Course Detail
Course Description
| Course | Code | Semester | T+P (Hour) | Credit | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ETHICS in COMMUNICATION STUDIES | MİSY1215658 | Spring Semester | 3+0 | 3 | 8 |
| Course Program | Çarşamba 20:30-21:15 Çarşamba 21:30-22:15 Çarşamba 22:30-23:15 |
| Prerequisites Courses | |
| Recommended Elective Courses |
| Language of Course | Turkish |
| Course Level | Second Cycle (Master's Degree) |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Course Coordinator | Assist.Prof. Doğa ÇÖL |
| Name of Lecturer(s) | Assist.Prof. Doğa ÇÖL |
| Assistant(s) | |
| Aim | This course examines the ethical dimensions inherent in all forms of communication—from interpersonal exchanges and group dynamics to mass media, corporate communication, political discourse, and digital environments. In the first half, students will explore the foundational theories in moral philosophy and ethical decision making. In the second half, the course will cover specialized cases—including journalism ethics, digital ethics, political communication, advertising, and crisis communication—using real-world case studies to illustrate ethical dilemmas and best practices. Through lectures, group discussions, case analyses, and simulations, students will develop a robust ethical literacy and learn strategies for responsible communication. |
| Course Content | This course contains; Introduction to Ethics in Communication Studies,Overview of Fundamental Ethical Theories,Ethical Decision Making & Moral Reasoning in Communication,Professional Codes of Ethics & Institutional Guidelines,Truth, Transparency, and Integrity in Communication,Ethics of Persuasion, Rhetoric, and Propaganda,Ethical Challenges in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication,Midterm Exam,Intercultural and Global Communication Ethics,Journalism Ethics and Media Accountability,Digital Ethics and Social Media Communication,Ethics in Political Communication,Ethics in Advertising, Public Relations, and Corporate Communication,Crisis Communication Ethics and Emerging Issues,Synthesis, Integrated Ethical Strategies, and Future Directions,Final Exam. |
| Course Learning Outcomes | Teaching Methods | Assessment Methods |
| Analyzes ethical theories including deontology, utilitarianism, virtue ethics, and critical perspectives. | 12, 13, 14, 9 | |
| Defines ethical concepts and explain its relevance to communication studies. | 10, 12, 13, 9 | |
| Develops frameworks for ethical decision making in various communication settings. | 10, 13, 9 | |
| Evaluates real-life ethical cases in journalism, corporate settings, digital media, and political communication. | 10, 13, 9 | |
| Integrates knowledge of traditional ethical thought with emerging challenges in communication practice. | 10, 12, 2, 9 | E, F, L |
| Teaching Methods: | 10: Discussion Method, 12: Problem Solving Method, 13: Case Study Method, 14: Self Study Method, 2: Project Based Learning Model, 9: Lecture Method |
| Assessment Methods: | E: Homework, F: Project Task, L: Group Assessment Technique |
Course Outline
| Order | Subjects | Preliminary Work |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Ethics in Communication Studies | The Fundamentals of Ethics (Shafer Landau, 2020) – Chapter 1: “What Is Ethics?” |
| 2 | Overview of Fundamental Ethical Theories | The Fundamentals of Ethics (Shafer Landau, 2020) – Chapter 2: “Moral Theories: Deontology, Utilitarianism, and Virtue Ethics” |
| 3 | Ethical Decision Making & Moral Reasoning in Communication | The Fundamentals of Ethics (Shafer Landau, 2020) – Chapter 3: “Ethical Decision Making and Moral Reasoning” |
| 4 | Professional Codes of Ethics & Institutional Guidelines | Ethical Theory: An Anthology (Shafer Landau, 2012) – Part IX (Deontology), Chapter 56: “Kant’s Formula of Universal Law” |
| 5 | Truth, Transparency, and Integrity in Communication | Ethical Theory: An Anthology (Shafer Landau, 2012) – Part IX (Deontology), Chapter 55: “Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals” |
| 6 | Ethics of Persuasion, Rhetoric, and Propaganda | Ethical Theory: An Anthology (Shafer Landau, 2012) – Part IX (Deontology), Chapter 59: “The Golden Rule Rationalized” |
| 7 | Ethical Challenges in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication | Ethical Theory: An Anthology (Shafer Landau, 2012) – Part XIII (Prima Facie Duties and Particularism), Chapter 78: “What Makes Right Acts Right?” |
| 8 | Midterm Exam | |
| 9 | Intercultural and Global Communication Ethics | Ethical Theory: An Anthology (Shafer Landau, 2012) – Part I (The Status of Morality), Chapter 6: “Cultural Relativism” (by Harry Gensler) |
| 10 | Journalism Ethics and Media Accountability | Ethical Theory: An Anthology (Shafer Landau, 2012) – Part VIII (Consequentialism), Chapter 49: “Extreme and Restricted Utilitarianism” (by J. J. C. Smart) |
| 11 | Digital Ethics and Social Media Communication | The Fundamentals of Ethics (Shafer Landau, 2020) – Chapter 10: “Rule Consequentialism” |
| 12 | Ethics in Political Communication | Ethical Theory: An Anthology (Shafer Landau, 2012) – Part X (Contractarianism), Chapter 64: “A Theory of Justice” (by John Rawls) |
| 13 | Ethics in Advertising, Public Relations, and Corporate Communication | Ethical Theory: An Anthology (Shafer Landau, 2012) – Part XI (Virtue Ethics), Chapter 66: “The Nature of Virtue” (attributed to Aristotle) |
| 14 | Crisis Communication Ethics and Emerging Issues | The Fundamentals of Ethics (Shafer Landau, 2020) – Chapter 22: “Moral Skepticism” |
| 15 | Synthesis, Integrated Ethical Strategies, and Future Directions | Ethical Theory: An Anthology (Shafer Landau, 2012) – Part V (Value), Chapter 34: “What Makes Someone’s Life Go Best” (by Derek Parfit) |
| 16 | Final Exam |
| Resources |
| Aristotle. (1999). Nicomachean ethics (W. D. Ross, Trans.). Dover Publications. (Original work published ca. 350 B.C.E.) Christians, C. G., Fackler, M., Harkins, B., & Winkler, R. (2014). Media ethics: Cases and moral reasoning (9th ed.). Routledge. Kant, I. (1997). Critique of practical reason (T. E. Hill, Trans.). HarperCollins. (Original work published 1788) Kant, I. (2002). Groundwork for the metaphysics of morals (T. E. Hill, Trans.). Cambridge University Press. (Original work published 1785) Mill, J. S. (2001). Utilitarianism (G. Sher, Ed.). Hackett Publishing Company. (Original work published 1861) Patterson, P., & Wilkins, L. (2018). Media ethics: Issues and cases. Oxford University Press. Plaisance, P. L. (2014). Media ethics: Key principles for responsible practice. SAGE Publications. Schafer-Lundau, R. (2005). Fundamentals of ethics. McGraw-Hill. Sandel, M. J. (2009). Justice: What’s the right thing to do? Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Williams, B. (1985). Ethics and the limits of philosophy. Harvard University Press. |
Course Contribution to Program Qualifications
| Course Contribution to Program Qualifications | |||||||
| No | Program Qualification | Contribution Level | |||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |||
| 1 | Has advanced theoretical and practical knowledge in the fields of media history, news writing techniques, news types, applied journalism. | ||||||
| 2 | Knows the process of content production according to the characteristics of different communication environments. | ||||||
| 3 | To have knowledge about theories, methods, strategies and techniques related to the field. | ||||||
| 4 | Aware of the impact of media on people and society's thoughts, behaviors and values. | ||||||
| 5 | Use theoretical and practical knowledge specific to the field. | ||||||
| 6 | Develop critical thinking, analysis and synthesis skills. | ||||||
| 7 | Follows and uses new methods and technologies in the field. | ||||||
| 8 | Develops the ability to produce an original media content with the knowledge acquired. | ||||||
| 9 | Evaluates the visual and audio data and literary texts critically. | ||||||
| 10 | Identifies problems in the field, collects and analyzes data to solve these problems; comments and suggestions for solutions. | ||||||
| 11 | Acts in accordance with democracy, human rights, social, scientific and professional ethical values in the content production process. | ||||||
| 12 | Takes responsibility in individual or group works related to the field and fulfills the task taken or executes independently. | ||||||
| 13 | Plans and manages activities for professional development as an individual and a team member. | ||||||
| 14 | Monitors at least one foreign language at the level of European Language Portfolio B2 General Level. | ||||||
| 15 | Transfers written solutions orally and verbally. | ||||||
| 16 | Evaluates his / her ideas and solutions for problems related to his / her field with his / her stakeholders by supporting them with quantitative and qualitative data. | ||||||
| 17 | Uses Turkish language fluently and accurately in scientific and professional works. | ||||||
| 18 | Knowledgeable about occupational health and safety and can use this information when necessary. | ||||||
| 19 | Sensitive to the environment, the universality of social rights and the protection of cultural values. | ||||||
Assessment Methods
| Contribution Level | Absolute Evaluation | |
| Rate of Midterm Exam to Success | 50 | |
| Rate of Final Exam to Success | 50 | |
| Total | 100 | |
| ECTS / Workload Table | ||||||
| Activities | Number of | Duration(Hour) | Total Workload(Hour) | |||
| Course Hours | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Guided Problem Solving | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Resolution of Homework Problems and Submission as a Report | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Term Project | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Presentation of Project / Seminar | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Quiz | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Midterm Exam | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| General Exam | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Performance Task, Maintenance Plan | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Total Workload(Hour) | 0 | |||||
| Dersin AKTS Kredisi = Toplam İş Yükü (Saat)/30*=(0/30) | 0 | |||||
| ECTS of the course: 30 hours of work is counted as 1 ECTS credit. | ||||||
Detail Informations of the Course
Course Description
| Course | Code | Semester | T+P (Hour) | Credit | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ETHICS in COMMUNICATION STUDIES | MİSY1215658 | Spring Semester | 3+0 | 3 | 8 |
| Course Program | Çarşamba 20:30-21:15 Çarşamba 21:30-22:15 Çarşamba 22:30-23:15 |
| Prerequisites Courses | |
| Recommended Elective Courses |
| Language of Course | Turkish |
| Course Level | Second Cycle (Master's Degree) |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Course Coordinator | Assist.Prof. Doğa ÇÖL |
| Name of Lecturer(s) | Assist.Prof. Doğa ÇÖL |
| Assistant(s) | |
| Aim | This course examines the ethical dimensions inherent in all forms of communication—from interpersonal exchanges and group dynamics to mass media, corporate communication, political discourse, and digital environments. In the first half, students will explore the foundational theories in moral philosophy and ethical decision making. In the second half, the course will cover specialized cases—including journalism ethics, digital ethics, political communication, advertising, and crisis communication—using real-world case studies to illustrate ethical dilemmas and best practices. Through lectures, group discussions, case analyses, and simulations, students will develop a robust ethical literacy and learn strategies for responsible communication. |
| Course Content | This course contains; Introduction to Ethics in Communication Studies,Overview of Fundamental Ethical Theories,Ethical Decision Making & Moral Reasoning in Communication,Professional Codes of Ethics & Institutional Guidelines,Truth, Transparency, and Integrity in Communication,Ethics of Persuasion, Rhetoric, and Propaganda,Ethical Challenges in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication,Midterm Exam,Intercultural and Global Communication Ethics,Journalism Ethics and Media Accountability,Digital Ethics and Social Media Communication,Ethics in Political Communication,Ethics in Advertising, Public Relations, and Corporate Communication,Crisis Communication Ethics and Emerging Issues,Synthesis, Integrated Ethical Strategies, and Future Directions,Final Exam. |
| Course Learning Outcomes | Teaching Methods | Assessment Methods |
| Analyzes ethical theories including deontology, utilitarianism, virtue ethics, and critical perspectives. | 12, 13, 14, 9 | |
| Defines ethical concepts and explain its relevance to communication studies. | 10, 12, 13, 9 | |
| Develops frameworks for ethical decision making in various communication settings. | 10, 13, 9 | |
| Evaluates real-life ethical cases in journalism, corporate settings, digital media, and political communication. | 10, 13, 9 | |
| Integrates knowledge of traditional ethical thought with emerging challenges in communication practice. | 10, 12, 2, 9 | E, F, L |
| Teaching Methods: | 10: Discussion Method, 12: Problem Solving Method, 13: Case Study Method, 14: Self Study Method, 2: Project Based Learning Model, 9: Lecture Method |
| Assessment Methods: | E: Homework, F: Project Task, L: Group Assessment Technique |
Course Outline
| Order | Subjects | Preliminary Work |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Ethics in Communication Studies | The Fundamentals of Ethics (Shafer Landau, 2020) – Chapter 1: “What Is Ethics?” |
| 2 | Overview of Fundamental Ethical Theories | The Fundamentals of Ethics (Shafer Landau, 2020) – Chapter 2: “Moral Theories: Deontology, Utilitarianism, and Virtue Ethics” |
| 3 | Ethical Decision Making & Moral Reasoning in Communication | The Fundamentals of Ethics (Shafer Landau, 2020) – Chapter 3: “Ethical Decision Making and Moral Reasoning” |
| 4 | Professional Codes of Ethics & Institutional Guidelines | Ethical Theory: An Anthology (Shafer Landau, 2012) – Part IX (Deontology), Chapter 56: “Kant’s Formula of Universal Law” |
| 5 | Truth, Transparency, and Integrity in Communication | Ethical Theory: An Anthology (Shafer Landau, 2012) – Part IX (Deontology), Chapter 55: “Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals” |
| 6 | Ethics of Persuasion, Rhetoric, and Propaganda | Ethical Theory: An Anthology (Shafer Landau, 2012) – Part IX (Deontology), Chapter 59: “The Golden Rule Rationalized” |
| 7 | Ethical Challenges in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication | Ethical Theory: An Anthology (Shafer Landau, 2012) – Part XIII (Prima Facie Duties and Particularism), Chapter 78: “What Makes Right Acts Right?” |
| 8 | Midterm Exam | |
| 9 | Intercultural and Global Communication Ethics | Ethical Theory: An Anthology (Shafer Landau, 2012) – Part I (The Status of Morality), Chapter 6: “Cultural Relativism” (by Harry Gensler) |
| 10 | Journalism Ethics and Media Accountability | Ethical Theory: An Anthology (Shafer Landau, 2012) – Part VIII (Consequentialism), Chapter 49: “Extreme and Restricted Utilitarianism” (by J. J. C. Smart) |
| 11 | Digital Ethics and Social Media Communication | The Fundamentals of Ethics (Shafer Landau, 2020) – Chapter 10: “Rule Consequentialism” |
| 12 | Ethics in Political Communication | Ethical Theory: An Anthology (Shafer Landau, 2012) – Part X (Contractarianism), Chapter 64: “A Theory of Justice” (by John Rawls) |
| 13 | Ethics in Advertising, Public Relations, and Corporate Communication | Ethical Theory: An Anthology (Shafer Landau, 2012) – Part XI (Virtue Ethics), Chapter 66: “The Nature of Virtue” (attributed to Aristotle) |
| 14 | Crisis Communication Ethics and Emerging Issues | The Fundamentals of Ethics (Shafer Landau, 2020) – Chapter 22: “Moral Skepticism” |
| 15 | Synthesis, Integrated Ethical Strategies, and Future Directions | Ethical Theory: An Anthology (Shafer Landau, 2012) – Part V (Value), Chapter 34: “What Makes Someone’s Life Go Best” (by Derek Parfit) |
| 16 | Final Exam |
| Resources |
| Aristotle. (1999). Nicomachean ethics (W. D. Ross, Trans.). Dover Publications. (Original work published ca. 350 B.C.E.) Christians, C. G., Fackler, M., Harkins, B., & Winkler, R. (2014). Media ethics: Cases and moral reasoning (9th ed.). Routledge. Kant, I. (1997). Critique of practical reason (T. E. Hill, Trans.). HarperCollins. (Original work published 1788) Kant, I. (2002). Groundwork for the metaphysics of morals (T. E. Hill, Trans.). Cambridge University Press. (Original work published 1785) Mill, J. S. (2001). Utilitarianism (G. Sher, Ed.). Hackett Publishing Company. (Original work published 1861) Patterson, P., & Wilkins, L. (2018). Media ethics: Issues and cases. Oxford University Press. Plaisance, P. L. (2014). Media ethics: Key principles for responsible practice. SAGE Publications. Schafer-Lundau, R. (2005). Fundamentals of ethics. McGraw-Hill. Sandel, M. J. (2009). Justice: What’s the right thing to do? Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Williams, B. (1985). Ethics and the limits of philosophy. Harvard University Press. |
Course Contribution to Program Qualifications
| Course Contribution to Program Qualifications | |||||||
| No | Program Qualification | Contribution Level | |||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |||
| 1 | Has advanced theoretical and practical knowledge in the fields of media history, news writing techniques, news types, applied journalism. | ||||||
| 2 | Knows the process of content production according to the characteristics of different communication environments. | ||||||
| 3 | To have knowledge about theories, methods, strategies and techniques related to the field. | ||||||
| 4 | Aware of the impact of media on people and society's thoughts, behaviors and values. | ||||||
| 5 | Use theoretical and practical knowledge specific to the field. | ||||||
| 6 | Develop critical thinking, analysis and synthesis skills. | ||||||
| 7 | Follows and uses new methods and technologies in the field. | ||||||
| 8 | Develops the ability to produce an original media content with the knowledge acquired. | ||||||
| 9 | Evaluates the visual and audio data and literary texts critically. | ||||||
| 10 | Identifies problems in the field, collects and analyzes data to solve these problems; comments and suggestions for solutions. | ||||||
| 11 | Acts in accordance with democracy, human rights, social, scientific and professional ethical values in the content production process. | ||||||
| 12 | Takes responsibility in individual or group works related to the field and fulfills the task taken or executes independently. | ||||||
| 13 | Plans and manages activities for professional development as an individual and a team member. | ||||||
| 14 | Monitors at least one foreign language at the level of European Language Portfolio B2 General Level. | ||||||
| 15 | Transfers written solutions orally and verbally. | ||||||
| 16 | Evaluates his / her ideas and solutions for problems related to his / her field with his / her stakeholders by supporting them with quantitative and qualitative data. | ||||||
| 17 | Uses Turkish language fluently and accurately in scientific and professional works. | ||||||
| 18 | Knowledgeable about occupational health and safety and can use this information when necessary. | ||||||
| 19 | Sensitive to the environment, the universality of social rights and the protection of cultural values. | ||||||
Assessment Methods
| Contribution Level | Absolute Evaluation | |
| Rate of Midterm Exam to Success | 50 | |
| Rate of Final Exam to Success | 50 | |
| Total | 100 | |