Instructors:

Prof. Paul Wieland
pwieland@sbu.edu
Murphy 208| x2188
office hours:
Mon. 1-2 p.m.
Tues. 9:30 - noon
Wed. 9:30 - noon
and 1-2 p.m.
Thurs. 9:30 - noon
or by appointment

Dr. Denny Wilkins
dwilkins@sbu.edu
Murphy 210 | x2511
office hours:
Monday through Thursday
2:30 to 3:45 p.m.
or by appointment

Catalog course
description:

(Majors only)
The course introduces
students to ethical
dilemmas faced by
practitioners in the fields
of journalism and mass
communication. It will
provide them with a basis
for thought processes
and analysis critical to
finding solutions. Readings
and case studies will be
complemented by guest
speakers who have been
confronted by ethical
challenges. 3 credits; juniors, seniors only.

J/MC program goals

Final exam schedule

Useful sites

Codes of ethics online

Ethics cases online

Ethics in campus media
[cum grano salis]

Freedom Forum
First Amendment

Journal of Mass Media Ethics

Poynter Institute
ethics resources

Purpose of journalism

SPJ's Ethics in Journalism

Index of philosophers
[Trinity Coll. site]

PRSA ethics resources

NPR Code of Ethics

RTNDA Code of Ethics

NewsLab broadcast
ethics checklist

Reporters Committee
for Freedom of the Press

Investigative Reporters
and Editors

Writing a code of ethics

Media ethics bibliography

Media ethics articles

State of the
News Media 2004

Newswatch:
Views on the News

Citizens Bill
of Journalism Rights

Minnesota News Council


Ignorance is of a peculiar
nature; once dispelled,
it is impossible to re-establish
it. It is not originally a thing of itself, but is only the absence
of knowledge; and though man may be kept ignorant, he may
not be made ignorant. ... Such
is the nature of truth, that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing.
The sun needs no inscription
to distinguish him from darkness.

-- Thomas Paine


The free communication of thoughts and opinions is one of man’s most precious rights. Every citizen may therefore speak, write, and publish freely, except that he shall be responsible for the abuse
of that freedom in cases determined by law.

-- ‘Declaration of Rights of Man and the Citizen’ presented to National Assembly in August 1789


I have always
believed it's our
job as journalists to
warn the passengers
of icebergs if we can see them.

-- John Eberth
reporter, The Times Herald
of Olean, N.Y.


Watchdogs have
to react quickly
as well as barking loud.

-- Joseph A. Davis, director,
First Amendment Watchdog Project of the Society of Environmental Journalists
SEJournal, Summer 2004


The press has the
power to shape how
people think about
what’s important,
to shape reality.
But whose reality
is depicted?

-- Brent Cunningham
managing editor
Columbia Journalism Review


Students with disabilities who believe that they may need accommodations
in this class
are encouraged to contact the Disability Support Services Offices, Doyle Room 26, at
375-2066, as soon as possible
to better ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. Documentation from this office is required before accommodations can be made.

Think critically about ethical issues

This course introduces students to ethical dilemmas faced by practitioners in the fields of journalism and mass communication and provides them with a basis for thought processes and analysis critical to finding solutions. Readings and case studies may be complemented by guest speakers who have been confronted by ethical questions.

This is not a "lecture" course. This is a seminar -- an intellectual method of inquiry that requires the full, carefully prepared participation of both instructors and students alike.

The course topics should be explored through discussions organized and overseen principally by the students. We'll discuss this fully later, but this is what that means: Students will take turns in moderating the seminar. Each will introduce -- not merely summarize -- the material (in perhaps a 10-minute opening statement), offer a few carefully thought-out questions or issues on which seminarians may focus and "guide" the discussion.

The instructors will, of course, participate; however, it should be noted that effective class participation is expected of all students.

The learning objectives of this course include:

• understanding the need for ethical conduct personally and professionally.
• understanding the basic philosophical principles, such as Kant’s categorical imperative, Mill’s principle of utility and Aristotle’s golden mean, from which standards of ethical conduct for communicators are derived.
• becoming familiar with contemporary issues and controversies surrounding the mass media and ethics.
• recognizing an ethical problem as differentiated from inadequate reporting or obvious wrongdoing.
• understanding the need to rationally, methodically or systematically gather information prior to making a decision about an ethical issue.
• reasoning your way to a course of action that you can confidently defend.
• considering and understanding how journalists and mass communicators' actions help or hurt people in ways large and small.
• understanding the need for clear, consistent and frequently reviewed ethics policies in media organizations.

READ THIS: Tips on preparing for discussions in a seminar course.
READ THIS: Tips on leading discussions in a seminar course.

Materials you'll need

• Media Ethics: Issues and Cases (5th ed.) by Philip Patterson and Lee Wilkins.
• Other readings to be provided by instructors.

What you'll be graded on

Briefing papers: Students will write up to FIVE papers (500 words each) in which they explain and support proposed solutions to ethical dilemmas. 10 points each.

Final briefing paper: This should reflect how you have come to think about ethical practices in the communication industry. We encourage you to be thoughtful and innovative. We'll discuss this in detail near the end of the semester. 30 points.

Class participation: The instructors do not consider lengthy, rambling, disorganized statements to be effective class participation. Often, a terse statement, well timed, can make a telling point. It is not the intent of the instructors to "grade" your class participation. Your grade will not be lowered for lack of class participation. However, the instructors may raise your grade significantly from the calculated average of your written work if your seminar participation is effective and thoughtful.

If you receive 90 percent of all possible points, at minimum you will receive an A minus for the course; 80 percent of all possible points, B minus and so forth.

Not completing any two assignments by assigned deadlines may be considered failure to complete the course and may result in a failing grade for the course.

How to submit papers to your instructors

Always submit TWO hard copies. You have TWO instructors.

In the upper lefthand corner of the first page, place your name, the paper's due date, course number, assignment number and word count.

Begin your story at least one-third of the way down the page. Doublespace your work. Use 2-inch margins. Indent the first line of each paragraph. Your instructors need room to write comments.

Assignments must conform to Associated Press style. Language-use errors -- which erode clarity -- won't be tolerated and will be considered in grading.

Attendance and deadlines

Attendance is required. Only verifiable illness, injury or extreme family emergencies will constitute excused absences. Unexcused absences will result in a third-of-letter-grade deduction for each.

Deductions will be made on assignments handed in after assignment deadlines.

Neither instructor tolerates tardiness. Being late to class is rude and represents poor decision-making. Chronic tardiness will result in a deduction from your final grade.

Academic honesty policy

The university requires that syllabi contain this statement:

Academic dishonesty is inconsistent with the moral character expected of students in a University committed to the spiritual and intellectual growth of the whole person. It also subverts the academic process by distorting all measurements. It is a serious matter and will be dealt with accordingly. A list of unacceptable practices, penalties to be assigned, and procedures to be followed in prosecuting cases of alleged academic dishonesty may be found in the Student Handbook.

In other words, don't plagiarize.

To quote Professor John Hanchette: "Plagiarism is when you try to pass off someone else's ideas and words as your own. It comes from the old Latin noun plagiarius, meaning 'kidnapper.' You get the idea. Fabrication is simply making something up, like a source or a quote. This includes distortion or fractional truths." Don't even think about cheating.

If you cheat, you will face charges specified in the student handbook. You could be suspended or expelled. If you are uncertain about whether what you plan to do could be an act of academic dishonesty, then it probably is. Always ask first.

You can't claim the words, thoughts and ideas of others as your own. If you do, at minimum, you may expect to be dismissed from the course with a failing grade.

If you don't understand what plagiarism is, visit these sites:

Plagiarize, plagiarize, plagiarize ... (Columbia Journalism Review report)
Plagiarism.org
Plagiarism
Plagiarism and the Web
Plagiarism in colleges in the USA
Plagiarism and Anti-Plagiarism

Semester outline

Preparation for class assumes working knowledge of assigned reading and the cases in each chapter. Note: Breaking news regarding media ethics may require adjustments to the syllabus. Be sure to check Romenesko, Daily Briefing and Editor and Publisher Interactive before each class.

Monday, Jan. 17 -- Introduction
Wednesday, Jan. 19 -- Chapter I: Ethical Decision Making
Monday, Jan. 24 -- Chapter I continued
Wednesday, Jan. 26 -- Chapter II: Information Ethics
Monday, Jan. 31 -- Chapter II continued
Wednesday, Feb. 2-- discussion of Assn. 1
Monday, Feb. 7 -- Assn. 1 due; Chapter III: Advertising Ethics
Wednesday, Feb. 9 -- Chapter III continued
Monday, Feb. 14 -- Chapter IV: Loyalty
Wednesday, Feb. 16 -- discussion of Assn. 2; Chapter IV continued
Monday, Feb. 21 -- Assn. 2 due; Chapter V: Public Relations
Wednesday, Feb. 23 -- Chapter V continued
Monday, Feb. 28 -- Spring Break
Wednesday, March 2 -- Spring Break
Monday, March 7 -- Chapter VI: Privacy
Wednesday, March 9 -- Chapter VI continued
Monday, March 14 -- Chapter VII: Keeping A Promise
Wednesday, March 16 -- discussion of Assn. 3; Chapter VII continued
Monday, March 21 -- Assn. 3 due; Chapter VIII: Media Economics
Wednesday, March 23 -- Chapter VIII continued
Monday, March 28 -- Easter Break
Wednesday, March 30 -- discussion of Assn. 4; Chapter XI: Photo Ethics
Monday, April 4 -- Assn. 4 due; Chapter XI continued
Wednesday, April 6 -- Chapter X: Ethics In Cyberspace
Monday, April 11 -- Chapter X continued
Wednesday, April 13 -- Chapter XI: Ethics Of Art And Entertainment
Monday, April 18 -- Assn. 5 due; Chapter XI continued
Wednesday, April 20 -- Easter Break
Monday, April 25 -- Chapter XII: Becoming a Moral Adult
Wednesday, April 27 -- Open
Monday, May 2 -- Open
Wednesday, May 4 -- Last class

Final paper (Assn. 6) due at beginning of final exam period.



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