Examines the rhetorical themes through which President Reagan has, relative to his recent predecessors, unified the nation behind his leadership. Discusses how Reagan interweaves familiar American myths, symbols, values, and beliefs so skillfully in his rhetoric that any criticism of him or his policies is initially construed as an attack on the…

Elucidates the nature of rumor and its major predictors--personal anxiety, general uncertainty, credulity, and topical importance--from a contextual perspective. Discusses how these factors affect and predict rumor generation and transmission, and presents five general principles of rumor management. (MM)

Criticizes basing public relations efforts in art education unquestioningly upon the practices found in corporate advertising. Urges judicious use of public relations in the arts when applicable. Stresses careful application as the key to survival for the arts in a world dominated by economic and technological priorities. (KO)

A discussion of Harvard University's ethical responsibilities by the college's president considers the reasons why universities have traditionally been reluctant to take formal positions on ethical and political issues arising in the outside world. These reasons include a belief that such positions will establish an orthodoxy that may inhibit…

The proposal that Harvard University sell its stock in American corporations in South Africa is discussed by the university's president. The proposal is based on the desire that the university respond as part of a pressure group using the leverage of purchases, endowment, and prestige as a university to push for social or political ends. Many…

The question of what the university should do when it purchases goods and services from firms that are said to have acted improperly is considered by the president of Harvard University. It has been proposed that Harvard join national boycotts to force companies to stop engaging in specific practices that are thought to be improper. Several…

The ethical problems of receiving funds and the objections raised by concerned members of the university community are discussed by the president of Harvard University. It is proposed that donations be rejected that force the institution to deviate from its chosen standards of admission, or permit the donor to determine the selection of professors…

Analysis of the Wisconsin woman suffrage campaign of 1910-1920 suggests that public relations belonged not only to political or business practices, but was equally a process by which the masses achieved their own best interests in nineteenth and early twentieth century social reform movements. Woman suffragists were led by women, and the public…