Media Ethics

Catalog description

This course examines the ethical dimensions of contemporary media. In this class, students will explore what constitutes as ethical practices, what interferes with such practices, and where emerging ethical issues may challenge individuals and groups in modern-day society as they become future media and communication professionals. Students will be introduced to ethical theories and models, which provide a basis for the critical and systematic analysis of case studies and arguments. The cases discussed in the course involve print, broadcast, and Internet news media, photojournalism, sports media, graphic design, public relations, advertising, film, and popular culture. Students will leave the course understanding the complexity of working in the media while gaining skills on how to navigate such a landscape.