W-Public Relations

This course provides a basic understanding ofypublic relations processes, practices and effects,yand focuses on public relations as a career. Ityprovides an understanding of how public relationsydecisions affect various occupations in anyincreasingly technological and interculturalyenvironment. The course reviews key socialyscience concepts, such as public opinion,ypersuasion, and systems theory, and the ethical,yanalytic, and strategic approaches used by publicyrelations professionals. Students completing thisycourse will be able to describe the history andytheories of public relations, use the basicyvocabulary of the public relations practitioner,yand recognize and discuss public relations as usedyby institutions, business, politics, government,yand other organizations. They will also be ableyto develop writing skills for public relationsytactics, use critical thinking to identifyyorganizational problems, offer appropriate publicyrelations suggestions for their solution, andyidentify the ethical implications of publicyrelations practices.