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ETHICAL ISSUES
IN COMMUNICATION Fall 2010. Thursdays
To find out if classes will meet in bad weather, call 704-337-2567.
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Textbooks: Arnett et al. (2009). Communication ethics literacy: Dialogue and difference
Hugo, V., Les Miserables. (Suggested.)
Course Description: Enron. Madoff. Blair. Napster. Adelphia. British Petroleum. The
individuals and organizations practicing “What not to do” with regard to
performing ethically often make the news, and their names linger as cultural
shorthand for dishonor. But how do people distinguish between the wrong
choices and the right ones? What standards can we hold up as “What to do” to
guide our decision-making case by case? How do we take focus such concepts
on our practice of communication? This course is designed to help you answer
such questions.
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Guided by the framework provided by our text, you and your classmates will
lead us all in discussions to explore ethical issues in communication. Each week
you will bring to class a response to the assigned material that analyzes and
evaluates it according to your experience.
Further, just as the text applies the theory to behavior and decision-making in
Victor Hugo’s story of Les Miserables, you will demonstrate your understanding
of the material by applying theory to scenes from a film. We will move on to
discuss examples from our own experience and current events. You will finish
by adding to your original response by responding to class activity.
Course Objectives: After successfully completing this class, you will be able to:
1. Identify at least five ethical issues in communication in class
discussions and reflection papers.
2. Identify at least five bases for ethical choices based on published
theoretical and philosophical thought in reflection papers.
3. Discuss at least five ethical concepts in depth in reflection papers.
4. Discuss ethical concepts thoroughly as they apply to one communication
issue in a 10- to 15-page paper.
5. Illustrate your understanding of ethical guidelines in professional or
personal contexts by applying them to your own experience and
observations in class discussions and reflection papers.
6. Demonstrate your ability to explore one ethics topic thoroughly in class
presentation and research paper.
7. Demonstrate understanding of ethics terminology in class discussions and
reflection papers.
COMM M.A. Students: Keep this syllabus and your completed assignments for your
Capstone portfolio.
Course Responsibilities:
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ATTENDING: Please let me know by e-mail if you know something will keep
you out of class, and attach your reflection. You are responsible for the work you
miss. Call classmates to review class activity. Students who miss more than three
classes should meet with me to determine their likelihood of success. That being
said, we all want you to miss the class if you are sick. Really.
Reflections
Demonstrate your engagement with the reading by submitting weekly
reflections that discuss reading concepts according to your own
experience or observations. You have ten (10) opportunities to write
reflections. Please submit nine (9). The first reflection is ungraded but I
will comment on it. You may skip the week you lead the class.
Due: Weekly
Value: 36% (12@3%)
Ethics Presentation
Lead the class discussion on a concept or family of concepts from the
assigned chapter. Illustrate the concept with a 15- to 30-second scene
from a film. Lead a discussion of concepts from the text. Enhance the
discussion with additional scholarly research you have found: summarize
the additional readings and suggest others in an annotated Reading List.
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Paper
Discuss an ethical issue in communication. This paper is your exam.
Bring it to the last class for discussion.
Due: Dec. 9
Value: 40%
Grading scale:
A Superior work
B Good work. Could improve one of these areas:
ideas, argument or grammar.
C Acceptable work. Needs to improve two of these
areas: ideas, argument or grammar.
F Unacceptable work. Reflects unacceptable
level of commitment or skill.
(No grad student should ever earn an F.)
Students with disabilities: If you are a student with a verified disability and you require
accommodations, please provide me with the memorandum from Student Disability Services.
If you have questions or need such verification, contact: Sandy Rogelberg, MA, LPC, NCC
Phone: 704-337-2508
Email: rogelbes@queens.edu
Proposed Schedule:
Please read the assigned chapters and print out a 1-3 paragraph response for each class. Write
your class reflection on the back of your reading response.
Reading: Ch. 1, 2
Due: Reading Response and Reflection for Ch. 1 & 2
Last day to drop
30 Dialogic ethics
Reading: Ch. 5
Presentation:
Due: Reading Response and Reflection for Ch. 5
Due: Research topics.
18 Share drafts of your paper with peer reviewers. Professor away at conference.
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30 Thanksgiving Break
COMM 614
Writing a reflection paper
The primary purpose for short reflection papers is to get you to digest your reading and class
discussions by applying the new concepts or perspectives you are learning to your personal
experience and observations. The reflection also gives you material to contribute to class
discussions by either serving as the basis for your contributions, or prompting you to continue
thinking and formulating a further response.
Evaluation:
3 + Excellent: Demonstrates insight into some of the material
Features one concept
Explores concept deeply rather than covering everything you read.
3 Good: Connects ideas from other courses, work, current events etc.
Provides acceptable application of the material
3 - Incomplete
Needs focus
Needs application
Needs organization
Needs vocabulary/spelling/grammar review
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Name: _____________________________
COMM 614
Contact information
and Honor Code Pledge
Address: ________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
E-mail: _________________________________________________________
Honor Code:
As a member of the Queens Community, I will endeavor to create a spirit
of integrity and honor for its own sake at Queens University of Charlotte.