CSULB – Dept. of Journalism and Mass Communication
Jour 431 (section 02) – Fall 2013
Mass Media Ethics
Tuesday & Thursday 9:30-10:45am
SPA Room 029C
Professor Carla Yarbrough
Office Hour: Tuesday, 11:00 – Noon
Email: carla.yarbrou@csulb.edu
Office Location: SPA 004B
Phone: 562-985-5568
_____________________________________________________________
COURSE OVERVIEW:
You will learn how ethics relates to mass media professionals through the case study
approach. The course examines ethical problems in all fields of communication:
advertising, broadcast journalism, journalism, film, the Internet, public relations, radio
and television. We will explore the roles of news in society, ethics, libel, and the notion of
objectivity and bias in news coverage. You will learn how to apply ethical theory to mass
communications issues. You will be expected to keep up with current events and ethical
issues that arise in the media.
Required Text: Media Ethics: Issues and Cases, 7th Edition, Philip Paterson and Lee
Wilkins (2010), McGraw-Hill.
Course Requirements: You will be required to read all assigned materials, participate in
small group and class discussions, and prepare a creative presentation to the class.
Attendance: Attendance is expected to be on-time and regular. I will not admit you to
class more than 15 minutes after class begins. If you sleep in class, I will mark you as
absent. Grades will be significantly lowered for unexcused absences and missed
assignments. Anyone missing three or more classes, without proper
documentation and approval, will be docked one letter grade when final
averaging is done.
Grading: Under the grading principles followed in this course, grades are defined strictly
as a measure of how much course material students can demonstrate they have
assimilated.
The elements on which grades in this course will depend on the percentage weight of each
element in the total course grade are as follows:
Class Participation/Presentation
20 %
Midterm exam
20 %
Final exam
20 %
Quizzes
40 %
Total 100 %
Participation: 20 percent. There will be class discussions, small group presentations, and
your attendance will be averaged in.
Midterm Exam: 20 percent. This examine will be multiple choice, fill in the blank, and
true/false. You will need to purchase a Scantron Form No. 882-E and two #2 pencils.
Quizzes: 40 percent. There will be five spot quizzes on the assigned reading and case
studies. Each quiz will count 10 percent. The quizzes will be relatively easy if the reading
has been accomplished. There are no make-ups for the quizzes. If you are absent, you will
receive an F for your grade on that quiz, unless you have a doctor’s note. I will drop the
lowest quiz grade at the end of the semester.
Final Exam: 20 percent. This examine will be multiple choice, fill in the blank, and
true/false. You will need to purchase a Scantron Form No. 882-E and two #2 pencils.
Grades will be on an A-F scale with no plus/minus grading. The professor reserves the
right to change the course schedule and grading formula.
Grading Scale
90-100 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
59 and below – F
Tentative Course Schedule- Subject to change
READINGS FOR EACH CHAPTER ARE DUE THE DAY OF THE
DISCUSSION. SPOT QUIZZES WILL BE BASED ON THE READING.
Aug. 27/29
Introduction to Course/ Ethical Decision Making
Jayson Blair
Sept. 3/5
Chapter 1- Essay/How to Read a Case study
Sept. 10/12
Chapter 2 – Information Ethics: A Profession Seeking the Truth
Review Case 2-A, Case 2-B, Case 2-C
Sept. 17/19
Chapter 2- Small group discussions Review Case 2-D, Case 2-E
Group Assignments
Sept. 24/26
Chapter 3 – Strategic Communication: Does Client Advocate Mean
Consumer Adversary?
Small group presentations: Case 3-B, Case 3-C
Oct. 1/3
Small group presentations: Case 3-D, Case 3-E, Case 3-F,
Case 3-G, Case 3-H, Case 3-I
Oct. 8/10
Chapter 4 – Loyalty: Choosing between Competing Allegiances
Case Discussions
Oct. 15/17
Chapter 5 – Privacy: Looking for Solitude in the Global Village
Case Discussions
Oct. 22
Review for midterm exam
Oct. 24
MIDTERM EXAM
Oct. 29/31
Chapter 6 – Mass Media in a Democratic Society: Keeping a Promise
Case Discussions
Nov. 5/7
Chapter 7 – Media Economics: The Deadline Meets the Bottom Line
Case Discussions
Nov. 12
Veteran’s Day – No class
Nov. 14
Chapter 8 –Picture This: The Ethics of Photo and Video Journalism
Case Discussions
Nov. 19/21
Chapter 9 – New Media: Continuing Questions and New Roles
Case Discussions
Nov. 26
Chapter 10 – The Ethical Dimensions of Art and Entertainment
Nov.28
Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 3/5
Case Discussions
Dec. 10
Review for exam
December 17
Final Exam (Tuesday, 10:15a-12:15p)
Addendum to Course Syllabus: Department of Journalism Policies on Grading, Conduct of
Classes, Drops, Absences and Cheating
Grading: The grading policies and practices in this class are explained elsewhere in the syllabus. It is
the student’s responsibility to read them and to seek clarification if necessary. The student should be
fully aware of what is required for success in the course, such as group participation, writing,
speaking, completing assigned.
Seat in Class: An enrolled student may lose his/her seat in class if he/she misses the first class
meeting without notifying the instructor. At the instructor’s discretion, a student who attends the first
class but not subsequent classes may also be dropped from the course.
Withdrawal from Class: Students may withdraw from a class from the third to the 12th week for
“serious and compelling reasons.” Normally these are defined as anything of importance that is
beyond the control of the student. This includes, but is not necessarily limited to, death or serious
illness in a student’s immediate family or a documented change in a student’s work schedule. Poor
performance, tardiness and unexcused absences are not considered serious or compelling reasons
beyond the student’s control for purposes of withdrawing.
Absences from Class: Grades in a course may be adversely affected by absences, and students should
seek clarification from the instructor regarding the course absence policy. Make-ups usually are
granted in strict accordance with CSULB policy, which defines excused absences as (1) illness or injury
to the student; (2) death, injury or serious illness of an immediate family member or the like; (3)
religious reasons; (4) jury duty or government obligation; (5) CSULB-sanctioned or approved activities
[2002-03 Catalog, p.75]. These and any other requests for an excused absence must be documented.
CSULB Cheating/Plagiarism/Fabrication Policy: CSULB takes issues of academic dishonesty very
seriously. If you use any deceptive or dishonest method to complete an assignment, take an exam, or
gain credit in a course in any other way, or if you help someone else to do so, you are guilty of
cheating. Making something up constitutes fabrication. If you use someone else’s ideas or work and
represent it as your own without giving credit to the source, you are guilty of plagiarism. This does not
apply if the ideas are recognized as common knowledge, or if you can show that you honestly
developed the ideas through your own work. Any instructor can show you the correct ways of citing
your sources, and you should use quotation marks, footnotes or endnotes and bibliographic references
to give credit to your sources according to the format recommended by your instructor. The
Department of Journalism has a zero-tolerance policy in these areas, and any instance of academic
dishonesty -- cheating, plagiarism and/or fabrication -- may result in your failing of the assignment,
immediate removal from class with a failing grade, removal from the College of Liberal Arts, expulsion
from the university and/or other sanctions as the instructor deems appropriate.
Responses, Penalties and Student Rights: Students should consult the appropriate sections of the
Catalog for examples of cheating, fabrication and plagiarism, and instructor and/or CSULB response
options in such circumstances. The Catalog also outlines student rights.
Additional Student Learning Assessment
The national accrediting agency for journalism education has established a requirement that all
accredited journalism schools assess student mastery of 11 core values and competencies that any
graduate of a journalism and mass communication program should possess. According to the
Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, all graduates, irrespective of
their particular specialization, should be able to:
1)
Understand and apply First Amendment principles and the law appropriate to
professional practice.
2)
Demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of professionals and
institutions in shaping communications.
3)
Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of groups in a global society in
relationship to communications.
4)
Understand concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images and
information.
5)
Work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity.
6)
Think critically, creatively and independently.
7)
Conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the
communications professionals in which they work.
8)
Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications
professions, audiences and purposes they serve.
9)
Critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity,
appropriate style and grammatical correctness.
10) Apply basic numerical and statistical concepts.
11) Apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which
they work.
Accommodation of students with disabilities in journalism courses
Students with disabilities who need assistant or accommodation to participate in or benefit from
university programs, services, and/or activities should inform the instructor and then contact Disabled
Student Services. Students needing support services or accommodations should contact the instructor
of the course within the first week of class. In addition, students should establish their eligibility for
assistance by contacting the Disabled Student Services Office (Brotman Hall 270) at 562-985-5401.
Students are to provide to the instructor verification of their disability from Disabled Student
Services. Typical accommodations available from Disabled Student Services, working with the
journalism instructor, includes extended time for tests, test proctoring, private test rooms, note
taking, Braille transcriptions, and referral for tutoring.
If the service offered is insufficient or inadequate, the student should confer with the instructor and
the director of Disabled Student Services. If these efforts are unsuccessful, students have the option
of directing their concerns to the Office of Equity and Diversity (University Student Union 301) at 562985-8256. Responsibility for oversight and implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and
the Rehabilitation Act has been delegated to the campus director for disability support and
accommodation.