Understanding difference: public relations instructors' conceptualization of diversity and its use in the classroom

There is currently little scholarly research on public relations education, less on diversity education in public relations and none that looks at how professors define diversity and how they pass the message to their students. In-depth interviews, via telephone, were used to understand how public relations instructors conceptualize diversity, specifically ethnic and racial diversity, and how they present the message to their students. Definitions of diversity proved just as diverse as the people providing them. However, the definitions were not all in line with Banks conceptualization of truly embracing difference. Some instructors saw the value in diversity, but their inclusion of diversity was not effective according to Critical Race Theorists standards. Identity played a major role both in the conceptualization and the practice of diversity.