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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "COM 480"
COURSE NAME: "Senior Capstone Project in Media Ethics"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2014
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Antonio Lopez
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 6:00 PM 7:15 PM
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:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This senior capstone course culminates the coursework in communications by focusing on the study and application of ethical standards in a variety of communication environments. Classical and alternative ethical frameworks are explored in order to evaluate and respond to communication problems in the context of global media and cultural citizenship. Through the analysis of case studies, students explore how the structure of media organizations impact ethical decision-making and learn to develop self-reflective media practice.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

As a senior seminar, this class is designed to culminate the accumulated skills, wisdom and theory from previous communications courses. Assignments are designed to reflect the learning outcomes of the course.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

The course outcomes and method of evaluation will be aligned with the core mission of the communications department. Students should be able to:

 

  1. Identify the major debates, controversies, dilemmas and conflicts in media studies.
  2. Debate the ethical dilemmas of contemporary media practices.
  3. Apply multidisciplinary theoretical perspectives to specific media case studies.
  4. Critically assess institutional and individual media practices.
  5. Perform graduate level academic work.
  6. Model intercultural communication in a globalized media environment.
  7. Interpret representation in media texts.
  8. Demonstrate competency in media literacy (information, visual, technological and textual).
  9. Develop self-reflective media practice through the creation of a professional portfolio.
  10. Communicate effectively in a variety of formats (oral, written and multimedia).
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Handbook of Mass Media Ethics Lee Wilkins and Clifford G. Christian (eds.) Routledge0805861920     
Normative Theories of the Media, Clifford G. Christians, Theodore L. Glasser, Denis McQuail, Kaarle Nordenstreng and Robert A. WhiteUniversity of Illinois Press9780252076183     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Midterm group presentation Students will form groups to investigate the ethical practices of different media organization models. Group presentations will present their findings by focusing on case studies and ethical scandals. 20%
Midterm paper Write a memo to "Global Media Corporation" (a fictional company) that proposes a change in policy in which five concrete ethical policies can be implemented. 20%
News curation websiteCurate an ethical media scandal using a news curation tool on the web. Create the website and write an evaluation paper.30%
Final Exam  20%
Attendance and participation More than three unexcused absences will result in an automatic loss of a letter grade and will impact your final evaluation. 10%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork 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
BThis 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.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis 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.
FThis 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:
More than three unexcused absences results in an automatic loss of a letter grade.
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.
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.
SCHEDULE

This schedule is subject to change.

1        Intro to basic concepts            

                Journalism Code of Ethics    http://tinyurl.com/ylfb554
                Marketing Code of Ethics    http://tinyurl.com/yktg9pq
                Short History (ch. 2)    Handbook
                Moral Development (ch. 4)    Handbook

2        Overview of moral and ethical philosophy            
                Global media ecology (ch. 28)    Handbook
                Buddhist Moral Ethics (21)    Handbook
                Search for Universals (ch. 5)    Handbook
                Freedom of Expression (ch. 23)    Handbook

3        Corporate social responsibility and regulation            
                Communitarianism (22)    Handbook
                Media Ownership in corporate age (24)    Handbook
                WWF: Good News and Bad    http://tinyurl.com/8okccs

4        Public Media and audience-supported media        
chs. 1-2,     Media and Morality Handbook

5       Normative Theories of the Media: Intro, Ch. 1

6       Normative Theories of the Media: Chs. 4-5, 10

7        Midterm Presentations  

8        Midterm Presentations

9        Wikileaks and Fourth Estate   A Free Irresponsible Press, Yochai Benkler    http://www.benkler.org/Benkler_Wikileaks_current.pdf     

10       New Media  Digital Ethics (ch. 18)    http://tinyurl.com/2ubm8sw
                Eroding Boundaries (ch. 13)    Handbook
                Essential Share Values (ch. 3)    Handbook

11        Ethical Spectacle        Dream: Ethical Spectacle    http://tinyurl.com/2ubm8sw

12       Media as Practice            
                Transparency (ch. 16)    Handbook
                Truth and Ojectivity (ch. 6)    Handbook
                Photojournalism Ethics (ch. 7)    Handbook

13        Mediactive        

Mediactive  (pt. 1), Dan Gillmor    http://mediactive.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/mediactive_gillmor.pdf
                    
14        Wrap-up