- This is for a MEDIA ETHICS unit.
- The question is: "Discuss the media’s responsibilities when it comes to reporting on Indigenous citizens or minority ethnic groups. Taking into account both journalism’s “fourth estate” function and its privileged position in the public sphere, consider why the issue of setting guidelines for “race reporting” is an often divisive one. Be sure to refer to the readings set for relevant topics. Illustrate your discussion with references to specific cases where relevant."Examples from specific media outlets are preferred - I was thinking about focusing on The Guardian.I have attached the unit outline (go to 3. Essay for info on this specific assignment), the assignment cover page, and a document of research and sources I've done.
Acknowledgement of Country We respectfully acknowledge the Indigenous Elders, custodians, their descendants and kin of this land past and present. The Centre for Aboriginal Studies aspires to contribute to positive social change for Indigenous Australians through higher education and research. Syllabus This unit explores key theories and concepts in ethical reasoning and develops skills in critical thinking on issues of professional ethics in journalism and the media. Students will develop a toolkit of concepts and strategies with which ethical questions and dilemmas can be addressed in the areas of journalism, media and mass communication. Unit study package code: JOUR2001 Mode of study: Internal Tuition pattern summary: Note: For any specific variations to this tuition pattern and for precise information refer to the Learning Activities section. Seminar: 1 x 3 Hours Weekly This unit does not have a fieldwork component. Credit Value: 25.0 Pre-requisite units: 1557 (v.0) Journalism Introduction to Print 111 or any previous version OR JOUR1000 (v.0) Introduction to Journalism - Writing or any previous version Co-requisite units: Nil Anti-requisite units: JOUR5014 (v.0) Media Ethics or any previous version Result type: Grade/Mark Approved incidental fees: Information about approved incidental fees can be obtained from our website. Visit fees.curtin.edu.au/incidental_fees.cfm for details. Unit coordinator: Title: Dr Name: Thomas Yesudhasan Phone: +618 9266 7643 Email:
[email protected] Location: Building: 208 - Room: Level 4, Room 416 Teaching Staff: Administrative contact: Name: MCASI Teaching Support Team Phone: +61 8 9266 7598 Email:
[email protected] Location: Building: 208 - Room: 414 Learning Management System: Blackboard (lms.curtin.edu.au) Unit Outline JOUR2001 Media Ethics Semester 1, 2019 Faculty of Humanities School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry JOUR2001 Media Ethics Bentley Campus 14 Feb 2019 School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry, Faculty of Humanities Page: 1 of 14 CRICOS Provider Code 00301J The only authoritative version of this Unit Outline is to be found online in OASIS http://karda.curtin.edu.au/ http://fees.curtin.edu.au/incidental_fees.cfm http://lms.curtin.edu.au/ Introduction Welcome to JOUR2001 Media Ethics. In this unit you will study a range of issues concerning the ethical dimension of working in the media and in media-related professions. Although primarily focusing on journalism ethics, you will also become familiar with ethical questions, dilemmas and possible solutions in advertising and public relations. The knowledge and skills acquired here are an essential part of being a modern media professional, whether that is in journalism, media production, media management, media marketing or public relations. Many of the cases and examples you will be studying are drawn from actual problems and incidents in television, radio, the press, public relations and advertising. In addition, you will be examining the philosophical foundations of the ethical reasoning we use today, from the ancient Greeks to contemporary thinkers. Lectures will provide you with an overview of the topic for each week. The tutorials have been arranged to allow you plenty of time to critically examine, discuss and debate the ethical issues with your fellow students. The core values, practices, and ethical principles learned in this unit will be crucial for students of Mass Communication, Journalism and other discipline areas who seek to publish on a variety of media platforms including print, online, radio, and television. Unit Learning Outcomes All graduates of Curtin University achieve a set of six Graduate Capabilities during their course of study. These inform an employer that, through your studies, you have acquired discipline knowledge and a range of other skills and capabilities which employers would value in a professional setting. Each unit in your course addresses the Graduate Capabilities through a clearly identified set of learning outcomes. They form a vital part in the process referred to as assurance of learning. The learning outcomes notify you of what you are expected to know, understand or be able to do in order to be successful in this unit. Each assessment for this unit is carefully designed to test your knowledge of one or more of the unit learning outcomes. On successfully completing all of the assessments you will have achieved all of these learning outcomes. Your course has been designed so that on graduating you will have achieved all of Curtin's Graduate Capabilities through the assurance of learning processes in each unit. Curtin's Graduate Capabilities Learning Activities The tuition mode for JOUR2001 Media Ethics consists of a weekly three hour seminar. You are encouraged to attend these and to have read the set readings each week. You are expected to actively participate in the tutorial discussion and any group learning activities. Tutorial discussions and activities will be guided by a tutor, will be based on the weekly set readings, and will generally be led by observations and questions presented by one or more students each week. Lecture content may vary according to current issues in the media, especially those relevant to this unit. Other Learning Activities Students are required to bring cases/ samples from recent media (newspapers, magazines, news websites etc.,) to lectures and tutorial classes for discussion. Learning Resources Library Reading List The Reading List for this unit can be accessed through Blackboard. Essential texts The required textbook(s) for this unit are: On successful completion of this unit students can: Graduate Capabilities addressed 1 Explain and critique key frameworks in moral philosophy as applied to journalism 2 Apply the Journalists' Code of Ethics and other professional media standards and codes 3 Appraise the values and principles underpinning contributions to debates over media standards and professional conduct 4 Evaluate the conduct and values expressed in particular cases of controversial media practice Apply discipline knowledge, principles and concepts Innovative, creative and entrepreneurial Effective communicators with digital competency Globally engaged and responsive Culturally competent to engage respectfully with local First Peoples and other diverse cultures Industry connected and career capable Find out more about Curtin's Graduate Capabilities at the Curtin Learning and Teaching website: clt.curtin.edu.au Faculty of Humanities School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry JOUR2001 Media Ethics Bentley Campus 14 Feb 2019 School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry, Faculty of Humanities Page: 2 of 14 CRICOS Provider Code 00301J The only authoritative version of this Unit Outline is to be found online in OASIS http://clt.curtin.edu.au/ l Vardy, P. & Grosch, P. (1999). The Puzzle of Ethics. London: HarperCollins. (ISBN/ISSN: 0-00-628144-3) l Christians C.G. et al. (2015). Media Ethics: Cases and Moral Reasoning (9th Edition). Taylor and Francis. This resource is also available as a book from the Robertson Library. (ISBN/ISSN: 9781317346524) Online resources l Vardy, P. & Grosch, P. (1999). The Puzzle of Ethics. London: HarperCollins. (http://link.library.curtin.edu.au/p?pid=CUR_ALMA2181162730001951) (ISBN/ISSN: 0-00-628144-3) l Christians C.G. et al. (2015). Media Ethics: Cases and Moral Reasoning (9th Edition). Taylor and Francis. This resource is also available as a book from the Robertson Library. (http://link.library.curtin.edu.au/p?pid=CUR_ALMA51129761020001951) (ISBN/ISSN: 9781317346524) Other resources Weekly Journal Article and Chapter Readings These readings will be available in the Readings List accessible via the unit's Blackboard. *** NOTE: For each week, one or two of the readings set for the topic will be designated as ESSENTIAL. Familiarity with these essential readings constitutes the minimum requirement for effective participation in tutorial discussion, and so it is vital that you complete these readings prior to attending the tutorial and that you bring them to class. Semester Timetable and Syllabus Please see the unit calendar for how these topics will be organised and presented in the seminar. Topic 1 Introduction Lecture Overview of unit: the issue of moral relativism; underpinnings of moral theory; ethics as a guide to responsible action; the need for ethics. Tutorial Introductions; selection of tutorial topics; due dates for papers; tutor instructions. Study Q 1. Is the study of ethics relevant to media professionals? Can ethics make a difference? Discussion of the influences and people involved in establishing guiding principles and values in our lives – e.g. religion, family etc. Topic 2 Foundations of Ethical Reasoning Lecture Plato, Socrates, Aristotle and virtue ReadingVardy & Grosch, "Plato - Virtue and Knowledge"(Chapter 2). Essential. Vardy & Grosch, Aristotle and Virtue Theory• (Chapter 3). Essential. Adam, Craft & Cohen (2004) Three Essays on Journalism and Virtue, Journal of Mass Media Ethics 19 (3&4), 247-275. Steiner, L. & Okrusch, C.M. (2006). Care As a Virtue for Journalists, Journal of Mass Media ethics, 21 (2 & 3), 102-122. Levy, N.(2004). Good Character: Too little, Too late, Journal of Mass Media Ethics, 19 (2), 108-118. Study Q 1. Discuss the concept of moral virtue. What are Aristotle’s virtues and are they relevant today? Are they relevant to journalism? Give specific examples from the media and apply the ethical principles. 2. For Aristotle, is the well-being of a group more important than that of any one individual in the group? Discuss with respect to a problem or controversy in modern society and journalism. Apply the ethical principles and concepts while illustrating your discussion. Topic 3 Utilitarianism Lecture Moral usefulness and Consequentialist Ethics. Ends and Means. The greatest good for the greatest number. The relationship between ethics and politics. ReadingVardy & Grosch, “Bentham and Mill — Utilitarianism” (Chapter 6). Essential. Christians, C.G. (2007). Utilitarianism in Media Ethics and Its Discontents, Journal of Mass Media Ethics 22 (2&3), 113-31. Vardy & Grosch, “Justice and Morality — Rawls and Nozick” (Chapter 11). Essential. Quinn, A. (2007). Moral Virtues for Journalists, Journal of Mass Media Ethics, 22 (2&3), 168-186. Elliott,D.(2007) Getting Mill Right, Journal of Mass Media Ethics, 22 (2&3), 100-112. Study Q 1. How does utilitarianism conceive of “pleasure”? How does this conception compare with the Greek notion of “happiness” ('eudaimonia')? How does utilitarianism differ from virtue theory more generally? Give examples from the contemporary media, apply the principles of Utilitarianism, and cite the above readings where appropriate