6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL
Undergraduate - Unit
Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.
Faculty
Organisational Unit
South Africa School of Social Science
Chief examiner(s)
Coordinator(s)
Unit guides
Prohibitions
PRL1001, PRJ2221, ATS1897
Synopsis
The principal aim of the unit is to provide students with the theoretical underpinnings of public relations principles and practice in contemporary society. The unit explains the contexts and scope of public relations within South Africa, the African continent and internationally. It addresses the pivotal role that public relations plays in the organisational setting, the business environment and society at large. A stakeholder centred, strategic and integrative approach is followed and explored through the use of appropriate case studies and applied activities.
Outcomes
On completion of the unit, students will be expected to be able to:
- Give a critical exposition of the history, concepts, context and scope of public relations practice.
- Critically discuss several theoretical approaches to, and models and processes of, public relations practice.
- Describe the practice of public relations as an art, a communication science and a management function.
- Critique current public relations practices in terms of core organisational values and ethics by analysing South African case studies.
- Identify and describe basic local and global environmental trends and changes that impact on organisations and influence public relations practice.
- Explain the use of public relations techniques in specific contexts, such as: business and industry, government and politics, non-profit organisations, health care and education.
- Develop and apply stakeholder mapping techniques.
Assessment
Within semester assessment: 70% + Exam: 30%
Workload requirements
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. A unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.
See also Unit timetable information