UnitLevel 2Undergraduate

ATS2996 Public relations and society

Faculty of Arts

ATS2996 Public relations and society is a level 2, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Arts, offered in 2023 in Semester 1 at Caulfield. It needs ATS1280 and ATS1125 and unlocks 2 units.

Credit points
6
Offered in 2023
Semester 1
Caulfield
Assessment
No exam
3 tasks
Workload
144 hours
per semester

This is the 2023 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.

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Requisites

Overview

This unit explores the theory and practice of public relations through the lenses of society and culture. It draws on recent public relations scholarship to present diverse theoretical approaches to understanding public relations and its role in society. These socio-cultural approaches represent a shift away from the functionalist and normative understandings of public relations, which historically, and until recently, have dominated the field. Rather than viewing public relations as an organisational or management function, this unit explores public relations as a cultural activity influenced by social, political and cultural contexts, and actively involved in the construction of meaning.

The unit is structured around three broad themes:
1. Theories of public relations, introducing culture, globalisation and public relations history
2. Cultures of public relations, introducing organisational culture, popular culture and social change
3. Public relations in international and specific cultural contexts.

Offerings in 2023

Teaching periodCampusMode
First semesterCaulfieldOn campus

Assessment

  • ReflectionAssignment
    30%
  • Analytical exerciseAssignment
    20%
  • Essay
    50%

Learning outcomes

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

  1. 1

    Critically evaluate the relationship between culture and public relations, and between globalisation and public relations;

  2. 2

    Explain the links between socio-cultural contexts and public relations practice;

  3. 3

    Discuss the need for intercultural competence in public relations practice;

  4. 4

    Assess the impact of specific cultural contexts on public relations practice.

Workload and teaching

  • Tutorials24 hours
  • Lectures12 hours
  • Teaching approachEnquiry-based learning

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. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

This unit engages students in enquiry-based learning, where they will be encouraged to use their own knowledge to develop and engage in a process of enquiry, study and research to identify areas to be investigated and an approach to doing so.

Where it fits

ATS2996 is part of 1 area of study in the 2023 handbook.

Contacts

Unit Coordinators
Dr Kate Fitch
Chief Examiners
Dr Kate Fitch

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for ATS2996?

You need ATS1280 and ATS1125 before you enrol.

What can I take after ATS2996?

ATS2996 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 2 units, including ATS3254 and ATS3262.

When is ATS2996 offered?

In 2023, ATS2996 runs in Semester 1 at Caulfield.

How much work is ATS2996?

The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.

Does ATS2996 have an exam?

No. ATS2996 has 3 assessment tasks and no exam.

Which majors and minors include ATS2996?

ATS2996 is part of Public relations.

More details

Credit points
6
Level
2
Study level
Undergraduate
Faculty
Faculty of Arts
Organisational unit
Media
Type
Coursework
EFTSL
0.125
Student contribution
SCA Band 4
Study abroad
Available