COMM 320 syllabus
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This document provides a syllabus for a course on contemporary broadcast news ethics. The course addresses ethical issues that have arisen in broadcast news in recent years due to changes in media landscape and the ubiquity of 24/7 news coverage. Over the course of the semester, students will analyze case studies and current events, learn principles of media ethics, and apply critical thinking to ethical dilemmas in broadcast journalism. Assessment will include participation in discussions, analysis of case studies, quizzes, two case study memos, an individual case study paper, and a culminating group project applying course concepts to a case study and code of ethics.
![internet are okay with proper citation), journal article, or PowerPoint that
will enhance the verbal presentation. The final part of the Activity involves
the group creating 5 multiple choice, true/false, or short answer questions
that will be given to the class to answer after their presentation. This will
assess how well they were able to put across their information. The students
will be given a rubric.
V. Grade Scale
Grading scale: A: ≥90% B: 80-89% C: 70-79% D: 60-69% F:<60%
VI. Attendance Policy
Attendance is required, only excused absences are allowed. Proper
documentation must be provided to professor.
Unexcused routine medical, dental, legal or academic appointments, job-
related or social commitments, illnesses not involving hospitalization or
doctor intervention, as well as family or other emergencies will be included
in the absentee tally.
Lateness to Class: Lateness to class affects attendance in the following way:
two lates equal one absence. Leaving class before being dismissed affects
attendance in the same manner.
[Note: It is recommended that an attendance policy be developed by
individual faculty and included in student syllabi. (See undergraduate catalog
for Undergraduate Course Attendance Policy.)]
VII. Required textbooks, supplementalbooks and readings
McBride, K., & Rosenstiel, T. (Eds.). (2014). The new ethics of journalism:
Principles for the 21st century. Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications.
Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics, available at
http://www.spj.org/ethics_code.asp; Radio-Television News Directors
Association Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, available at
http://www.rtnda.org/pages/media_items/code-of-ethics-and-professional-
conduct48.php
Jill Rosen, “Who Knows Jack?” American Journalism Review, April/May 2004,
available at http://www.ajr.org/article.asp?id=3613](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/hesssyllabus-150410222913-conversion-gate01/85/COMM-320-syllabus-7-320.jpg)
![Axelrod, Daniel. (2013). Problems & Ethics in Journalism [Syllabus].
Gainesville, FL: Journalism Department, University of Florida.
Black, J., & Roberts, C. (2011). Doing ethics in media theories and practical
applications. New York: Routledge.
Lewis, J. (2014). Media law and ethics in the 21st century: Protecting free
expression and curbing abuses. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
McBride, K., & Rosenstiel, T. (Eds.). (2014). The new ethics of journalism:
Principles for the 21st century. Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications
McGuire, Tim. (2010). Media Ethics and Diversity [Syllabus]. AZ: Walter
Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Arizona State
University.
Sanford, Otis. (2011). Media Ethics [Syllabus]. Memphis, TN: Journalism
Department, The University of Memphis.
Course Analysis Questionnaire
Section A: Details of the Course
A1 This course is an elective for students in the BA Communications
Media program. This content is extensive and would take away
from the content of other courses if it were to be melded with
another. It is also solely focused on contemporary issues and the
impact on the future, not on the past. This is not a Liberal Studies
course.
A6 Similar courses are offered at the following institutions, among
others:
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania: Media Ethics
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania: Mass Media and
Communication Ethics
University of Florida: Problems and Ethics in Journalism, Social
Media Ethics
Arizona State University: Media Ethics and Diversity
The University of Memphis: Media Ethics
Section B: Interdisciplinary Implications](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/hesssyllabus-150410222913-conversion-gate01/85/COMM-320-syllabus-9-320.jpg)
COMM 320 syllabus
- 1. SYLLABUS OF RECORD I. Catalog Description COMM 320 Contemporary Broadcast News Ethics 3 class hours 0 lab hours Prerequisites: COMM 101 3 credits (3c-0l-3cr) Addresses ethical issues arising frombroadcast (radio, television, plus internet) news in contemporary times. Analyzes current events and discusses decisions made by journalists and the impact of those decisions. Focuses on the land scape of media ethics and it’s complications in the last several years due to the ubiquity of 24/7 news. Emphasizes ethical principles updated for 21st Century. II. Course Outcomes Students will be able to 1. Describe and discuss broadcast news ethics principles as they apply to the 21st Century. 2. Interpret and apply ethical principles to case studies and current events. 3. Analyze case studies and relate codes of ethics, current events, and current media realities to them. 4. Apply critical thinking skills to ethical dilemmas 5. Collaborate with a group to describe, apply, analyze, and interpret case studies and how they relate to a code of ethics and the ethics principles discussed in the course. Student Outcomes Assessment Matrix COE&ET Conceptual Framework Program Objectives Course Objectives Assessment Technique 1-2-3-4 2-3-5 1 Case Study Paper Quizzes Discussion Culminating WebQuest Activity* 1-2-3-4 2-3-5 2 Case Study Paper Case Study Memos Discussion Culminating
- 2. WebQuest Activity* 1-2-3-4 2-3-5 3 Case Study Paper Case Study Memos Discussion Culminating WebQuest Activity* 1-2-3-4 2-3-5 4 Homework Assignments Discussion Culminating WebQuest Activity* 1-2-3-4 2-3-4-5-6-7 5 Quizzes Discussion Culminating WebQuest Activity* * Key Assessment III. Course Outline Date Content Assignments Due 1. M Introduction to the Course. 2. W Discussion: TRUTH: The Complicated Pursuit of Truth; Truth without Scarcity, Ethics without Force Reading for today’s discussion 3. F Lecture: How to read and interpret Case Studies; Discussion: Current Events Current Event Article for discussion 4. M Discussion: TRUTH: Kicking the Stone: The Search for Reliable Evidence in Journalism Assignment of Case Study Memo #1 Reading for today’s discussion 5. W Viewing: Integral part(s) of Movie #1 (List of possiblemoviesin bibliography) Discussion: of movie 6. F Discussion: Mark Lisheron, “Lying to Get the Truth,” American Journalism Review, Oct/Nov 2007, available at http://www.ajr.org/Article.asp?id=4403 Reading for today’s discussion Textbook Case Study #1 7. M Discussion: TRUTH: Storytelling in the Digital Age Reading for
- 3. today’s discussion 8. W Discussion: Paul Farhi, “The Twitter Explosion,” American Journalism Review, available at http://www.ajr.org/Article.asp?id=4772 Reading for today’s discussion 9. F Discussion: Current Events Quiz #1 Current Event Article for discussion 10. M Discussion: TRUTH: Fast-Checking 2.0 Reading for today’s discussion 11. W Discussion: Individual case studies used in memo Case Study Memo #1 12. F Discussion: Textbook Case Study #2 Textbook Case Study #2 13. M Discussion: TRUTH: Seeing is Not Believing: Photojournalism in the 21st Century Reading for today’s discussion 14. W Viewing: Integral part(s) of Movie #2 15. F Discussion: Current Events Quiz #2 Current Event Article for discussion 16. M Discussion: TRANSPARENCY: Learning the Transparency Habit; Do Private Platforms Threaten Public Journalism? Reading for today’s discussion 17. W Current Events Discussion; Assignment of Case Study Paper Current Event Article for Discussion 18. F Discussion: Textbook Case Study #3 Textbook Case Study #3 19. M Discussion: TRANSPERENCY: Networked Audiences: Attention and Data-Informed Journalism Discussion Reading for today’s discussion 20. W Discussion: Radio Television Digital News Association, “Social Media and Blogging Guidelines,” http://www.rtdna.org/pages/media_items/social-media-and- blogging-guidelines1915.php?g=37?id=1915 Reading for today’s discussion 21. F Discussion: Current Events Current
- 4. Quiz 3 Event Article for discussion 22. M Discussion: TRANSPERENCY: Centers of Investigative Reporting: New Model, Old Conflicts Discussion Case Study Paper 23. W Viewing: Integral part(s) of Movie #3 Discussion: movie 24. F Discussion: Textbook Case Study #4 Textbook Case Study #4 25. M Discussion: TRANSPERENCY: A New Pathway toward Sourcing Reading for today’s discussion 26. W Discussion: Bryan Monroe, “Newsroom Diversity: Truth vs. Fiction,” Nieman Reports, Fall 2003, available at http://www.nieman.harvard.edu/reportsitem.aspx?id=101000 Reading for today’s discussion 27. F Discussion: Current Events Quiz #4 Current Event Article for discussion 28. M Discussion: TRANSPERENCY: Corrections and Ethics: Greater Accuracy through Honesty Reading for today’s discussion 29. W Current Events Discussion; Assignment of Case Study Memo 2 Current Event Article for discussion 30. F Discussion: Textbook Case Study #5 Textbook Case Study #5 31. M Discussion: COMMUNITY: The Community as a Goal; The (Still) Evolving Relationship between News and Community Reading for today’s discussion 32. W Viewing: Integral part(s) of Movie #4; Discussion: movie 33. F Discussion: Current Event Quiz #5 Current Event Article for discussion 34. M Discussion: COMMUNITY: The Destabilizing Force of Fear Reading for today’s discussion
- 5. 35. W Discussion: Case Studies used in Memo Case Study Memo #2 36. F Discussion: Textbook Case Study #6 Textbook Case Study #6 37. M Discussion: COMMUNITY: How Untold Stories Can Reflect Diversity Discussion; Assignment of Culminating WebQuest Activity Reading for today’s discussion 38. W Discussion: Dori J. Maynard, “Why Journalists Can’t Talk Across Race,” Nieman Reports, Fall 2003, available at http://www.nieman.harvard.edu/reportsitem.aspx?id=101005 Reading for today’s discussion 39. F Discussion: Current Events Quiz #6 Current Event Article for discussion 40. M Discussion: COMMUNITY: Community as an End; The Future of Journalism Ethics; Begin in-class group work Reading for today’s discussion 41. W In-class group work time 42. F Meeting with professor to make sure group on track; In-class group work time 43. Final Meeting Culminating WebQuest Activity Presentations WebQuest Activity deliverable IV. Evaluation Method The final grade will be determined as follows: 10% Participation/ Discussion – Using a rubric, students will be assessed on their ability to: arrive fully prepared for class, play an active role in discussion, occasionally advance the level and depth of the dialogue with their comments, and enhance the level of discussion and group dynamic with their contributions. 10% 6 Textbook Case Studies – Students will be assigned to read six of the Case Studies provided in the textbook, The New Ethics of Journalism: Principles for the 21st Century, and be asked to answer the questions that follow them. These questions require the students to not only give factual answers, but to also give opinions and to analyze the case. They will then be discussed in class.
- 6. 10% 6 group quizzes - Every other week during the semester, students will complete a quiz to work on with their group. Groups will be assigned on the first day of class, therefore students will have worked with their group previously in group discussions. The quizzes require students to think critically about their assigned readings and movies watched in class. Answers will be multiple-choice, however they will require analyzing of a short situation, and will not be definitional questions. 20% 2 Case Study one-page memos (@ 10% each)– Students will write two one-page, single-spaced memos outlining their advice for addressing the ethical issue presented in each case. Students will be able to write about a case of their choosing. They will adopt the role of a news reporter, producer, or editor and the memo will provide advice to the top editor. (Credit for idea to Tim McGuire, Arizona State University) 20% 1 Case Study Paper – Students will be assigned, at the midterm, a 6-7 page paper that will analyze and discuss the major ethical issues raised in a case or current event news broadcast, and indicate how they would resolve the issues if they were faced with the scenario. This paper is to be done individually. This is not a personal reflection, but a careful analysis in which students will apply the philosophical principles and ethical models learned in this course to the issues of the case and cite relevant statements from authorities in media practice and ethics. Research will be required. Up to six sources, excluding the textbook and in-class readings should be cited. The paper will be in APA format. (Credit for idea to Otis Sanford, The University of Memphis) 30% Culminating WebQuest Activity – During the last three meetings of class, students will get together with their discussion/quiz group and work on a WebQuest. The WebQuest will be a PowerPoint created by the professor and made available to the students via the LMS. The WebQuest will require each student to do their own separate research on a Code of Ethics provided by a media association of their choosing. Each group will be assigned a case study by the professor that the students will read individually. The student will work on relating their code of ethics to the case study they read. The students will come back together in their group and each student will explain their Code of Ethics and its relation to the case to the group. They will analyze strengths, weaknesses, and how they would work through the issues. The group will then collaborate to put together a verbal presentation that will have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. It will include a description of the case study; the Codes of Ethics researched and applied, how they would apply the three main principles presented in the textbook, and how the group would work through the ethical issues. The group will also create a short movie (does not need to be original material, clips from
- 7. internet are okay with proper citation), journal article, or PowerPoint that will enhance the verbal presentation. The final part of the Activity involves the group creating 5 multiple choice, true/false, or short answer questions that will be given to the class to answer after their presentation. This will assess how well they were able to put across their information. The students will be given a rubric. V. Grade Scale Grading scale: A: ≥90% B: 80-89% C: 70-79% D: 60-69% F:<60% VI. Attendance Policy Attendance is required, only excused absences are allowed. Proper documentation must be provided to professor. Unexcused routine medical, dental, legal or academic appointments, job- related or social commitments, illnesses not involving hospitalization or doctor intervention, as well as family or other emergencies will be included in the absentee tally. Lateness to Class: Lateness to class affects attendance in the following way: two lates equal one absence. Leaving class before being dismissed affects attendance in the same manner. [Note: It is recommended that an attendance policy be developed by individual faculty and included in student syllabi. (See undergraduate catalog for Undergraduate Course Attendance Policy.)] VII. Required textbooks, supplementalbooks and readings McBride, K., & Rosenstiel, T. (Eds.). (2014). The new ethics of journalism: Principles for the 21st century. Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications. Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics, available at http://www.spj.org/ethics_code.asp; Radio-Television News Directors Association Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, available at http://www.rtnda.org/pages/media_items/code-of-ethics-and-professional- conduct48.php Jill Rosen, “Who Knows Jack?” American Journalism Review, April/May 2004, available at http://www.ajr.org/article.asp?id=3613
- 8. Charles Layton, “Miller Brouhaha,” American Journalism Review, Aug/Sept 2003, available at http://www.ajr.org/Article.asp?id=3057 National Press Photographers Association Code of Ethics, available at http://www.nppa.org/professional_development/business_practices/ethics. html. Code of Ethics, Public Relations Society of America, available at http://www.prsa.org/aboutUs/ethics/preamble_en.html . American Advertising Federation Statement of Principles, http://www.aaf.org/default.asp?id=37 . Media Ethics Case Studies available at, http://www.spj.org/ethicscasestudies.asp Writing a Case Study Analysis available at, http://college.cengage.com/business/resources/casestudies/students/writin g.htm Possible Viewing: “Rich Media Poor Democracy”, “The Mean World Syndrome: Media Violence & the Cultivation of Fear”, “Hijacking Catastrophe: 9/11, Fear & the Selling of American Empire”, “Framing an Execution: The Media & Mumia Abu-Jamal”, “Constructing Public Opinion: How Politicans & the Media Misrepresent the Public”, “Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch’s War on Journalism”, “Shattered Glass”, “Myth of the Liberal Media” VIII. Special resource requirements Approximately $15.00 – Students who are absent on the day of a movie viewing will be required to rent or purchase the movie at their own expense. Flash drive needed for culminating activity. IX. Bibliography (2009). Retrieved February 20, 2015, from http://ethicaljournalisminitiative.org/en (2014, September). SPJ Code of Ethics. Retrieved February 20, 2015, from http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp (2015). Retrieved March 14, 2015, from http://aect.site-ym.com/
- 9. Axelrod, Daniel. (2013). Problems & Ethics in Journalism [Syllabus]. Gainesville, FL: Journalism Department, University of Florida. Black, J., & Roberts, C. (2011). Doing ethics in media theories and practical applications. New York: Routledge. Lewis, J. (2014). Media law and ethics in the 21st century: Protecting free expression and curbing abuses. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. McBride, K., & Rosenstiel, T. (Eds.). (2014). The new ethics of journalism: Principles for the 21st century. Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications McGuire, Tim. (2010). Media Ethics and Diversity [Syllabus]. AZ: Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Arizona State University. Sanford, Otis. (2011). Media Ethics [Syllabus]. Memphis, TN: Journalism Department, The University of Memphis. Course Analysis Questionnaire Section A: Details of the Course A1 This course is an elective for students in the BA Communications Media program. This content is extensive and would take away from the content of other courses if it were to be melded with another. It is also solely focused on contemporary issues and the impact on the future, not on the past. This is not a Liberal Studies course. A6 Similar courses are offered at the following institutions, among others: Mansfield University of Pennsylvania: Media Ethics East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania: Mass Media and Communication Ethics University of Florida: Problems and Ethics in Journalism, Social Media Ethics Arizona State University: Media Ethics and Diversity The University of Memphis: Media Ethics Section B: Interdisciplinary Implications
- 10. B2 There is a similar course in the Journalism department, JRNL 347. However, they do not focus specifically on 21st century broadcast news ethics. They split the course with legal issues and use older material. Section C: Implementation C2 Other resources: a. Current space allocations are adequate to offer this course. b. Only equipment needed is a computer connected to a projector and a pull down screen. One or two time use of a computer lab needed. c. No laboratory supplies or consumable goods necessary. d. No special library materials needed. e. No traveling funds needed. C6 Up to 25 students can be accommodated in this class, as students will need to use a computer lab.