Public Relations Theories and Ethics (RPS 591) | GSÜ

Content

Objective

This course aims to describe basic knowledge on theories, models and concepts of public relations discipline which is the most applied field of strategic communication, as well as ethical issues related to this particular domain will be discussed. In this course public relations will not only be studied by a managerial and instrumental perspective, but as a social activity and social phenomenon, aiming to bring an analytical and critical perspective to students.

Course Content

Public relations theories and models
Strategic communication and PR as a social phenomenon
Public manipulation and new forms of propaganda
Ethical decision making
Corporate social responsibility and sustainability

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course student can;

1. Acknowledge public relations theories and models.
2. Acknowledge ethical principles in public relations domain and question ethical issues.
3. Realize strategic communication practices.
4. Realize analytical and ethical questioning on public relations domain.

Teaching and Learning Methods

Presentations
Discussions
Case study analysis

References

Lecture notes.
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CHOMSKY Noam, Medya Denetimi: Immediast Bildirgesi. 2. Baskı, İstanbul: Tüm Zamanlar Yayıncılık, 1995.
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CUTLIP S.M., CENTER A.H. ve BROOM G.M., Effective Public Relations, 8th. Edition, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall International, 2000.

ÇINARLI İnci, Stratejik İletişim Yönetimi, İstanbul: Beta Yayınları, 2010.
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ERDOĞAN İrfan, İletişimi Anlamak, Ankara: Erk Yayınları, 2002.
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ERDOĞAN İrfan, Teori ve Pratikte Halkla İlişkiler, Ankara: Erk Yayınları, 2006.
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EWEN Stuart, PR! A Social History of Spin. New York: Basic Books, 1996.
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GRUNIG James E. ve HUNT Todd. Managing Public Relations, New York: Holt, Reinehart ve Wilson Inc., 1984.
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IHLEN Øyvind, VAN RULER Betteke ve FREDRIKSSON Magnus, Public Relations and Social Theory: Key Figures and Concepts, New York: Routledge, 2009.
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JOWETT Garth S. ve O’DONNELL Victoria, Propaganda and Persuasion, 4th. Ed., California: Sage Publications, 2006.
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L’ETANG, Jacquie ve PIECZKA, Magda (der.), Halkla İlişkilerde Eleştirel Yaklaşımlar. Ankara: Vadi Yayınları, 2002.
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OKAY Ayla ve OKAY Aydemir ,Halka İlişkiler Kavram, Strateji ve Uygulamaları, Genişletilmiş 3.Basım, İstanbul: Der Yayınları, 2007.
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PELTEKOĞLU BALTA Filiz, Halkla İlişkiler Nedir?, 4. Baskı, Beta Yayınları: İstanbul, 2006.
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PRATKANIS Anthony ve ARONSON Elliot, Propaganda Çağı: İknanın Gündelik Kullanımı ve Suistimali, Çev.Nagihan Haliloğlu, İstanbul: Paradigma Yayınları, 2008.

Weekly Contents

Theory Topics
Week	Weekly Contents
1	Definition of the discipline of public relations and PR in the 21st century: “Strategic Communication Management”
2	Historical development process of public relations
3	Public relations models (Grunig &Hunt)
4	Theories of public relations and critical method
5	Public manipulation, misinformation-disinformation, spin… (ex. Iraqi War)
6	Globalization and international communication agencies / Perception management, reputation management, public diplomacy
7	Public relations and ethics (introduction to philosophy of ethics: Aristotle, Hobbes, Bentham, Mill, Kant…
8	Mid-term exam
9	Ethical decision making and ethical decision mechanisms (exp. Laura Nash, Sissela Bok, Potter Box..) / Ethic models in public relations practices / Analyse of case studies.
10	The concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR): Sustainable development, SA8000, ‘fair-trade’ etc.
11	Strategic communication management and campaign design-I
12	Strategic communication management and campaign design-II / Campaign analyses examples
13	News management.
14	Social theory and public relations (Weber, Bourdieu, Foucault, Giddens...).

Assessment System

Contribution to Overall Grade
Activities	Number	Contribution
Contribution of in-term studies to overall grade	1	40
Contribution of final exam to overall grade	1	60
Total	2	100

In-Term Studies
Activities	Number	Contribution
Assignments	0	0
Presentation	0	0
Midterm Examinations (including preparation)	1	40
Project	0	0
Laboratory	0	0
Other Applications	0	0
Quiz	0	0
Term Paper/ Project	1	60
Portfolio Study	0	0
Reports	0	0
Learning Diary	0	0
Thesis/ Project	0	0
Seminar	0	0
Other	0	0
Make-up	0	0
Total	2	100

Relation of Proficiency

No	Program Learning Outcomes	Contribution
No	Program Learning Outcomes	1	2	3	4	5
1	He/she acquires the knowledge and skills necessary to produce and manage effective communication strategies in digital platforms.				X
2	He/she knows and interprets theoretical approaches concerning the main dynamics of the information society.					X
3	He/she interprets, evaluates and analyses the data using high level theoretical and practical knowledge and skills in the field of public relations and advertising and he/she proposes solutions.					X
4	He/she knows the developments and innovations in the fields of communication and information technologies and he/she interprets them through a critical approach.					X
5	He/she knows and uses research, assessment and presentation techniques in the social sciences.				X

ECTS

Activities	Number	Period	Total Workload
Class Hours	14	3	42
Working Hours out of Class	14	-1	-14
Assignments	2	10	20
Presentation	0	0	0
Midterm Examinations (including preparation)	1	10	10
Project	0	0	0
Laboratory	0	0	0
Other Applications	0	0	0
Final Examinations (including preparation)	0	0	0
Quiz	0	0	0
Term Paper/ Project	1	20	20
Portfolio Study	0	0	0
Reports	0	0	0
Learning Diary	0	0	0
Thesis/ Project	0	0	0
Seminar	0	0	0
Other	0	0	0
Make-up	0	0	0
Yıl Sonu	0	0	0
Hazırlık Yıl Sonu	0	0	0
Hazırlık Bütünleme	0	0	0
Total Workload			78
Total Workload / 25			3.12
Credits ECTS			3