Comm 605 Ethics & Critical Analysis of Media
Fall 2014
Dr. Zengjun Peng
Office:138 Stewart Hall
Email: zpeng@stcloudstate.edu
Office Hours:
Office Hours: T & R:
Phone: 308-3278
1.00 –3:30 p.m.
Other time by appointment.
Time and Location:
R. 5-7:45 p.m. SH115
Textbook:
Patterson & Wilkins: Media Ethics: Issues and Cases (8th Ed)
Class Handouts & Electronic Materials
Course Description: This course centers around (1) advanced analysis of the values, principles,
processes and critical paradigms commonly used for ethical decision-making, and (2) In-depth
understanding and appreciation of critical issues in the media.
Student Learning Outcomes:
(1) Demonstrate an advanced knowledge and understanding of professional ethical principles and
how to work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity;
(2) Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of groups in a global society and related
communication issues;
(3) Develop and consolidate skills in critical thinking, clear and thoughtful communication, and
open inquiry through research and creative activity;
(4) Deliver a concise, coherent, and interesting oral presentation; and
(5) Produce written work at a scholarly level appropriate for graduate studies.
Procedures
This course focuses on three major aspects: “what,” “why,” and “how.”
“What” introduces traditional and emerging issues and concerns in mass media ethics, and
how these issues have been viewed and dealt with by both media scholars and professionals.
“Why” explores the philosophical framework and practical reasons behind the principles
guiding decision-making in journalism and mass communication: Why should we publish this not
that? Why should we protect sources? Why should we disclose potential conflicts of interest to
clients or readers, and so on.
“How” will help students with the skills in doing ethical and critical reasoning.
Ethical decision-making is a communication skill that can be learned through reading, critical
thinking, and practice. We will achieve this mainly in two ways: Class activities (lecture, class
discussion, etc) and exercises (assignments and projects). Each class session will be devoted to a
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central topic and opened with a lecture by the instructor and/or student group presentation. Details
for student group presentation will be discussed in the first class meeting.
Each of you is required to complete assigned readings for each class meeting. Informed
participation is the key to any discussion and ultimately success in this course.
Course Components and Assignments
Presentation and Discussion Leader (25 points). Each student will identify and choose one
particular issue and lead class discussion. It can be one listed in the weekly topics or other topics
not listed but related to new media/media convergence. The discussant can summarize the major
points of the issues and share with the class his or her reflections, or provide real-world cases and
situations to illustrate the concepts and issues. The discussant will also have to provide responses
to the thought questions submitted by his or her peers.
Discussion Outline and Annotated Bibliography
Student leader will have to prepare a written discussion outline and an annotated bibliography,
which should be turned in as a part of this assignment.
The discussion outline may be an extended list of the major points the student uses to aid the class
discussion. The bibliography should include at least three recent (that is, published in the last ten
years) academic publications (i.e., journal articles or book chapters), with a paragraph of text for
each indicating: first, a brief summary of the main contribution/breakthrough of this publication;
and second, how it has helped you in inspiring questions and generating ideas for moderating the
weekly discussion
The responsible student leader should email me the outline for structuring the discussion one day
before the scheduled class session. A final version of the discussion outline and annotated
bibliography, and the PowerPoint if you have one, should be emailed to me within 24 hours after
the presentation.
The discussion leadership assignment will be graded on:
1. Clarity of presentation of the related concepts and issues.
2. Preparedness both in terms of presentation content and style.
3. Class engagement and interaction.
4. The merits of the discussion outline and the annotated bibliography.
Presentation of Journal Article (15 points). Each of you will be responsible for bringing in an
essay from an academic journal that pertains to a given week’s readings together with a
critique/commentary of 1-2 pages. I will collect the article and your critique at the beginning of
each class meeting. Each week, I will ask 2-3 students at my discretion to present the author’s
ideas to the class by way of a 10-15 minute lecture. Alternatively, you can bring in a contemporary
ethical case and do a brief analysis. In this case, your paper should include an introduction of the
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case, different views on it, and your own take on it.
Term Paper (30 points). The term paper shall be a 15-20 page long research essay on one of the
topics we discussed throughout the semester. It can be the topic that you have presented in class. It
can be a case study or a literature review. The essay should include at least 10 original sources.
Two Class Debates (2x5 points). Each of you will be assigned in either the For or the Against
team, and debate on the an critical issue. You will be notified of the topic and the side you are in at
least one week before the debate.
Final Presentation (10 points). The last day of the class will feature 10 min. presentations based
on their seminar paper research.
Participation (10 points): Graduate seminars are forums to test ideas and learn the art of dialectic.
It is, or should not be, a place to mutely absorb the words of others—including the professor. Your
participation in this class is mandatory. An ideal student will bring questions and ideas to class to
offer up for discussion. That student will also be prepared either to defend his or her ideas as well
as question or critique the ideas of others. Finally, students will know when to move on. In other
words, participation for some students requires more speaking, but for others, it requires less.
Dominating the floor does not equal productive participation any more than fleeing from it. Good
participation is always a balance, to know when to step forward and when to step back.
A standard grading scale of 90-100%=A, 80-89=B, etc, will be followed. I may or may not
apply curve in final grading calculation. Following St. Cloud State University policy, letter grades
include plus and minus indications.
Student Responsibilities
1. Assigned readings. Please be noted that all assigned chapters should be completed BEFORE,
not AFTER each class session. Additional readings may be assigned. I may conduct pop-up
quizzes in class from time to time.
2. Assignments. Due dates for assignments are firm. No extensions will be given for any reason
other than documented family or medical emergencies. No exceptions, so please do not ask.
3. Students are expected to attend every class on time and prepared. Be ready to contribute to
class discussions and activities---the happy result of having done the reading and thought about it
carefully.
4. Good writing is expected. Your writing should meet at least two basic requirements: Clear and
Clean. Clear refers to clarity of writing, and clean means that your submitted copy shall be free
from serious spelling and grammatical errors. Good writing is crucial to your grade in this class,
simply because it is crucial in the careers you will soon be seeking.
5. No make-up examinations will be given except with correct and timely documentation for the
following reasons: (1) illness, (2) death in the family, or (3) an official St. Cloud State University
function in which the student is officially participating. Missed examinations result in zero; late
assignments results in a grade-letter reduction
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Academic Responsibility
Students are responsible to know and adhere to the definitions, policies, and procedures
concerning academic (mis)conduct. Ignorance is NOT an excuse. The Student Handbook is
available at no charge from the Office of Student Life and Development. Infractions will be dealt
with on an individual basis, at my discretion, and in adherence with university polices.
Plagiarism/Cheating
Academic honesty is expected. Any advantage not given to all students is dishonest whether
or not the effort is successful. Cheating on an exam will result in an F (zero). Using someone
else’s work as your own (plagiarism) OR incorrectly citing sources will also result in an F (zero)
on written and oral assignments. If asked, students must produce proof that an assignment is their
own work. Therefore, students should maintain a verifiable working process on assignments
including drafts of their work and photocopies of research materials. Please save drafts or versions
of assignments under individual computer file names. The inability to authenticate student work
upon request is sufficient grounds for failing the assignment.
A Special Note on Diversity
In line with the University and Department’s commitment to diversity, this course is intended
to serve students from all diverse backgrounds. This course values the diversity that students bring
to class, and such diversity will be viewed as a resource, strength and benefit. This instructor will
make efforts to present materials and activities that are respectful of diversity: gender, sexual
orientation, disability, age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, culture, perspective, and other
background characteristics. Your suggestions about how to improve the value of diversity in this
course are encouraged and appreciated.
In addition, diversity issues will be constantly addressed and discussed under different topics
of this class. As an incentive, students will be rewarded with extra credits to attend campus
events---lectures/presentations related to diversity issues, or write a short reflection essay on
diversity issues.
Special Needs
If you need accommodation because of a disability or other emergency, please see me
privately after class, or at my office.
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Weekly Schedule
The subject material covered on each session directly corresponds to the reading required for
that week, and/or a review/continuation of the previous class period’s subject matter. Due to the
interactive nature of this course, this schedule is tentative and subject to change. I will notice you
in advance in case of schedule modification.
Week
Topic
Reading
1 (8/28)
2 (9/4)
Introduction
Media Ethics: An overview
3 (9/11)
Philosophical Foundations
Ethical decision making
ch.1
4(9/18)
5 (9/25)
Truth & Journalism
Loyalties &Accountability
ch.2,7
ch.4,6
6(10/2)
7(10/9)
Privacy
AD &PR
Ch.5
Ch. 3
8 (10/16)
P & W. ch.11
Recess/Mid-term
9(10/23)
Visual Ethics
10 (10/30)
New Media
11 (11/6)
Ethics and Entertainment
Ch.8
Ch. 9
Ch.10
12 (11/ 13) Critical Issues of the Media
13 (11/ 20) Media Debates
14 (11/27) Thanksgiving
15 (12/4) Review/Catch Up
16 (12/11) Final Presentation
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