COMM 3321: Communication in Global Contexts
Course Description
Curious to learn more about how the practice of public relations varies around the globe? Interested in exploring how corporations, NGOs, and other entities navigate political, economic, and social landscapes to communicate with stakeholders in a variety of countries? Want to get a broader understanding of public relations beyond just publicity? If so, join us. Each class member will select a region of the world and explore its communication practices, challenges, and customs in depth. We’ll blend theory, practice, and current events to share insights and stretch our thinking about the intricacies of global public relations in an interdisciplinary setting. Public Relations and Comm Studies majors can earn degree credit, but all majors are welcome.
Instructor Biography
Dr. Sandra Duhé is associate professor and director of SMU’s new degree program in public relations and strategic communications in the Division of Communication Studies, Meadows School of the Arts. She is a former public affairs manager for three multinational oil companies, including ExxonMobil, with extensive experience in corporate branding, media relations, community outreach, and crisis response. Her interdisciplinary education includes degrees in business, communication, applied economics, and political economy. Dr. Duhé’s research into how political economy affects organizations’ public relations practices has been published in leading journals and texts.
Learning Outcomes and Benefits
Students in this course will expand their understanding of global public relations by:
- Investigating how politics, economics, and civil society intertwine to affect public relations practice in various parts of the world
- Examining various perspectives on globalization, activism, and the role of the state in the marketplace
- Analyzing how editorial freedom and emerging media affect public relations practice
- Aligning current events with class discussions
- Interacting with guest speaker Dr. Krishnamurthy Sriramesh, the leading scholar in global public relations research