MEDIA ETHICS
RTVF 4455.001, Summer 2015
12:00 p.m. – 1:50 p.m. MTWTH, RTVF 264
Adjunct Professor: Marjorie Lewis
Office: RTVF 225/Office hours: By appointment
Required textbook:
Media Ethics: Cases and Moral Reasoning, 9th ed, Christians, Fackler, Richardson, Kreshel, Woods, Jr.
Additional required readings:
Articles posted to Blackboard. Check site daily.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Examines ethical questions and dilemmas faced by journalists and other media practitioners, with a strong emphasis on how to implement and use an effective ethical decision-making process in the newsroom. Includes extensive use of case studies, class discussions, role-playing, research and writing.
COURSE GOALS
This course is designed to help you apply ethical principles to situations you will encounter as professional communicators and as media consumers through a critical process of reflection and deliberation. You will explore on-the-job problems and moral dilemmas in journalism, advertising, marketing, entertainment programming, organizational life, and between persons --working toward ethically justifiable and biblically responsible solutions.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
As a result of this course students will:
- learn to recognize ethical issues present in professional situations;
- develop analytical skills through application of decision-making techniques;
- learn to tolerate disagreement as to “correct” procedures and techniques;
- investigate process of moral development and reasoning;
- seek to understand the impact of media decisions on society;
- derive more complete understanding of various philosophical orientations to ethics;
- develop an understanding of key ethical issues facing journalists, as well as advertising, public relations and entertainment media professionals;
- formulate strategies and guidelines for confronting ethical challenges in journalism, advertising, public relations and entertainment media.
ASSIGNMENTS/ASSESSMENTS/GRADE BREAKDOWN
TESTS/QUIZZES
There will be 2 tests and 8 online quizzes.
Each TEST will have 30 questions. Each test will be worth 150 points. Tests will be given during class. A Scantron sheet will be provided. Bring a #2 pencil. Both tests will be multiple choice/true-false. The first test will focus on the systemic formula for ethical evaluations. The second test will focus on applying the systemic formula in the evaluative process. Essentially, 1) what you need to know and 2) how you apply it. Both tests will help you evaluate your material understanding -- strengths and weaknesses as you prepare your final project.
The online QUIZZES posted to Blackboard are open book but timed, usually between 15-20 minutes. Quizzes will be posted at least two days before its due date/time. The Blackboard link will disappear when the quiz is due -- the minute class begins. Each quiz is worth 10 points. If you experience computer trouble while taking a quiz, you are free to email me so we can set up a time for the quiz to be taken before or after class. Bring your computer that day or prepare to use the classroom computer.
MAJOR PROJECT
The class is built around one major assignment; however, two smaller assignments spring from it. The one major assignment must be done in groups of three (unless otherwise approved in advance by me). The project is the creation of a video, audio or power-point presentation that answers this macro question: What is the state of ethics in the media today? The micro issue focuses on an area of interest to you as you answer that question. Perhaps you are interested in focusing on advertising to children or TV shows that exploit a segment of the population. Do you want to research whether or not there is bias in the news media or in the movie industry? Whether you choose to do a video, audio or power point, be creative. For example, if you do a video, you might want to do a parody making fun of something unethical that was produced despite its inherent lack of ethical standards. Let's say you do a parody of "Toddlers and Tiaras," the cable program broadcast on TLC. Perhaps you might parody the show with a 3-5-minute video you produce and then explain, during your presentation, what makes it either ethical or unethical based on the Potter Box model of ethics. Explain if the show's producers made an ethical or unethical decision by producing this show; therefore, you answer the key question regarding the state of ethics in the media today. The completed project will be 7-10 minutes in length followed by a brief Q&A and worth 270 points (250 for project/presentation and 20 points for the project status report).
The smaller assignments that spring from the big project are:
(1) one interview paperwith someone in the field who has dealt with ethical issues as they connect to the issue you will focus on for your presentation. For example, if you chose to do your presentation on advertising to children, set up an interview with someone in the advertising industry and ask about ethical issues he/she has had to deal with in regard to advertising. Ask how he/she handled it. Write a two-paged paper worth 75 points about the interview. What did you learn? How were ethical issues handled? Include what you learned during the interview in your major presentation and explain how it helped in your research. The paper must be submitted through Blackboard on the due date/time.
(2) Keep a log of ethical issues you encounter as they relate SPECIFICALLY TO YOUR WORK ON THIS MAJOR PROJECT.List each issue and write one paragraph per issue regarding how you handled each. You must have at least five issues. You'll be surprised how often an ethical dilemma presents itself no matter how big or how small. (Did I borrow unauthorized work? Did I let my partner do all the work? Did I skip out on a project meeting to go out with friends? Did I eliminate research because it is counter to the point I'm trying to make?) In the rare event you do not have an ethical issue present itself, substitute this section by researching an ethical dilemma with a similar issue you will be presenting on, and write a two-paged paper in the Potter Box model. Include this Potter Box material in your presentation by explaining how it helped guide your conclusion. This assignment is also worth 75 points and must be submitted through Blackboard on the due date/time.
LATE WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. DOCUMENTATION OF ILLNESS IS THE ONLY EXCEPTION.
Attendance (100) and Participation (100 points): Attendance will be taken at each class. You are allowed one absence without it hurting your grade. Each subsequent absence will cost you 5points. If we take a break during the class period and you do not to return for the second half, 5 points will be deducted from your attendance grade. If you cannot attend class because you are ill, you must notify me via e-mail beforeclass. If you miss class due to a religious holiday, notify me in advance of class. Attendance is important; the class is dependent upon student interaction. The entire class benefits from each other’s participation.
Group and Class Participation: Occasionally, we will break into groups as part of our classroom discussion, so your participation in the groups as well as individually is important. We have only 20 class sessions, so it is essential you attend each class session. Because participation is worth 100 total points, 5 points will be deducted for lack of participation when a class has not been attended. If you miss class and participation points for just one day, your grade will be docked 10 points.
Project Presentation/status report = 250/20 points
Interview paper= 75 points
Log with responses = 75 points
8 Quizzes/2Tests = 80/150/150 points
Attendance = 100 points
Participation = 100 points
------
Total= 1000 points
A = 900-1000 pts.
B = 899-800 pts.
C = 799-700 pts.
D = 699-600 pts.
F = 599 pts. and below
CLASS POLICIES
Turn off all cell phones, laptops, tablets, and any other electronic devices during class. Text messaging, sending e-mails, browsing the internet are not permitted in class. Civility is expected at all times during class. Participation (6.6) points will be deducted for violation of this policy.
ODA Notification: The University of North Texas is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation; reference Public Law 92-112 – The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. With the passage of new federal legislation entitled Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), pursuant to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, there is renewed focus on providing this population with the same opportunities enjoyed by all citizens. As a faculty member, I will provide “reasonable accommodations” to students with disabilities. Students (you) must inform faculty (me) of their need for accommodation by providing authorized documentation through designated administrative channels. Information regarding specific diagnostic criteria and policies for obtaining academic accommodations are at Visit the Office of Disability Accommodation in the University Union (room 321) or call 940.565.4323. Be sure and present any ODA documentation to me by the third week of class
RTVF 4455.001TENTATIVE CALENDAR (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
All DATES REFLECT DUE DATES
Bring textbook to class
Quizzes must be taken by 12 p.m. (noon) on the date indicated. The link for the quiz will disappear at 12 p.m. (noon) when class begins. No make-up quizzes are allowed.
WEEK ONE (1)
July 13: Personal introductions; Overview of expectations; Discuss: How do we define ethics? Ethics vs. morals? Ethics vs. law?
July 14: Read Introduction; Read Part One: News. Quiz.
July 15: DiscussPotter Box; News industry. Look for project partners.
July 16: Read Ch. 1: Institutional Pressures; Chapter 2: Reporters and Sources. Quiz.
WEEK TWO (2)
July 20: Discuss News and Advertising. TEST #1Discuss Interview Paper.
July 21: Read Part 2: Advertising; Chapter 6: The Commercialization of Everyday Life. Quiz
July 22: Discuss News and Advertising: Post to Blackboard link: Your name, your project partner, your project topic.
July 23: Read Ch. 7: Advertising in an Imaged-Based Culture. Quiz--No class today--
WEEK THREE (3)
July 27: Discuss News, Advertising, Public Relations.TEST #2
July 28: Read Part 3: Public Relations; Ch. 11: Telling the Truth in Organizational Settings. Quiz.
July 29: Discuss News, Advertising and Public Relations. Status Report due: Submit through Blackboard.
July 30: Read Ch. 12: Conflicting Loyalties. Quiz.
WEEK FOUR (4)
Aug. 3: Discuss News, Advertising, Public Relations and Entertainment; Interview Paper Due: Submit through Blackboard.
Aug. 4: Read Part 4: Entertainment; Ch. 16: Media Scope and Depth. Quiz.
Aug. 5: Discuss News, Advertising, Public Relations and Entertainment.
Aug. 6:Read Ch. 17: Censorship. Quiz.
WEEK FIVE (5)
Aug. 10:Project Log on Ethical Issues due: Submit through Blackboard
Aug. 11:Project Presentation media due: Submit through Blackboard
Project Presentations: Q&A/Discussion. (3-4))
Aug. 12: Project Presentations: Q&A/Discussion (3)
Aug. 13:Project Presentations: Q&A/Discussion (3)
Aug. 14, Friday: FINAL MEETING