Public Relations as Activism Postmodern Approaches to Theory & Practice

This volume applies postmodern theory to public relations, providing an alternative lens to public relations theory and practice and developing public relations theory within the context of postmodernism. Author Derina R. Holtzhausen focuses on two key issues and their application to public relations theory and practice: the postmodernization of society, and the possibilities postmodern theories offer to explain and understand public relations practice in today’s changing society. Holtzhausen's argument is that existing theory should be evaluated from a postmodern perspective to determine its applicability to postmodernity. Utilizing practitioner perspectives throughout the volume, she explores the practice of public relations as a form of activism. The volume is intended for scholars and students in public relations. It may be used as a supplemental text in advanced courses on public relations theory, PR management, organizational communication, and related areas.

Preface Chapter 1 Postmodernity, Postmodernism, and Public Relations Chapter 2 Postmodern Ethics as a Foundation for Public Relations Activism Chapter 3 A Postmodern View of Public Relations History Chapter 4 Power and the Public Relations Function Chapter 5 Public Relations and the Postmodern Turn in Organization Theory Chapter 6 Public Relations Knowledge and Research in Postmodernity Chapter 7 Activism as the Postmodern Agency of Public Relations

Derina R. Holtzhausen is professor and director of the School of Media and Strategic Communications at Oklahoma State University. Her published work has appeared in Journal of Public Relations Research, Journal of Communication Management, Communicatio, Journal for Global Competitiveness, and Women in Language, among others. She is a founding editor of the International Journal of Strategic Communication.