| Module Title |
Ethics & Regulation |
| Module Code |
PHE1004 (ITS: CM1540) |
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Faculty |
Humanities & Social Sciences |
School |
Communications |
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NFQ level |
8 |
Credit Rating |
5 |
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Description
This module engages the question: What ought journalists to do? It has readings in classical ethical theory -- Plato and Aristotle -- Enlightenment thinkers such as Kant and J.S. Mill, and contemporary writers such as Jonathan Haight and Peter Singer. It has a component of democratic political theory and a substantial engagement with journalism as it is practiced today in all media form.
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Learning Outcomes
1. 1. Answer the questions, 'What ought I to do?' and 'On whose authority?' (Outline a course of action informed by ethical theories.)
2. 2. Apply classical ethical theory to contemporary professional communication practice. (Demonstrate knowledge of relevant ethical theories; Analyse ethical issues by applying ethical theories.)
3. 3. Resolve contradictory moral obligations in the field of journalism and other mass communication professions. (Understand the ethical and legal requirements involved when gathering, storing, analysing and reporting data and the societal impact of data analytics.)
4. 4. Participate meaningfully and compellingly in group discussion of ethical quandries and connundrums
5. 5. Write thoughtfully and reasonably on matters of resolving moral dilemmas in the field of journalism and other areas of professional communication
6. Place journalistic moral obligation in the context of Western liberal democracies and consider alternative contexts
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| Workload | Full time hours per semester | | Type | Hours | Description |
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| Lecture | 22 | Mandatory attendance | | Assignment Completion | 50 | weekly short essays, subsantial final essay | | Independent Study | 53 | Readings in classical texts, contemporary practice |
| Total Workload: 125 |
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| Section Breakdown | | CRN | 20867 | Part of Term | Semester 2 | | Coursework | 100% | Examination Weight | 0% | | Grade Scale | 40PASS | Pass Both Elements | N | | Resit Category | RC1 | Best Mark | N | | Module Co-ordinator | Roderick Flynn | Module Teacher | |
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| Assessment Breakdown |
| Type | Description | % of total | Assessment Date |
|---|
| Essay | Substantial inquiry, approximately 2,000-3,000 words, into the ethical dimensions of contemporary practice, drawing upon the texts to bolster deontological or consequentialist argument for the moral rightness (or wrongness) of behavior, and putting the results into a broad ethical context. | 50% | Once per semester | | Assignment | Short essays, approximately 500-800 words, submitted periodically, expressing increasingly sophisticated understanding of concepts of classical and modern moral reasoning and understanding, and application to contemporary professional journalistic praceiced | 50% | Every Second Week |
| Reassessment Requirement Type |
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
RC1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module.
RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment
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Pre-requisite |
None
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Co-requisite |
None |
| Compatibles |
None |
| Incompatibles |
None |
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All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Introduction to moral reasoning
The role of the self
The role of the divine
The Telos from Aristotle to Mill
Moral obligation from Plato to Kant
David Hume and the passions
Democratic political theory
The role of a free press in democratic political theory
Impediments and filters: Culture
Impediments and filters: Technology. Journalism ethics in an instantaneous, global world
Impediments and filters: Economics
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Indicative Reading List
Books:
- Steven R. Knowlton: 1997, Moral reasoning for journalists, First, All, Praeger, Westport, Conn., 221, 0-275-94871-4
- 0-07-247690-7: 2006, Elements of Moral Philosophy, 6th, all, McGraw-Hill, New York,
- William Frankena: 1973, Ethics, 2d, Prentice-Hall, New Jersey,
- Jack Fuller: 1996, News values, First, All, University of Chicago Press, Chicago, Ill., 250, 0-226-26879.9
- Peter Singer, ed: 2005, Ethics Oxford Reader, OUP,
- A.C. Grayling,: 0, What Is Good?, 1st, all, Phoenix, London, 271, 0-75381-755-1
- Jonathan Haidt: 2012, The Righteous Mind,
Articles:
- 0: Irish Times, Irish Independent, The Guardian,
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Other Resources
- 1: A wide variety of news and other related sites,
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