Public Relations: Concepts, Practice and Critique

About the Book

"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.

 

Table of Contents:
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

About the Author :
Jacquie L′Etang′s books and articles have largely focused on historical, historiographical and critical themes in public relations. Recently retired, her career was spent at the University of Stirling and Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh. She currently supervises some doctoral students at QMU.

Review :
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. 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. Interesting collection of up to date and relevant essays. Useful intro to key theories and concept both for more experienced undergraduate students and for graduates new to PR. This book is very good. However, I can not adopt it for PR Management course. I think this book is better for postgraduate (i.e master and PHD studies) for resource. 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. 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. Jacqui L′Etang made a fantastic book, showing PR from totally different aspects as I learned it in the 70s. 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! A useful overview of the subject that is easily accessible for undergraduate students studying PR and promotional culture. For MA-level students as well as researchers within communications studies, this is an essential work. A valuable text on public realtions theory, written in a clear accessible to a student style, introduces main concepts and theories on public relations in a provoking and critical thinking stimulating manner. 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. Key resource for new MSIn3002 marketing Communications course 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. 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. Liked the reflective practice approach. An excellent collection of theories applicable to current and future practicioners, with useful chapter end summaries via key questions. Excellent for students of PR interested in current concepts. The book is a must for any PR/Communications programme as the author is a highly respected academic. Excellent text