The media, in all its manifestations, play a seminal part in what we think about, who we vote for, what we eat, drink, dress in and drive. At a deeper level, the media even shape how we define ourselves. Since the invention of the printing press, the enormous power of the media to inform, manipulate and even change people's opinions has been exploited and, of course, abused. Often, the purveyors of information are faced with dilemmas in which several possible courses of action seem equally fraught with danger and ethical ambiguity and seem equally valid.

Mass Media Ethics will concentrate principally on the study of moral and ethical conduct within many different communications contexts. The spine of each class will consist of "ethical scenarios"  real (or sometimes fictitious) situations in which the ethical challenge will be identified and laid out, its origins examined, courses of action and their consequences discussed and, if possible, principles or guidelines formulated. The goal of the course is to provide you with the tools and procedures to recognize and resolve ethical challenges that you will inevitably encounter during your professional life.

TEXTS AND TOOLS

"Media Ethics" 3rd Edition, by Philip Patterson and Lee Wilkins (McGraw Hill: 1998).

Students will also be assigned to read articles on Web sites. A subscription to the Los Angeles Times or The Orange County Register.

Ethics-related journals:

• Brill's Content. Available at bookstores
• Columbia Journalism Review. Available in the library (PN 4700.C72).
• Editor & Publisher. Available in the library (PN 4700.E4).
• Journal of Advertising. Available in the library (HF5801 J59).
• Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media. Available in the library (PN1991 J61).
• Journal of Mass Media Ethics. Available in the library (P94 J68).
• Journal of Popular Film and Television. Available in the library (PN1993 J661).
• News Photographer. Available in the library (TR820 N273).
• Public Relations Quarterly. Available in the library (HM263 P76).
• The Quill. Available in the library (PN4700 Q5).

"Doing Ethics in Journalism: A Handbook With Case Studies" by Jay Black et al

"Lying: Moral Choice in Public and Private Life" by Sissela Bok

"Good News: Social Ethics and the Press" Clifford Christians et al

"Images That Injure: Pictorial Stereotypes in the Media" edited by Paul Lester

As I am a working journalist, I want this course to deal with current media issues as much as possible. Class time will be divided between short lectures, discussions of assigned reading, and student-led panels for ethical scenarios. Participation is mandatory, and class preparedness essential, if you want to get the most out of this course.

Web sites

As this is the first class I have taught with a dedicated Web site, I'm not sure yet how I'll use it. I'll know more by the second week of the semester. I will undoubtedly post announcements concerning assignments, lecture outlines, handouts and possible grades.

Lectures Note

• Lecture # 1

• Lecture # 2

• Lecture # 3

• Lecture # 4

• Lecture # 5

• Lecture # 6

• Lecture # 7

• Lecture # 8

• Lecture # 9

• Lecture # 10

• Lecture # 11

All work must be original. Students caught plagiarizing will receive a zero for that assignment.  Please set your beepers and cell phones to vibrate so they won't disturb other students.  Please take your private conversations outside the classroom. 

Grades

The commentaries will be based on case studies. You must articulate the ethical issues at stake and your position on the issues. Two or three pages. 

The subject of the paper must be approved by me. It should examine a major ethical situation with at least two examples. Five pages minimum. 

The tests will consist of short essay questions. They will be based on lecture and reading material, and they will be closed book.

Students, particularly those assigned to the lead the discussions, will be expected to be active participants in this class. I will be keeping notes on the quality and quantity of your comments.

Homework is due at the beginning of class. I will accept homework through the rest of that day. You may fax it to me. Ask the