COM 219	Summer 2009		Ethical Responsibility in Human Communication
Dr. Katy Wiss			Office:  Berkshire 119b
Mailbox:  Berkshire 120b (8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)			E-mail:  wissk [at] wcsu.edu
Office Hours:  speak to me after class			Phone/Voice Mail:  203-837-8260
Web: http:
ERes:

 

Required Texts

Bok,  Sissela.  (1999).  Lying: Moral Choice in Public & Private Life.  New York:  Vintage.

Daniel Goleman. (1996).  Vital Lies, Simple Truths.  New York:  Touchstone.

 Forni, P.M.  (2003).  Choosing Civility.  New York:  St Martin's.

• It is your responsibility to acquire the books and read them.  We will not have time in class to discuss all reading assignments.  Please ask during class if you have questions about the readings.  If the bookstore is out of stock of the textbook, it is your responsibility to place an order with a bookstore employee.

• Other readings as necessary--on reserve in the library or available on ERes.

 

Requirements

20%	Ethics Journal:  daily observations of class-related issues.  Typed in Folder.
20%	Reading Responses:  answer specific questions about each reading.  Typed.
20%	Reflection Papers:  combine reflections on readings, class activities and homework, 3 pages.  Typed
10%	Paper on Development of an Ethical Code of Communication  3-5 pages.  Typed.
10%	Presentation of Ethical Code to the Class.  5 minutes
20%	In-class Communication

 

Focus:  Explore and assess issues of responsibility and ethical standards in the field of communication, in both mediated and face-to-face contexts.  Goals of this course include recognition of ethical issues; stimulation of the moral imagination; development of critical/analytical skills, a sense of moral obligation, the ability to consider and speak competently on ethical issues in the field, and to tolerate disagreement.

 

Disability Accommodations:  It is University policy to provide reasonable accommodations to students who have documented disabilities.  You are under no obligation to reveal a disability to me.  However, the only way to receive an accommodation is by consulting with Disability Services (203-837-8278; TTY 203-837-8284).  Please come see me during my offices to discuss any accommodations.  You must make arrangements for accommodations well in advance of assignments.

 

Academic Misconduct.  I have and will fail students for plagiarism.  Penalties range from failure of the assignment, to failure of the class.  I also report academic misconduct to the Dean of Student Affairs for appropriate action.  Punishment at that level may include expulsion from the University.  The Guidelines for Student Rights and Responsibilities and Judicial Procedures (BR#2000-17) defines "academic misconduct" as "including all forms of cheating and plagiarism.  Academic misconduct includes but is not limited to providing or receiving assistance in a manner not authorized by the instructor in the creation of work to be submitted for academic evaluation including papers, projects and examinations; and presenting, as one's own, the ideas or words of another person or persons for academic evaluation without proper acknowledgment." You may no longer claim ignorance of the rules on plagiarism.  It is your duty as a student, scholar, and member of this community to be responsible for your own work.]

 

Please read the handout on Course Polices.

Course Topics & Reading Assignments