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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "COM 480"
COURSE NAME: "Media Ethics"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring Semester 2012
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Lopez Antonio
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 14:30-15:45
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisites: COM 311 and COM 470, with the exception of the University of Milan Dual Degree students
OFFICE HOURS:
By appointment
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This senior seminar focuses on the study and
application of ethical standards in a variety of communication
environments. Classical ethical concepts and issues in communication
will be explored, as well as alternative methods and ideas aimed at
evaluating and responding to
communication problems in the context of global media.
Whereas traditional media ethics focuses on situational responses
to ethical dilemmas, in this course we focus on the ethics of production
and
consumption of media in a globalized media environment.
We will explore the emerging concept of cultural citizenship, and
investigate the context in which we as consumers and producers of media
must respond.
By examining standards of corporate social responsibility in the
context of media corporations, we will also look at the dimension of
whether or not business ethics plays a roll in the content we analyze.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This senior seminar focuses on the study and application of ethical standards in a variety of communication contexts. Classical and ethical concepts and issues in communication will be explored with a focus on the concept of cultural citizenship and the cultural commons. We will also explore alternative methods and ideas aimed at evaluating and responding to communication problems in the context of global climate change, the food crisis and terrorism. What are the ethical dilemmas faced by a media system when it confronts something outside its normal parameter of reality construction? Are activist responses that use manipulative media tactics ethical? Additional topics include “truthiness” (emotional truth vs. fact), image ethics, and deception and propaganda in a global media environment. By examining standards of corporate social responsibility in the context of media corporations, we’ll also explore the dimension of whether or not business ethics play a roll in the content we analyze.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will understand the essential ethical conflicts underlying a global media system impacted by multinational business concerns, political pressure, and citizen groups. We’ll examine how symbol distribution is an important component of how media communicate and structure our view of the world. Within this context students will build their own concept of media ethics as consumers, producers and citizens. Through media analysis tools students will also comprehend the evolving standard of truth in an age of changing production techniques, and the rise of new activist strategies aimed at clarifying social and political morality.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Handbook of Mass Media Ethics | Lee Wilkins and Clifford Christians | Routledge | 978-0-8058-6192-1 | | | | | |
| Why Voice Matters | Nick Couldry | Sage | 9781848606623 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Class participation/attendance | This course involves a lot of in-class viewing of media and discussion. Therefore attendance and participation is an essential part of the class. More than three unexcused absences will result in an automatic zero for 15% of the final course grade. Excessive absences will likely result in an F. | 10% |
| Mid-term Group Presentation | | 20% |
| Midterm Paper | | 20% |
| Final Research Project | | 30% |
| Final Exam | | 20% |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
Assessment Guidelines for assigning main letter grades: A, B, C,D, and F.
A:
Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised
and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensiveknowledge of
relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the
ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of
novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant
amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
B: This is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.
There is a demonstration of some
ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to
practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not
simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work
does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence
of reading beyond the required assignments.
C:
This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that
are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the
lectures and reference readings.
D: This level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.
Important information is omitted and
irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough
to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
F:
This work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues
raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is
irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
This course involves a lot of in class viewing of media and discussion.
Therefore attendance and participation is an essential part of the
class. More than three unexcused absences and excessive tardiness will
gravely impact the course grade and can result in an F.
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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The following schedule is subject to change. Please see the instructor for updates.
| 1 |
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Intro to basic concepts |
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Journalism Code of Ethics |
http://tinyurl.com/ylfb554 |
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Marketing Code of Ethics |
http://tinyurl.com/yktg9pq |
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Short History (ch. 2) |
Handbook |
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Moral Development (ch. 4) |
Handbook |
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Overview of moral and ethical philosophy |
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Buddhist Moral Ethics (21) |
Handbook |
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Search for Universals (ch. 5) |
Handbook |
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Freedom of Expression (ch. 23) |
Handbook |
| 3 |
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Corporate social responsibility and regulation |
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Communitarianism (22) |
Handbook |
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Media Ownership in corporate age (24) |
Handbook |
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WWF: Good News and Bad |
http://tinyurl.com/8okccs |
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Mediapolis -- challenges of globalized media space |
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chs. 1-2 |
Media and Morality |
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Global media ecology (ch. 28) |
Handbook |
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Mediapolis cont. |
Case study: 9/11 |
chs. 3-4 |
Media and Morality |
| 6 |
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Mediapolis cont. |
Media Literacy |
chs. 5-7 |
Media and Morality |
| 7 |
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Public vs. Corp. Media |
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"A pubic service for all" (read only pp 12-23) |
http://tinyurl.com/3tddab8 |
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Changing Media: Public Interest in the Digital Age (read only ch. 10, pp 257-85) |
http://worldbridgermedia.com/pdf/changing_media.pdf |
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"Through the Looking Glass" |
http://www.worldbridgermedia.com/mediaenvironment/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/looking_glass.pdf |
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Midterm |
Presentations |
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| 9 |
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New Media |
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Digital Ethics (ch. 18) |
Handbook |
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Eroding Boundaries (ch. 13) |
Handbook |
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Essential Share Values (ch. 3) |
Handbook |
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Ethical Spectacle |
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Dream: Ethical Spectacle |
http://tinyurl.com/2ubm8sw |
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Media as Practice |
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Transparency (ch. 16) |
Handbook |
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Truth and Ojectivity (ch. 6) |
Handbook |
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Photojournalism Ethics (ch. 7) |
Handbook |
| 12 |
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Wikileaks and Fourth Estate |
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A Free Irresponsible Press, Yochai Benkler |
http://www.benkler.org/Benkler_Wikileaks_current.pdf |
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Mediactive |
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Mediactive (pt. 1 pp. 1-60), Dan Gillmor |
http://mediactive.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/mediactive_gillmor.pdf |
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| 14 |
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Wrap-up |
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