Risk Analysis

Course detail Description

In recent years, the ideas, concepts and tools of risk analysis have come to dominate the way in which we conceive and respond to an ever-expanding range of societal threats to the environment, health, security, prosperity or even lifestyle. However, how we assess, manage, govern and communicate risk is regularly the source of political conflict, and this poses dilemmas for policymakers, public and private sector organisations and individuals alike. It is
increasingly recognised that such issues –evident in crises from food safety to banking – cannot be addressed by simple technical ‘know-how’ alone. They require understanding of the political, organisational and social contexts in which decisions are made.

Our course draws together a unique combination of risk scholarship from across the social sciences, including psychology, political science and sociology, to provide an advanced academic foundation in risk studies. In doing so, it will equip you to critically analyse risk issues in a wide range of public policy, organisational and societal settings, to evaluate the dynamics of risk governance and management options, and to develop reflexive communication strategies.

Our course is led by risk experts from the King’s Centre for Risk Management (KCRM) who are internationally recognised in their fields of scholarship, but are also close to policy and practice. Most recently, for example, Professor Ragnar Lofstedt was appointed by HM Government to lead an 8-month long Independent Review of Health and Safety Regulation. Dr Henry Rothstein has also led a 1-year project for Defra on risk-based policy-making and is currently leading a major 3 year international comparative study of risk-based governance across Europe (HowSAFE) in collaboration with Sciences Po (Paris), Bielefeld University and Maastricht University. This concern for bridging scholarship and practice is reflected in a unique three-week internship programme that has placed students in a wide range of high-level public and private sector settings. Close links with, and speakers from, government and industry also gives students insights and up-to-the-minute knowledge of the subject area.

Find out more about studying at King's and get your questions answered.

Teaching

We will teach you through a combination of lectures and seminars, and you will typically have 20 hours of this per module. We also expect you to undertake 180 hours of independent study for each module. For your 12,000 word dissertation, we will provide four workshops and five hours of one-toone supervision to complement your 587 hours of independent study. Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Assessment

Performance on taught modules in the Geography Department is normally assessed through essays and other written assignments, oral presentations, lab work and occasionally by examination, depending on the modules selected. All students also undertake a research-based dissertation of 12,000 words.

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Structure

Year 1 Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take:

• MSc – modules totalling 180 credits
• MA – modules totalling 180 credits

There are a limited number of spaces available on each optional module, and you will have the opportunity to discuss your choices with your personal tutor.

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on this course page for updates.

Whether you are an MA or MSc student, you are required to take the following modules:

• Risk Governance (20 credits)
• Risk Management (20 credits)
• Risk Communication (20 credits)
• Practising Social Research (20 credits)
• Dissertation in Risk Analysis (60 credits)

MSc students are also required to take the following module:

• Risk Assessment (20 credits)

If you are a part-time student, you should plan to take three of the required taught modules in your first year and the remaining in your second year, including the dissertation.

• Risk Internship (20 credits)
• Responding to Terrorism (20 credits) subject to approvals from the department of War Studies
• Any Level 7 (Master’s) modules offered in the Department of Geography
• Up to 20 credits from Level 7 modules offered across the university, subject to approvals