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1COMM 614

ETHICAL ISSUES

IN COMMUNICATION

Fall 2010. ThursdaysTo find out if classes will meet in bad weather, call 704-337-2567.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Instructor: Leanne Pupchek, Ph.D.

Office: 101 Dana

Office Hours: Monday 1p.m. to 4 p.m.

Tues./Thursday 10-11 a.m., noon 1 p.m., 3 to 4:15 p.m.After class and by appointment.

Phone: (704) 337-2240 (office)(704) 663-4861 (home before 6 p.m.)

Textbooks: Arnett et al. (2009). Communication ethics literacy: Dialogue and difference

Hugo, V.,Les Miserables. (Suggested.)

Course Prerequisites: Graduate standing.

Course Description: Enron. Madoff. Blair. Facebook. 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 culturalshorthand 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 conceptson our practice of communication? This course is designed to help you answer

such questions.

http://www.queens.edu/default.asp

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Guided by the dialogic framework provided by our text, that aspires to foster

common ground in this historical moment when there seems to be none, you andyour 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

contexts drawn from Victor HugosLes Miserables, you will demonstrate your

understanding of the material by applying theory to scenes from a film. We willmove on to discuss examples from our own experience and current events. You

will finish each class adding to your original response by responding to our class

activity.

Course Objectives: After successfully completing this class, you will be able to:

1. Explain your understanding of the contributions of the concept of dialogue to

communication ethics.

2. Explain why the authors contend thatLearningis the first step incommunication ethics.

3. Explain the ethical concept of the Good.3. Explain the role of difference in identifying the Good.

4. Discuss at least five ethical concepts in depth in reflection papers.

5. Discuss ethical concepts thoroughly as they apply to one communication issue

in a 10- to 15-page paper.6. 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.7. Demonstrate appropriate use of ethics terminology in class discussions and

reflection papers.

COMM M.A. Students: Keep this syllabus and your completed assignments for your

Capstone portfolio.

Learning management system: Moodle

Submit course assignments and other requested materials using the Learning

Management System Moodle. To be able to use this system, your computer

equipment needs to meet these specifications:

PC: Access: 56.6 Kbps modem or cable modem/DSL if available

Operating system: Windows 95, 98, 2000, NT, ME, XP or Vista

Browser: Explorer 5.5 or later, Firefox

Mac: Access: 56.6 Kbps modem or cable modem/DSL if available

Operating system: OS 9 or OS X

Browser: FirefoxYou can get help with your technology needs by calling the QUEST help desk at

704-337-2323. For Moodle training, contact williamsja@queens.edu.

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Course Responsibilities:

READING: This course requires reading about 60-100 pages a week.

ATTENDING: Please let me know by e-mail and attach your reflection or

submit it by Moodle if something will keep you out of class. You are responsiblefor 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.

CONFORMING TO PROFESSIONAL WRITING STANDARDS: To meet my

expectations for the style of your formal written work, please ensure you:1. Review and follow the honor code. Cutting and pasting anything from the web

without attribution is plagiarizing, even if you mix up the order of the words or

change them to synonyms. (You can always go to the writing center in the

basements of Sykes if you want to improve your prose.)2. Submit all formal documents word-processed, double-spaced, in 11- or 12-

point type.3. Conform to a standard academic reference and citation style. In the graduate

program, we prefer American Psychological Association (APA) style. The

library has quick reference guides, as do many websites.

4. Use standard print fonts (Arial, Times Roman, Helvetica).5. Number each page of your document in the upper right-hand corner.

6. If you are submitting hard copies, attach a cover page that notes the title of

your document, your name, course number, and e-mail address. Stapledocuments in the upper left-hand corner.

COMPLETING ASSIGNMENTS: Submit assignments electronically bymidnight the day before, or in hard copy at the beginning of class on the due

date.

Reflections

Demonstrate your engagement with the reading by submitting weekly

reflections that follow the prompts. Refer to your own experience or

observations. Please submit reflections for nine (9) weeks.Due: Weekly

Value: 45% (9@5%)

Presentations: Ethics in contexts

Lead the class discussion on the consideration of an ethical issue in

communication in an interpersonal, intercultural, organizational orprofessional context. Illustrate the concept with a 15- to 30-second scene

from a film. You may enhance the discussion by referring to additional

scholarly research and providing a short bibliography of additional

materials.

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Due: Oct. 28, Nov. 4, Nov. 11 (One day of these three.)

Value: 15%

Paper

Discuss an ethical issue in communication. Bring it to the last class fordiscussion.

Topic Due: Sept. 30

Paper Due: Dec. 9Value: 40%

Grading scale:

A Superior workB 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.

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, NCCPhone: 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. Writeyour class reflection on the back of your reading response.

Sept. 9 Introduction. Film discussion model. Template.

Choose a day to lead the class.View: Les Miserables

Write reflections according to Moodle prompts.

15 Last day to add

16 The necessity of communication ethics

Reading: Preface, Ch. 1Due: Reflections for Preface, Ch. 1

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Presentations:

The GoodHistorical Moment

Postmodernity

LearningOther questions and answers

Discuss research topics.

Last day to drop

23 Defining communication ethicsNO CLASS MEETING: Chat on Moodle 6 p.m. 7 p.m.

Continue discussion on Moodle wiki

Reading: Ch. 2

Due: Reflections for Ch. 2Presentations:

Philosophy of CommunicationApplied Communication

Rhetorical function of Narrative

Competing Narratives

(Presenters, please post presentation and link to YouTube where you will findmany materials to use as illustrations. I will review the wiki postings and use the

announcements function of our Moodle site.)

30 The pragmatic good of theoryReading: Ch. 3

Due:Reflections for Ch. 3Presentations:

Democratic communication ethics

Universal humanitarianCodes, procedures and standards

Contextual

Narrative

DialogicDue: Research topics.

Oct. 1-2 Carolinas Communication Assoc. Conference, Conway-Myrtle Beach SC

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Oct. 7 Common Sense and Dialogue

Reading: Ch.4, 5Presentations:

Common Sense

LearningTheories

Dialogue

BuberGadamer

Freire

Arendt

Due:Reflections for Ch. 4, 5

14 Fall Break. No class.

21 Public discourse ethicsReading: Ch. 6

Presentations:Public Good

Accountability/eclipsing the ethical

Public v. private space

Due:Reflections for Ch. 6

27 Last day to withdraw

28 CONTEXTS: Interpersonal and Intercultural communication ethicsReading: Ch. 7, 9

Due:Reflections for Ch.7

Nov. 4 CONTEXTS: Organizational and professionalReading: Ch. 8, 10, 11Due:Reflections for Ch. 8, 10, 11

11 Communication ethics literacy and difference

Reading: Ch. 12Due:Reflections for Ch. 12

18 Share drafts of your paper with peer reviewers. Professor away at conference.

Due: 3-5 copies of yourResearch Paper Draft.

30 Thanksgiving Break

Dec. 2 Research Paper Presentations, discussion

Due: Presentations

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9 Research Paper Presentations, discussion

Due: Presentations

Due: Papers

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COMM 614

Writing a reflection paperThe 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 classdiscussions by either serving as the basis for your contributions, or prompting you to continue

thinking and formulating a further response.

In about two pages:

1. Summarize the reading. Tell me about what you read. Make sure you tell me how youfeltabout what you read. (I can go back to the original reading to review the content.)

2. Describe the theory that resonated particularly with you and how it applies to something

you have seen or experienced.3. If appropriate, describe something in the reading that you struggled with, and explore

possible meanings for or applications of the concept on an additional page.

Evaluation:

+ Excellent: Demonstrates insight into some of the materialFeatures one concept

Explores concept deeply rather than covering everything you read.

Good: Connects ideas from other courses, work, current events etc.Provides acceptable application of the material

- IncompleteNeeds focus

Needs application

Needs organization

Needs vocabulary/spelling/grammar review

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Name: _____________________________

COMM 614

Contact information

and Honor Code Pledge

Address: ________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

Phone number: _________________________________________________

E-mail: _________________________________________________________

Honor Code:

As a member of the Queens Community, I will endeavor to create a spiritof integrity and honor for its own sake at Queens University of Charlotte.

I pledge truthfulness and absolute honesty in the performance of all

academic work.

I pledge to be truthful at all times, to treat others with respect, to respect

the property of others and to adhere to University policies.

Accepting both the privileges and responsibilities of living by this code

of honor, I resolve to uphold this code and not to tolerate any violationsof its spirit or principles.

Signed: ___________________________________________Date: ___________

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