Scholarship of teaching and learning

Abstract

Based on extant pedagogical and research applications of fiction to communication studies, this essay argues that fiction not only engages students and entices them to read, but also builds critical thinking and writing skills. The author used Carl Hiaasen's Native Tongue and Christopher Buckley's Thank You for Smoking as “texts” in an upper‐division public relations class to enhance student learning outcomes. Student journals, class discussion, and final exam essays all indicated that the novels helped students reflect deeply on certain ethical issues in public relations and to think critically about course content. The essay includes suggestions for using this “novel” approach to textbooks.

Keywords:

• public relations education
• fiction in professional training
• student journals
• ethics in education

Notes

Josh Boyd (PhD, Indiana University, 1998) is an assistant professor at Purdue University, Department of Communication, 100 N. University, Beering Room 2114, West Lafayette, IN, 47907. Thanks to Patrice Buzzanell for her excellent suggestions. Thanks also to the senior‐level undergraduate students who participated in the classes featured in this essay and who granted permission for me to use their writing here. Names have been changed to protect student identities. An earlier version of this paper was presented at the National Communication Association convention, New Orleans, LA, 2002. Josh Boyd can be contacted at [email protected]

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Josh Boyd

Josh Boyd (PhD, Indiana University, 1998) is an assistant professor at Purdue University, Department of Communication, 100 N. University, Beering Room 2114, West Lafayette, IN, 47907. Thanks to Patrice Buzzanell for her excellent suggestions. Thanks also to the senior‐level undergraduate students who participated in the classes featured in this essay and who granted permission for me to use their writing here. Names have been changed to protect student identities. An earlier version of this paper was presented at the National Communication Association convention, New Orleans, LA, 2002. Josh Boyd can be contacted at [email protected]