This course establishes risk communication as a distinct sub-discipline within the communication discipline. Ethical considerations are paramount in all areas covered in the course. Theories of risk communication such as mindfulness, sensemaking, chaos, image repair, issues management, the constraints of structuration, and renewal discourse are discussed in terms of pre-crisis, crisis, and post-crisis. Applied research areas such as best practices, high reliability organizations, terrorism, and health risks are also considered. Ultimately, the course provides an overview of the established and emerging perspectives on risk and crisis from the communication perspective.