The thesis is an overview of the area ”planned communication” (Public Relations) within media & communication studies at Swedish universities in autumn 1999. The area has been studied through course plans, the litterature that is being used in these courses and interviews with scholars and practicians within the field. The results show that these types of course are being given at most universities, mostly at the A- och B-level. The content of the courses has a lack of a critical and rethorical perspective. The Swedish research within the area is minimal and basic research is nonexistent. The PR business is a growing working field that has a need to support and develop their work with research results. From a university perspective, it is important to research how the growing PR business effects political decisions and the content in media. The thesis also shows that there is hardly any theoretical core to Public Relations theory. The theory that is being presented in the litterature is mostly ”borrowed” from other areas such as communication theory, social science, psychology etc.