COMM 2254-Media Ethics Fall 2001
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COMM 2254-Media Ethics Fall 2001
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COMM 2254: Media Ethics Tuesday/Thursday 3:30-4:45 p.m. Room 207, Humanities Building Fall 2001 GENERAL INFORMATION Instructor: Bradford L. Yates, Ph.D. Office: Humanities 144 Department of Mass Communications and Theatre Arts State University of West Georgia Office Hours: T/R 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Telephone: (770) 836-4564 E-mail: byates@westga.edu Web site: http://www.westga.edu/~byates Important Note: Read this entire course syllabus carefully. You are responsible for all the information contained herein. Ignorance of the policies of the class will not be an acceptable excuse. OFFICE HOURS I am available to address matters of concern during my office hours. If those hours are not convenient, please schedule an appointment with me. If you visit my office at other times, I may not be available because of other duties I must attend to. If you have problems in the class, it is YOUR responsibility to initiate contact with me. I cannot help you if you do not communicate with me. Let me know of any problems early in the semester. I will not accept excuses for poor performance or missing exams, especially late in the semester. TEXT & ADDITIONAL READINGS Day, L. A. (2000). Ethics in media communications: Cases and controversies (3rd ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Additional readings from selected textbooks, newspapers, magazines, and web sites will be assigned throughout the semester as well as the viewing/listening of various television and radio programs. *It is not possible to successfully complete the requirements of COMM 2254 without reading the textbook and additional materials. ABOUT THE COURSE COMM 2254 involves an examination of ethical decision-making models and their application to media issues, particularly freedom of speech, explicit content, invasion of privacy, and the public’s rights. Learner Outcomes: By the end of the course you will:
You are expected to analyze and respond to issues through readings, discussions, and research. Assigned readings should be completed prior to class. Informed participation in class discussions is expected. Lectures will expound on central concepts in readings, introducing information from sources other than assigned text(s). You are responsible for learning all material presented in class and assigned text(s). It is also your responsibility to make use of office hours to discuss lecture and reading material that is unclear to you. GRADING POLICY Grades earned in this class are based solely on the following: Mid-term Exam 100 points Final Exam 100 points Abstracts (2) 100 points Case Study Analysis 100 points Case Study Analysis Presentation 50 points Attendance/Class Participation 50 points Total 500 points Grading Scale: Points needed to receive grade A 450-500 B 400-449 C 350-399 D 300-349 F 299 and below ATTENDANCE Here is the general policy for the course. You need to attend every scheduled class session. Please be on time. I’ll take attendance. If you miss more than fifteen (15) minutes of a class session or are not present, I’ll need to consider you "absent." You have three (3) excused absences, so use them judiciously and sparingly (i.e., car trouble, minor illness, job interview, etc.). Ten points will be deducted for each absence in excess of three. (For example, you will lose 20 points if you miss 5 total classes for the semester). (Excessive absences will result in failure of the course). You may not use your personal days on examination days or on days on which you are scheduled to present in class. An unexcused absence from an examination will result in zero credit on the missed exam. An unexcused absence on a presentation day will result in zero credit on the missed presentation. Note: It is your responsibility to be aware of your attendance. You should see me at any point during the semester if you have any questions whatsoever about this policy or your attendance – the sooner the better. Excused absences: Absences may be excused when due to unavoidable situations substantiated with documentation. Acceptable situations include a serious incapacitating illness or a death in your family, among others. Requests for excused absences will not be considered unless made in writing prior to the absence in question unless there are extreme circumstances that did not allow for a prior request. I certainly understand that unforeseen things can happen to anyone. Please try to work things out with me in advance if at all possible. Handouts: You are responsible for collecting all handouts at the time they are distributed. If you are absent, you have ONE WEEK to collect the materials. After one week, do not ask me for copies of handouts. I will not keep extra copies! It is also YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to take notes and take exams as scheduled, especially if you are a graduating senior. EXAMINATIONS Exams: There will be a mid-term exam and a cumulative final exam based on lectures, class discussions, and assigned readings and viewings. The format of the exams will be a combination of objective (multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, matching, listing) and subjective (short answer and essay) questions. The date and time of the Final Exam has been scheduled by the University and generally is not subject to change. You are expected to be on time for each exam. No one will be allowed to begin an exam after one student in the class has completed the exam and left the room unless you are late due to an unavoidable situation substantiated with documentation. No one is allowed to leave the room for any reason during an exam unless he or she becomes too ill to complete the exam. Therefore, all needs (water, restroom, etc.) should be taken care of before entering the exam room. Early and make-up exams are administered ONLY in cases of absence due to unavoidable situations substantiated with documentation. Requests for early exams must be made at least one week prior to the exam, and requests for make-up exams must be made within two hours of the exam. Contact the professor or leave a message, including a contact number, at 770-836-4564. Make-up exams must be completed during the current semester at a time determined by the professor. Examination Material: You are responsible for bringing two No. 2 pencils and a scantron to class on exam days. Purchase two pink scantron forms No. 229629 at the university bookstore. ABSTRACTS AND CASE PRESENTATIONS For the first abstract, you will select a case study from the textbook and write a 3-4-page abstract and critical analysis following the SAD Model of Reasoning. For the second abstract, you will choose from a list of case studies I will provide and write a 3-4-page abstract and critical analysis based on the Potter Box. For the case presentation, you will be assigned to a group and conduct a panel discussion of a media ethics issue – I will give a choice of cases. You will need to write up a 5-7 page ethical analysis of your case and turn it in the day of the presentation. I will give you further instructions on both of these projects, and due dates are in the schedule. CLASS DISCUSSION AND PARTICIPATION You will need to complete each reading assignment before the scheduled class session. You need to read carefully and critically, take notes, and be prepared to intelligently discuss and apply the material in class discussion and activities. I’ll keep track of participation for each scheduled class session. Note: If you have any questions or concerns about how you are doing on class participation during the semester, please let me know – the sooner the better. INTERNET AND E-MAIL It will be necessary to keep in contact with one another via e-mail and the Internet. You will be responsible for checking the class web site http://webct.westga.edu/on a regular basis for announcements and discussion topics. You must have an e-mail account that you check regularly for this course. If you do not have one, please get one set up as soon as possible. I will provide more details about our use of the Information Superhighway as the semester progresses.ACADEMIC DISHONESTY Academic dishonesty is NOT tolerated. It will result in failure on assignment(s) as well as possible disciplinary sanction(s) as stipulated by university rules. State University of West Georgia Student Conduct Code defines academic dishonesty as cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and facilitating or allowing academic dishonesty in any academic exercise. Cheating using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information or study aids Fabrication falsification or unauthorized invention of any information or citation Plagiarism representing the words or ideas of another as one's own. Direct quotations must be indicated and ideas of another must be appropriately acknowledged. Academic dishonesty in any form compromises your grade and lowers the quality of your diploma. A fellow student who cheats may actually lower your grade, sometimes causing unfair and inflated grading scales. I hope each of you values your college education enough to protect yourself from dishonest classmates. If you are aware of cheating taking place, please contact Dr. Glenn Novak, chair of the Department of Mass Communications and Theatre Arts, or me and proper action will be taken. SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS I will make special arrangements for students with special needs. Don’t wait until after the first exam to talk with me! Don’t try and "wing it" without telling me about your particular problem or needs. If you need special accommodations for exams, let me know early, not a few days before the exam. I am here to facilitate your learning, but I need to be informed to do so. BEHAVIOR IN THE CLASSROOM You do not need me to tell you how to behave in a classroom environment. However, I want you to know what I expect from you in order to avoid embarrassing situations.
CLASS SCHEDULE (The class schedule and assignments are subject to change in order to accommodate guest speakers, reinforce course material, and maintain some flexibility. Additional reading and viewing assignments will be made throughout the semester. You are responsible for all material assigned.) August Week One Tues. 21 Syllabus Review
Thurs. 23 Ch. 1-Ethics and Moral Development Week Two Tues. 28 Ch. 2-Ethics and Society Thurs. 30 Ch. 2-Ethics and Society September Week Three Tues. 04 Ch. 3-Ethics and Moral Reasoning Thurs. 06 Ch. 3-Ethics and Moral Reasoning Week Four Tues. 11 Potter Box Thurs. 13 Catch up Week Five Tues. 18 Ch. 4-Truth and Honesty in Media Communications
Thurs. 20 Ch. 4-Truth and Honesty in Media Communications Week Six Tues. 25 Ch. 5-The Media and Privacy: A Delicate Balance Thurs. 27 Ch. 5-The Media and Privacy: A Delicate Balance October Week Seven Tues. 02 Ch. 6-Confidentiality and the Public Interest Thurs. 04 Ch. 6-Confidentiality and the Public Interest Week Eight Tues. 09 Mid-term Exam (Chapters 1-6, lecture notes, additional readings) Thurs. 11 Ch. 7-Conflicts of Interest
Week Nine Tues. 16 Ch. 7-Conflicts of Interest Thurs. 18 Ch. 7-Conflicts of Interest Week Ten Tues. 23 Ch. 8-Economic Pressures and Social Responsibility
Thurs. 25 Ch. 8-Economic Pressures and Social Responsibility Week Eleven Tues. 30 Ch. 9-The Media and Antisocial Behavior November Thurs. 01 Ch. 9-The Media and Antisocial Behavior Week Twelve Tues. 06 Ch. 10-Morally Offensive Content: Freedom and Responsibility Thurs. 08 Ch. 10-Morally Offensive Content: Freedom and Responsibility Week Thirteen Tues. 13 Ch. 13-Stereotypes in Media Communications Thurs. 15 Ch. 13-Stereotypes in Media Communications Week Fourteen Tues. 20 Assigned Panel Discussions
Thurs. 22 No Class-Thanksgiving Holiday Week Fifteen Tues. 27 Assigned Panel Discussions Thurs. 29 Assigned Panel Discussions December Week Sixteen Tues. 04 Course Wrap-up
Fri. 07 Reading Day Week Seventeen Thurs. 13 Cumulative Final Exam-2:00-4:00 p.m. Note: I wish to acknowledge and thank Dr. Michael Hoefges, Dr. Camilla Gant, Dr. Millie Rivera-Sanchez and Mr. Art Land for allowing me to use parts of their syllabi to design this one. Their materials and advice are greatly appreciated! © B.L. Yates 2001 |