Communication Ethics is a main course for School of Communication students, which aims to understand the ethical concepts including freedom, democracy, truth, objectivity, honesty and privacy. The course examines the ethical issues both in philosophical and practical ways to help maintaining the quality of information. Contents of newsmedia and entertainment media are analyzed and discussed in terms of an ethical approach. Discussions over real case studies about ethical issues are examined and analyzed in an effort to find social solutions for them . Some main topics of the course consist of honesty, accountability, objectivity, reality, freedom of speech, public interest, private life, equality, differentiation, ethnicity, gender differences, ownership relations, news sources, ethical codes, self-control etc.
Vertical Tabs
Course Learning Outcomes
| Learning Outcomes | Program Learning Outcomes | Teaching Methods | Assessment Methods |
| 1) Assign the similarities and differences of notion like ethics, morality, law and religion in terms of social organizations. | 3, 7, 9, 10 | 1,2,5,6,11,15,19 | A,C |
| 2) Reads and realises basic ethical theories, approaches and principles with their historical contexts. | 3, 7, 9, 10 | 1,2,5,6,11,15 | A,C |
| 3) Understands the possibility of disputes and controversies in ethical issues. | 3, 7, 9, 10 | 1,2,5,6,11,15,19 | A,C |
| 4) Expresses the basic notions and technical areas of media ethics as being a sub-branch of general ethics. | 3, 7, 9, 10 | 1,2,5,6,11,15,19 | A,C |
| 5) Assigns, identifies and analyses the unethical applications in visual, auditory and written media texts. | 3, 7, 9, 10 | 1,2,5,6,11,15,19 | A,C |
| 6) Discusses ethical problems in media with their different sides, by using a critical reasoning ability. | 3, 7, 9, 10 | 1,2,5,6,11,15,19 | A,C |
Course Flow
| COURSE CONTENT | ||
| Week | Topics | Study Materials |
| 1 | Course policy and requirements. The historical roots of ethics. Relationship between ethics and morality. Ethical Decision-Making Process. Sissela Bok’s model of ethical decision-making. | |
| 2 |
Theoretical Foundations for Media Ethics: Aristotle and Virtue Ethics
Theoretical Foundations for Media Ethics: Kant and Duty Ethics |
Read: Patterson & Wilkins, pp. 1-15
J.C. Merrill, pp. 3-32 |
| 3 |
Theoretical Foundations for Media Ethics: Bentham, Mill and Utilitarian Ethics
Theoretical Foundations for Media Ethics: Etzioni and Communitarian Ethics Theoretical Foundations for Media Ethics General Evaluation: Deontological, Teleological and Subjective Ethical Approaches |
Read:Patterson & Wilkins, pp. 1-15
J.C. Merrill, pp. 3-32 Homework: Media Watch |
| 4 |
Ethics and Freedom: Mass Media Accountability
Individual Autonomy, Ethics and News Values. |
Read:Gordon & Newton, pp. 33-54
Kittross & Gordon, pp. 59-80 Homework: Media Watch |
| 5 |
Gatekeepers and Manipulation: Truth, Fairness and Accuracy.
The Ethics of “Correctness’” and “Inclusiveness”. |
Read: Kittross & Gordon, pp. 93-159
Homework: Media Watch |
| 6 |
Codes of Ethics in Media and Audience/Reader Representative, Ombudsman and Journalism Associations and Organizations.
|
Read: Gordon & Dorsher, pp. 166-184
Homework: Media Watch |
| 7 | Debate 1: News-making Processes and Ethics | Homework: Media Watch |
| 8 | Midterm Exam | |
| 9 |
New Technologies and Techniques, and Media Ethics.
Digitally Manipulated Content and Ethics. |
Read: Singer & Dorsher, pp. 213-232
Babcock, Gordon & Kittross pp. 237-251 Homework: Media Watch |
| 10 |
Media Ethics and Economic Marketplace.
Access to Media: Equity in Receiving and Disseminating Information |
Read: Kittross & Gordon pp. 256-298
Gordon& Babcock, pp. 306-317 Homework: Media Watch |
| 11 |
Private Lives and Public Interest in a Digital World.
The Ethics of Persuasive Communication: Advertising, Public Relations and Marketing. |
Read: Gordon, Kittross & Newton, pp. 333-375
Gade & Gordon, pp. 383-404 Homework: Media Watch |
| 12 | Debate 2: Advertising, Public Relations, Marketing and Ethics | Homework: Media Watch |
| 13 |
Infotainment, Sensationalism, “Reality” and Ethics
Entertainment Media and Ethics. Violence and Sexuality.. |
Read: Gordon & Babcock, pp. 432-454
Kitross ve Gordon pp. 461-484 Homework: Media Watch |
| 14 | Debate 3: Gender Representations and Ethics | Homework: Media Watch |
| 15 | An overview | |
| 16 | Final Exam | |
Recommended Sources
| RECOMMENDED SOURCES | |
| Textbook |
Gordon, D. & Kittross J.M. (2011). Controversies in Media Ethics. N.Y.: Longman Pub., 3rd edition.
Patterson, Philip & Wilkins Lee (2002). Media Ethics: Issues & Cases. Boston: McGrawHill Pub.Kieran, Matthew ed. (1998). Media Ethics. London & N.Y.: Routledge. |
| Additional Resources |
Screenings
1. Documentaries * Orwell Rolls in His Grave, Director: Robert Kane Pappas, 2004. 1 Hour 46 Minutes. * Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism, Director: Robert Greenwald, 2004, 75 Minutes. 2. Fiction Films * All The President’s Men (1976), dir. Alan J. Pakula * Under Fire (1983), dir. Roger Spottiswoode * Salvador (1986), dir. Oliver Stone * The Paper (1994), dir. Ron Howard * 15 Minutes (2001), dir. John Herzfeld * Good Night, and Good Luck (2005), dir. George Clooney Recommended readings
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Material Sharing
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Assessment
| ASSESSMENT | ||
| IN-TERM STUDIES | NUMBER | PERCENTAGE |
| Mid-terms | 1 | 40 |
| Debate | 3 | 30 |
| Assignment | 1 | 30 |
| Total | 100 | |
| Contribution of Final Examination to Overall Grade | 60 | |
| Contribution of In-Term Studies to Overall Grade | 40 | |
| Total | 100 | |
| COURSE CATEGORY | Elective Courses |
Course’s Contribution to Program
| COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO PROGRAM | ||||||
| No | Program Learning Outcomes | Contribution | ||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
| 1 | Students demonstrate knowledge on market segmentation, are able to follow the trends in consumer behavior, and create effective advertising messages suitable for target audiences | |||||
| 2 | Students design advertisements suitable for both traditional and digital media. | |||||
| 3 | Students gain awareness and knowledge on interdisciplinary subjects that are beneficial both for their professional and intellectual lives. | x | ||||
| 4 | Students demonstrate knowledge of the campaign processes in written, audio-visual, electronic, and outdoor advertising media. They plan and manage campaigns in accordance with national and international standards. | |||||
| 5 | Students demonstrate knowledge of the research methods related to the field of advertising and are able to use the obtained data to evaluate results in campaign processes. | |||||
| 6 | Students create and lead media strategies in the field of advertising. | |||||
| 7 | Students abide by universal values, law and ethical principles. | x | ||||
| 8 | Students follow the developments in the fields with the awareness of lifelong learning and entrepreneurial approach. They are self-confident in communicating with institutions and persons and suggest solutions to problems independently or as team members. | |||||
| 9 | Students adopt the critical approach in evaluating knowledge and skills related to the field. | x | ||||
| 10 | Students demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts and models related to the field. | x | ||||
ECTS
| ECTS ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD BY THE COURSE DESCRIPTION | |||
| Activities | Quantity |
Duration (Hour) |
Total Workload (Hour) |
| Course Duration | 14 | 3 | 42 |
| Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice) | 14 | 3 | 42 |
| Mid-terms | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Debate | 3 | 3 | 9 |
| Assignment | 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Final | 1 | 10 | 10 |
| Total Work Load | 114 | ||
| Total Work Load / 25 (h) | 4,56 | ||
| ECTS Credit of the Course | 5 | ||