Crisis escalation, de-escalation and prevention; the roles of third parties and intermediaries.
  • In-depth studies of public and private sector crises; lessons learned; and, recovery and reform.
  • SIMULEX: class-wide exercise on crisis-management and decision-making.
  • A Sample of Case Studies include: Global Financial Crisis 2008, Islamic radicalization and recent acts of terror, management of environmental disasters, Cyber attacks and corporate espionage.
Course material
Course text (Recommended) : Crisis Management and Decision Making
Additional info

Study material

The syllabus and an electronic reader comprised of selected writings (books and journal articles) and case studies will be provided by the professor.

Complementary study material

Professor will provide a list of additional recommended and suggested readings as needed.

(!) The teaching and assessment format of this course is subject to change if the minimum number of students isn’t reached.

Learning Outcomes

General comptences

This course is designed to acquaint students not only with the extensive literature and methodologies relevant to the study of crises, but also with the extensive series of complex and diverse cases across multiple disciplines that have befuddled leaders in governments, the armed forces and the business community.  The course is designed to provide students and practitioners with a more robust understanding of crisis management and decision-making to include: contingency planning and appropriate indications and warning signs; immediate crisis action responses, communications requirements, and organizational structures and performance metrics; recovery planning and operations; and, after-action reviews and long-range re-assessments and reforms.

Students will become familiar with ‘classic works’ on specific crises, crisis management and decision making (theory, history, analyses, policies and memoirs) as well as be exposed to more contemporary events at the corporate, national and international levels.  Students will learn to think critically and will be prepared to offer deeper insights into the challenges of crisis management and decision making, paying particular attention to the opportunities that are presented in every crisis.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 50% of the final mark.
Other Exam determines 50% of the final mark.

Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Oral Exam with a relative weight of 50 which comprises 50% of the final mark.

Within the Other Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Class Exercise with a relative weight of 50 which comprises 50% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

(!) The teaching and assessment format of this course is subject to change if the minimum number of students isn’t reached.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Postgraduate Certificate Economic Diplomacy: Standaard traject
Postgraduate Certificate International Trade and Investment: Standaard traject
Postgraduate Certificate Flagship Programme in Economic Diplomacy and International Business: Standaard traject