20801254Media and Democracy
Course Information
Description
Recognize and examine ethical principles and professional standards influencing reporting practices. Critique journalistic failures, identify new professional challenges, and apply this knowledge during processes of reporting, publication, and audience engagement. Learn how to distinguish between legitimate and fake news and the process to cultivate media literacy.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Examine professional ethical principles, their historical development, and their application in the digital media environment
    Assessment Strategies
    Group presentation, Exam, Written product, Podcast and/or video log
    Criteria
    Explain the ethical principles that guide professional journalists according to the Society for Professional Journalists
    Describe commonly used ethical approaches to news decisions historically
    Describe commonly used ethical approaches to news decisions in today’s digital culture
    Detail outside influences, such as business or social media, in ethical decisions related to news coverage
    Examine how ethical approaches reflect and/or coincide with Society for Professional Journalists principles

  2. Assess the role of professionals in shaping ethical decisions about news
    Assessment Strategies
    Group presentation, Exam, Written product, Podcast and/or video log
    Criteria
    Identify past failures and successes with regards to ethical challenges during the news process
    Detail ethical considerations in decision-making processes among news professionals
    Critique practices and decisions in light of the SPJ ethical principles
    Compare past practices and decisions to evolving challenges in current media environment

  3. Analyze the technological, social, cultural and economic effects on the media and how those impact moral decision-making
    Assessment Strategies
    Group presentation, Exam, Written product, Podcast and/or video log
    Criteria
    Describe how morality influences news professionals’ decision-making related to news coverage
    Analyze relationships between ethical approaches among news professionals and technological influences
    Examine relationships between ethical approaches among news professionals and social influences
    Investigate relationships between ethical approaches among news professionals and cultural influences
    Evaluate relationships between ethical approaches among news professionals and economic influences
    Examine the interconnectedness of these influences
    Critique moral decisions by news professionals based on these influences

  4. Analyze the complex moral decision making process
    Assessment Strategies
    Group presentation, Exam, Written product, Radio/audio podcast
    Criteria
    Determine how affected parties are considered
    Differentiate between functional and moral obligations
    Examine the process to order priorities
    Defend the moral obligations of news professionals
    Detail the practical obligations of news professionals
    Identify people influenced by news professionals’ decisions

  5. Relate the First Amendment and the rights protected by the First Amendment to different media contexts
    Assessment Strategies
    Group presentation, Exam, Written product, Podcast and/or video log
    Criteria
    Identify key principles of the First Amendment
    Identify key court cases related to news media, both historically and in our current digital culture
    Document the evolution of the courts with regards to the First Amendment and the press

  6. Compare and contrast the traditional, or legacy, news environment and digital news environment with regards to First Amendment cases and freedoms
    Assessment Strategies
    Group presentation, Exam, Written product, Podcast and/or video log
    Criteria
    Describe libel, privacy, obscenity, commercial speech, and intellectual property in context of court cases
    Identify key court cases in each of these areas (i.e. libel, privacy, obscenity, commercial speech, and intellectual property) in a historical context
    Identify key court cases in each of these areas in the digital media environment
    Critique how these court cases influence the day-to-day freedoms that members of the press enjoy
    Critique how these court cases influence the day-to-day freedoms that a participatory media culture enjoys

  7. Apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press in physical space and cyberspace 
    Assessment Strategies
    Group presentation, Exam, Written product, Radio/audio podcast
    Criteria
    Explain key court cases with regards to traditional media outlets and the First Amendment
    Explain key court cases with regards to online media and the First Amendment
    Examine current federal court cases
    Describe how past cases and decisions influence existing cases
    Describe the top five issues facing the press and public in an evolving media environment

  8. Justify why diversity, civility, and civic engagement are vital issues in media ethics
    Assessment Strategies
    Group presentation, Exam, Written product, Podcast and/or video log
    Criteria
    Describe concepts of diversity and civility as it applies to news professionals
    Analyze news professionals’ roles in developing a civically engaged citizens, both historically and today
    Explain what responsibilities various groups assign the press in cultivating informed citizens
    Explain evolving attitudes among groups with regards to the press’ role in nurturing a civically engaged citizenry

  9. Differentiate between legitimate and fake news
    Assessment Strategies
    Group presentation, Exam, Written product, Podcast and/or video log
    Criteria
    Identify the key components of media literacy
    Compare the differences between facts, false or manipulated information, pseudoscientific claims, conspiracy theories, and perceived media bias
    Apply media literacy skills to stories that have appeared in media
    Determine accuracy and truthfulness of information
    Determine the factors in building a news story based on facts, accuracy, and context
    Explain how to cultivate media literacy skills in other individuals