Registry

Module Specifications

Archived Version 2020 - 2021

Module Title
Module Code
School
Online Module Resources
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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.

Learning Outcomes

1. 1. Answer the questions, 'What ought I to do?' and 'On whose authority?'
2. 2. Apply classical ethical theory to contemporary professional communication practice
3. 3. Resolve contradictory moral obligations in the field of journalism and other mass communication professions
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

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
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

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

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

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	%	Examination Weight	%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
Unavailable

Indicative Reading List

Steven R. Knowlton: 1997, Moral reasoning for journalists, First, All, Praeger, Westport, Conn., 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., 0-226-26879.9
Peter Singer, ed: 2005, Ethics Oxford Reader, OUP,
A.C. Grayling,: 0, What Is Good?, 1st, all, Phoenix, London, 0-75381-755-1
Jonathan Haidt: 2012, The Righteous Mind,

Other Resources

11620, 0, A wide variety of news and other related sites,

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