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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "COM 480"
COURSE NAME: "Senior Seminar: Media Ethics"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall Semester 2012
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Lopez Antonio
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 10:00-11:15
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:
TBA
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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. Furthermore, by examining standards of corporate social responsibility in the context of media corporations, we will also look at the dimension of business ethics in the content we analyze.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Some of the questions and themes we will try to address during the seminar are:
- 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 “truthfulness” (emotional truth vs. fact), image ethics, and deception and propaganda in a global media environment.
- 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.
- we will also explore the emerging concept of cultural citizenship, and
investigate the context in which we as consumers and producers of media
must respond.
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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 |
| Mid-term Group Presentation | <br />
<br /> | 20% |
| Midterm Paper | | 20% |
| Final Research Project | | 30% |
| Final Exam | | 20% |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
A: Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge 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 evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference 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 will result in an automatic zero for 15% of the final course grade. Excessive absences will likely result in an F.
10%
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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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TBA
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