F1GD 5825 - Crisis Management: Theories,Case Studies and Practices

***UPDATED for 2025/26***

The course is intended at providing students with a global view on crisis management through theories, the analysis of case studies and the practice of exercises.

Notably since the 80s, and after several industrial and natural disasters, crisis management emerged as a specific practice of strategic importance for nation states, private companies, NGOs.

Globalisation, evolution of risk appetites, immediacy of information, etc.: these factors make the environment increasingly complex to navigate, and the likelihood of adverse events increasing for organisations. To keep the trust from citizens, consumers, stakeholders, and public opinions, organisations need to anticipate and to react immediately when an unplanned situation occurs.

The last years demonstrated these challenges. With global terrorism, Covid-19, accelerating effects of climate change, quickly evolving international relations, etc.: leaders and organisations changed their approach of risks, of crisis management, and developed the concept of “resilient” countries, cities, organisations.

Through a mix of theory, case studies analysis, testimonies and exercises, the highly experienced lecturers will explain how a crisis can be anticipated and managed as efficiently as possible. But also, how countries, private companies, NGOs, improve their resilience.

Learning Outcomes

• Develop a critical analysis on how a crisis is managed, understanding key challenges and opportunities
• Enable students to support the development of crisis management capacities in an organization
• Be able to take an active and constructive role in the management of a crisis, as part of a team

Professional Skills

• Foundation of critical analysis, specific to crisis management
• Foundation in risk assessment and mitigation
• Foundation of international crisis management theories and practices
• Oral & written communication adapted to crisis management
• Teamwork

A mix of lectures, discussions, case studies, individual and group work will provide the students with the different angles of analysis on crisis management.

Students will be assessed on

• Classroom individual assessment 50%
• Participation in the crisis management exercises 40%
• Class participation 10%

• In Class Presence: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Research and Preparation for Individual and Group Work: average workload