Syllabus 

Com 310: Foundations and Ethics

3 Hours

Dr. Janet McMullen

Updated: 02/11/2004

Objectives of the Course:

The purpose of this course to provide students with a background in basic communication theory, grounded in classical philosophy, and examination of some of the basic ethical issues in communication. Upon completion of the course, students should have tools with which to begin to develop personal guidelines for decision making in the field.

Required Texts:

Optional Reading: 

These books (some are listed at the end of this syllabus) are to be used to support discussion in class, assigned reading, and for book reviews. You are NOT required to purchase ANY of these books, though any of them would be a positive addition to your personal library. Many are available in the library. Some have been ordered into the book store, though in limited numbers. If you do NOT find the book you wish to read, let Dr. Mc know right away. She will compile a list and the bookstore will order the necessary copies. See the Optional Reading List at the end of this syllabus.  Students are strongly encouraged to select at least one book for optional extra-credit reading and to do so very early in the semester.

Course Operation:

Classes will operate with a basic lecture/discussion format. Students are expected to have all assigned reading material read prior to class on a given day. At any time the instructor perceives students have not completed the reading, a quiz may be given. Participation in classroom discussion is expected. 

BE SURE to use your pipeline account.  I will send e-mails to the class and post new class note links, web links and other information on our course page.  My highwaay site will remain active and be our "back-up", but you should consider your primary site to be on PIPELINE. All e-mail concerning the class will be sent ONLY to your pipeline e-mail address.  (Sorry, I just can't manage a gazillion other e-mail addresses with the number of students I have.)

Attendance:

Attendance is expected and university policy regarding it is applicable. Students will be unable to pass quizzes, exams and other assignments without regular classroom attendance.

Evaluation:

Tutorials: A tutorial in the context of this class is a two-page essay summarizing the student's understanding of a particular concept or topic which will be give by the instructor. This assignment is used to allow both student and instructor to assess the student's level of understanding. Tutorials will be evaluated and a point value of 0 to 50 points will be assessed. Students then have the opportunity to rewrite the tutorial and turn it in at the next class meeting. Rewrites will be assigned at grade value of 0 to 50 points and both of those grades will be combined for the final tutorial grade valued at 100 points. Students who earn 40 points or more on the first tutorial evaluation have the option of doubling those points for their grade instead of rewriting. The number of tutorials to be written will be dependent upon students' understanding of the course work, and will be assigned as the professor deems necessary. Students should expect to write at least three to four tutorials during the semester. Due to the high level of enrollment, a fewer number of tutorials may be assigned at the discretion of the instructor.

Exams: Exams will be a combination of objective items such as multiple choice, identify, fill-in-the-blank, and short answer. In addition, each 30-50% of each exam will be based on responses to essay questions. Three exams are anticipated.  The last exam may or may not be given during the final exam period.  However, students must realize that exams two and three may, due to the nature of the subject matter, include theoretical and conceptual information from earlier in the entire course. Value: 100 points each

Quizzes: Quizzes will be frequent and unannounced. Quizzes cannot be made up due to absence of any type.

Paper: Each student will be expected to write one term paper which will be due near the end of the semester. The paper will be at least 15 pages in length and will be thoroughly documented. Proper use of the language is expected and unprofessional presentation will result in a diminished grade. The paper will examine some ethical issue in communications. Topics must be approved by the instructor. This paper should demonstrate the student's ability to apply the principles and concepts discussed in class to ethical decision-making in some aspect of our field. Value: 200 pts.

For guidelines on writing term papers for Dr. Mc, see the page linked from Dr. Mc's  web site home page. 

APA STYLE guidelines can be found at several places on the web:  One good site which offers several links is : http://www.psychwww.com/resource/apacrib.htm  .  

A cite which deals with APA style for  online citations is : http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/cite6.html 

NOTE:  All written assignments -- tutorials, term papers or research projects will be turned in electronic form and in hard copy. Electronic copies should be saved as Rich Text Format Files (.rtf) or as text files (.txt) or in Microsoft Word.  You may be required to file your own paper with a specified plagiarism checking service by the designated due date.  Appropriate instructions will be given when that is appropriate.  

Book Review: Each student will be expected to read at least one book outside of class and write a review on it. The book review should be at least 5 pages in length and should address the significance of the book to the reader, its contribution to the student's perspective and the reader's evaluation of style and content. The book should not be a commentary or list of the contents of each chapter, however, when statements are made about the book, supportive examples from the book are warranted. Value: 50 pts

Extra Credit: Students may earn extra credit in this class in the following ways:

Bear Essays: On each exam a particularly difficult question will be added. This essay will be valued up to 10 extra-credit points which are added on to the regular exam points. At no time will extra-credit points allow a student to accumulate more points than are totally available during the semester. Bear essays cannot hurt your grade.

Mini-Paper: Students may do a research paper, five to eight pages in length, fully documented. The topic must be approved by the instructor. 25 points possible.

Book Review: An additional book review may be completed. Book titles should be approved by the instructor. 25 points possible.

NO MORE than 50 points may be accumulated in extra-credit book reviews and mini-papers.

Dr. Mc reserves the right to offer additional extra credit points throughout the semester as opportunities arise. These points may be accumulated in excess of the 50 points allowed in mini-papers and book reviews.

Ethics Journal:  20 points. This journal must have at least 20 entries made over the course of the semester. Each entry should have some observation of ethical practice or lack of same in a media outlet or practitioner. You may have ample opportunities to observe ethical issues as the impeachment trial proceeds. Other issues will certainly present themselves as will local and national coverage. The purpose of this assignment is to get you thinking about the ethical consequences and implications of the behaviors and choices of media practitioner. In each entry you must

This will not seem so complicated once we get into the course and each entry need be no longer than a single page. This is NOT an assignment which can be done at the last minute, and you must have ALL 20 entries to get any credit. Evaluation will be based on thoughtfulness and clarity of evaluation of the events/decisions you select.

Movies: 5 points each; no more than 15 points per semester per class. Over the years, there have been several films that specifically address issues we discuss in this class. You may watch the film, write a two-page review of it specifically relating it to the subject matter of this course. A partial list of titles includes:

Grades:

Total exam, quiz, paper, tutorial and book review points will be totaled and grades will be determined on a percentage basis:

Total points will be based on total ASSIGNED points, not including extra credit points. To determine your grade at any point in the semester, figure the total number of regular points possible so far. Then determine the above percentages of those points. Figure the number of points you have earned and add in any extra credit points you have. Compare to the point possible percentages.

SPECIAL NOTE:

This class will be one of a very conceptual nature. You may not be used to thinking and studying in these terms. The tutorials should help you assess your progress in the class and make the adjustments which may be necessary. However, please feel free to contact me at any time regarding your questions and any concerns you may have. I want you to be successful in this class, and sometimes that takes personal direction. So please see me if you have a concern, and we'll work it out together.

Let's look forward to an interesting and exciting semester!

Links :  While I am leaving these links active at this time, many of these will be updated during the semester.  Before you print these notes in preparation for an exam,  be sure they have a 2004 update at the top of the page.   HW links are to Hiwaay.

Course Calendar 2004   HW

Lecture 1 Part 2     HW  

Lecture 2: Credibility  Part 1  Pt1 HW     Part 2    Pt 2 HW

Lecture 3: Philosophical Foundations -- Part 1

Tutorial 1: Georgias

Lecture 4: Philosophical Foundations -- Part 2: Right and Wrong

Tutorial 1: Feedback   

Lecture 5: Philosophical Foundations -- Part 3: Truth    

Tutorial 2:  Postman's Amusing Ourselves To Death  

Uploading to Turnitin.com

Exam 2 Possible Essays

Tutorial 2 Feedback 

Privacy 

Confidentiality 

Conflict of Interest 

Terrorism  

Anti-Social Behavior  

310 Term Paper Guidelines

Morally Offensive Content 

Kids, Courts and Culture   

10 Questions to Ask When Making an Ethical Decision (required reading) at http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=36&aid=4346 

Possible Essays for Final Exam

All extra Credit is due by Wednesday BEFORE dead day unless special arrangements have been made with the professor!

Extra Credit Movies:   (no more than 20 points max)  Remember, you review must address the appropriate ethical topics which are part of the movie.  Consider this much more than movie review.

 

Optional Reading List: Suggested Titles to Supplement the Course:  [Note: While I have read most of the books on this list, ***** indicates a book which is a special favorite of mine and/or of students who have previously taken the class.]  While there is only one required book review in this course, many students choose to read an extra book for "insurance" extra credit.  I suggest you try to do that early in the semester.  If you find a book which relates to the course but is not on this list, be sure to have me approve the book.   There are many excellent titles which apply and I can't possibly put all of them on this list.With that said, I'll probably add more titles as the semester goes along.  Enjoy!!  Title is bold are new to the list this semester.

For additional titles: Check Dr. Mc's Web Page: http://fly.hiwaay.net/~jmcmulle/rlist.htm

 

Copyright, 2004 Janet McMullen

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