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Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title Ethics of Journalism
Module Code CM154
School School of Communications
Online Module Resources

Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: Steven Knowlton
Semester 2: Steven Knowlton
Autumn: Steven Knowlton
Module TeacherSteven Knowlton
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 10
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
Description
This module engages the question: What ought journalists to do? It has readings in classical ethical theory -- Plato and Aristotle -- Enlightenment thinkers such as Kant and J.S. Mill, and contemporary writers such as Jonathan Haight and Peter Singer. It has a component of democratic political theory and a substantial engagement with journalism as it is practiced today in all media form.

Learning Outcomes
1. 1. Answer the questions, "What ought I to do?" and "On whose authority?"
2. 2. Apply classical ethical theory to contemporary professional communication practice
3. 3. Resolve contradictory moral obligations in the field of journalism and other mass communication professions
4. 4. Participate meaningfully and compellingly in group discussion of ethical quandries and connundrums
5. 5. Write thoughtfully and reasonably on matters of resolving moral dilemmas in the field of journalism and other areas of professional communication
6. Place journalistic moral obligation in the context of Western liberal democracies and consider alternative contexts



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture22Mandatory attendance
Assignment100weekly short essays, subsantial final essay
Independent learning time128Readings in classical texts, contemporary practice
Total Workload: 250

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Introduction to moral reasoning.
The role of the self.

The role of the divine.
The Telos from Aristotle to Mill.

Moral obligation from Plato to Kant.
David Hume and the passions.

Democratic political theory.
The role of a free press in democratic political theory.

Impediments and filters: Culture.
Impediments and filters: Technology. Journalism ethics in an instantaneous, global world.

Impediments and filters: Economics.
Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
EssaySubstantial inquiry, approximately 2,000-3,000 words, into the ethical dimensions of contemporary practice, drawing upon the texts to bolster deontological or consequentialist argument for the moral rightness (or wrongness) of behavior, and putting the results into a broad ethical context.50%Once per semester
AssignmentShort essays, approximately 500-800 words, submitted weekly, expressing increasingly sophisticated understanding of concepts of classical and modern moral reasoning and understanding, and application to contemporary professional journalistic praceiced50%Every Week
Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List
  • Steven R. Knowlton: 1997, Moral reasoning for journalists, First, All, Praeger, Westport, Conn., 0-275-94871-4
  • 0-07-247690-7: 2006, Elements of Moral Philosophy, 6th, all, McGraw-Hill, New York,
  • William Frankena: 1973, Ethics, 2d, Prentice-Hall, New Jersey,
  • Jack Fuller: 1996, News values, First, All, University of Chicago Press, Chicago, Ill., 0-226-26879.9
  • Peter Singer, ed: 2005, Ethics Oxford Reader, OUP,
  • A.C. Grayling,: 0, What Is Good?, 1st, all, Phoenix, London, 0-75381-755-1
  • Jonathan Haidt: 2012, The Righteous Mind,
Other Resources
4802, 0, A wide variety of news and other related sites,
Array
Programme or List of Programmes
GIBA Gaeilge agus Iriseoireacht
HMSAStudy Abroad (Humanities & Soc Science)
JRBA in Journalism
Timetable this semester: Timetable for CM154
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