School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Foundations of Public Relations
  • Unit Code

    PRN1000
  • Year

    2021
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Mr James Leslie HALL

Description

This unit introduces students to the field of public relations and communication management in different types of groups, organisations and settings. Students develop their critical appraisal and creativity skills to sharpen their understanding of professional practice using case studies and current situations for reference. The main stages of communication plans are introduced in this unit which also examines the connection between theory and effective implementation. Ethical and risk issues in public relations practice are also reviewed.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded PRN0105, PRN2107, PRN2120, PRN2110

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Define the major public relations theory and principles.
  2. Outline public relations history and its relevance to contemporary practice through critical reflection.
  3. Develop and apply problem-solving, decision-making and creativity skills in public relations activities.
  4. Prepare a basic public relations plan to meet the requirements of actual organisations and situations while considering cultural and social needs of the audience.
  5. Recognise ethical and risk issues relevant to public relations practice.

Unit Content

  1. Relevant theories and principles from public relations, communication and the social sciences, and their application in PR practice.
  2. The history and development of public relations as a discipline.
  3. Communication planning and effective message implementation including distribution through the news media and social media.
  4. Problem-solving PR issues iindividually and in teams, including public relations research, measurement and evaluation.
  5. Ethics, risks, issues and crises.

Learning Experience

ON-CAMPUS

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECUs LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 1Not Offered13 x 1 hour lectureNot Offered
Semester 1Not Offered13 x 2 hour tutorialNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

ONLINE

Students will engage in learning experiences through ECUs LMS as well as additional ECU l

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials, case studies and guest presentations

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestOnline Concept Quiz10%
ProjectCampaign Research & Strategy (Individual)30%
ProjectCampaign Plan (Group)30%
TestKey Concept and Scenario Test30%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
TestOnline Concept Quiz10%
ProjectCampaign Research & Strategy (Individual)30%
ProjectCampaign Plan (Group)30%
TestKey Concept and Scenario Test30%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

PRN1000|1|1

School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Foundations of Public Relations
  • Unit Code

    PRN1000
  • Year

    2021
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Mr James Leslie HALL

Description

This unit introduces students to the field of public relations and communication management in different types of groups, organisations and settings. Students develop their critical appraisal and creativity skills to sharpen their understanding of professional practice using case studies and current situations for reference. The main stages of communication plans are introduced in this unit which also examines the connection between theory and effective implementation. Ethical and risk issues in public relations practice are also reviewed.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded PRN0105, PRN2107, PRN2120, PRN2110

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Define the major public relations theory and principles.
  2. Outline public relations history and its relevance to contemporary practice through critical reflection.
  3. Develop and apply problem-solving, decision-making and creativity skills in public relations activities.
  4. Prepare a basic public relations plan to meet the requirements of actual organisations and situations while considering cultural and social needs of the audience.
  5. Recognise ethical and risk issues relevant to public relations practice.

Unit Content

  1. Relevant theories and principles from public relations, communication and the social sciences, and their application in PR practice.
  2. The history and development of public relations as a discipline.
  3. Communication planning and effective message implementation including distribution through the news media and social media.
  4. Problem-solving PR issues iindividually and in teams, including public relations research, measurement and evaluation.
  5. Ethics, risks, issues and crises.

Learning Experience

ON-CAMPUS

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECUs LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 1Not Offered13 x 1 hour lectureNot Offered
Semester 1Not Offered13 x 2 hour tutorialNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

ONLINE

Students will engage in learning experiences through ECUs LMS as well as additional ECU l

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials, case studies and guest presentations

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestOnline Concept Quiz10%
ProjectCampaign Research & Strategy (Individual)30%
ProjectCampaign Plan (Group)30%
TestKey Concept and Scenario Test30%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
TestOnline Concept Quiz10%
ProjectCampaign Research & Strategy (Individual)30%
ProjectCampaign Plan (Group)30%
TestKey Concept and Scenario Test30%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

PRN1000|1|2