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Public Relations
Concepts, Practice and Critique



November 2007 | 304 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

"An excellent text for encouraging students to think critically about key public relations issues. Not only does it help students to develop a deeper appreciation of public relations, it also helps them to develop valuable learning skills."
- Amanda Coady, The Hague University

"A typically excellent piece of work from Jacquie L'Etang. Critical of every basic concept and provocative to all students. Ideal for second and final year undergraduates, plus MA students."
- Chris Rushton, Sunderland University

"Extending beyond the usual bounds of insularity, this text is designed to encourage critical thought in students and improve practice in workplaces. A refreshing read that is consistently inventive enough to attain both aims."
- David McKie, Waikato Management School


"At long last fills a void in the landscape of text books on public relations theory and practice... it develops critical thinking skills while exposing interdisciplinary approaches and providing a very solid foundation for lively debate and further study
- Julia Jahansoozi, University of Central Lancashire

This book introduces students to the key concepts in Public Relations, with 12 chapters providing clear and careful explanations of concepts such as:
  • Reputation
  • Risk
  • Impression management
  • Celebrity
  • Ethics
  • Persuasion and propaganda
  • Emotional and spiritual dimensions of management
  • Promotional culture and globalization

Drawing on a wide range of interdisciplinary sources, Jacquie L'Etang also encourages students to think critically about public relations as an occupation. Student exercises, 'critical reflections', vignettes and 'discipline boxes' help students to widen their intellectual perspective on the subject, and to really engage the thinking that has shaped both the discipline and practice of public relations.

 

 
Introduction
Critical Thinking and Interdisciplinary Perspectives

 
 
Public Relations
Defining the Discipline and the Practice

 
 
Reputation, Image and Impression Management
 
Risk, Issues and Ethics
 
Public Affairs and the Public Sphere
 
Media Perspectives
Critique, Effects and Evaluation

 
 
Health Communication and Social Marketing
 
Public Relations and Management
 
Organizational Communication
Understanding and Researching Organizations

 
 
Public Relations in 'Promotional Culture' and 'in Everyday Life'
 
Public Relations in a Globalized World
 
Key Thinkers and Thought in Public Relations

L’Etang reinvents the textbook genre in form and content while simultaneously investing it with élan and serious fun in a reflective and theoretically informed fashion. Extending beyond the usual bounds of insularity, this text is designed to encourage critical thought in students and improve practice in workplaces. A refreshing read that is consistently inventive enough to attain both aims.

David McKie
Waikato Management School

At long last fills a void in the landscape of text books on public relations theory and practice. This book is of immense value for students embarking on a public relations programme of study at the undergraduate or postgraduate level... The book’s core strength is that it develops critical thinking skills while exposing interdisciplinary approaches and providing a very solid foundation for lively debate and further study.

Julia Jahansoozi
University of Central Lancashire

The entire book will be used to guide students in during lectures and seminars. This book includes the PR fundamentals and are very well designed for undergraduate courses.

Dr Indrani Lahiri
Communications , De Montfort University
March 31, 2016

Excellent text

Professor Daniel Valentine
Department Business Studies, Regent's University
June 4, 2015

The critical approach taken in Jacquie L'Etang's book is refreshing in the field of public relations. L'Etang restores academic confidentiality with this book, which I highly reccommend to lecturers and students at University level classes. The book truly expands the ideas of what's at stake in Public Relations, and provides a solid basis for new generations of innovative PR students and practitioners. Well done!

Mr Magne Kolstad
Languages, Culture & Aesthetics Dept, Aalborg University
August 27, 2014

Jacquie L'Etang's 'Public Relations; Concepts, Practice and Critique' encourages students to engage in critical thinking from the first pages. The book assists students with key public relations concepts and challenges students to exam communication management from an array of perspectives. It comes highly recommended.

Mrs Stephanie Goodwin
Communication, Marketing and Public Relations, University of Central Lancashire
February 17, 2014

For MA-level students as well as researchers within communications studies, this is an essential work.

Mrs Anna karina Kjeldsen
Aarhus School of Business, Aarhus University
June 24, 2013

An interesting and useful resource for students of Public Relations. The book contains varied exercises and suggestions for further reading as well as discussion of concepts, so will achieve and maintain the interest of its readers.

Mrs Chris Hall
CEIS, Northumbria University
April 30, 2013

Very good textbook. Already in the recommended texts for research works and final courses thesis.
I have ask my library to purchase it for students.

Miss Sonia Sebastiao
School of Social and Political Science, Technical University of Lisbon
December 15, 2012

Liked the reflective practice approach.

Ms Bonnie McEwan
School of Public Engagement, New School University
April 5, 2012

Sample Materials & Chapters

Introduction PDF

Preface

References


For instructors

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Paperback
ISBN: 9781412930482
£48.99

Hardcover
ISBN: 9781412930475
£152.00