PR Ethics, Diverse Cultures, and Cross-Cultural Leadership
ADPR 5930/7930
3 hours
PR Ethics, Diverse Cultures, and Cross-Cultural Leadership
Course Description
Examines the intersection of public relations ethics in
communicating with domestic and global multicultural publics.
Case studies and theory are applied to contemporary situations
exploring how economics and politics affect issues of inclusion,
corporate purpose, communication, and leadership across cultures.
Considerations for avoiding marginalization are analyzed.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students: Graduate students will complete an additional case study
report/presentation or propose a theoretically driven research
paper to be approved by the instructor.
Athena Title
PR Ethics and Culture
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in ADPR 5930E or ADPR 7930E
Prerequisite
ADPR 5910 and ADPR 5120 and (MARK 3000 or MARK 3000E or MARK 3000H or MARK 3001 or MARK 3001E or MARK 3001H) and permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will understand how to explain how ethical theory and professional ethical codes apply to communicating across cultures.
Students will understand how to analyze public relations best practices by comparing cases concerning communicating within U.S. subcultures (e.g., socioeconomic groups, racial/ethnic groups, gender, age, geography, people with disabilities) and bridging communication across international contexts.
Students will understand how to develop a case study to compare business practices, multicultural leadership challenges, or a public relations campaign in two different countries and compare cultural values and meanings across situations.
Students will understand how to apply analytical and critical-thinking skills to effectively assess current issues, challenges, and opportunities in global public relations and multicultural communications.
Students will understand how to critique ethical standards of communication professionals by examining how similarities and differences across cultures help or hinder their professional relationships.
Students will understand how to strengthen critical thinking and analytical skills, as demonstrated through class discussion, leading discussion, guest speakers, reflection papers, and comprehensive case study.
Topical Outline
Week 1: Ethical Standards in Business and the Public Relations Profession
Week 2: Theories of Public Relations Ethics: Responsibility and Accountability
Week 3: Understanding the Basics of Culture and Communication
Week 4: Ethics and Communicating About Difference
Week 5: Defining a Vision for Multicultural Communication and Corporate Purpose
Week 6: Intercultural Competence and Contemporary Leadership
Week 7: Theories and Practices for Resolving Cultural Conflict
Week 8: Negotiating Relationships with Multicultural Activist Publics
Week 9: Risk Communication and Vulnerable Multicultural Publics
Week 10: Ethics and Leadership in Public Relations: Examples from Multinationals
Week 11: Cultivating Moral Relationships: PR Leaders and Followers in PR Ethics
Week 12: Leadership Styles and Ethical Decision-Making in Diverse Cultures
Week 13: The Role of Business Ethics: If It’s Legal is it Ethical?
Week 14: Global Cultures and Corporate Citizenship: Rationale and Strategies
Week 15: Finalize Case Study Reports and Presentations
