Module 7: Ethics, Free Expression, and Independence

Our final module (ending 12/3) runs a little longer as our semester wraps up, but it also has more reading.  Additionally, plan to set aside time for the second fact-check (due 12/1), gathering information and materials for your multi-media story, as well as drafting it and providing us with a couple of updates on the story (11/25 & 12/3), and we’ll have some good conversations with our guests, virtually and/or, if your schedule allows it, in real-time.

Even if you are a virtual student, take a look at the blended class schedule. If you can get your relevant work done prior to a topic or assignment coming up in the Zoom schedule, you can get a lot more solid feedback and information.

Also, to clarify the point of the multi-media updates, we’ll have Nick and Russell join our Zoom meeting before Thanksgiving Break, on November 19, and right before Finals Week, on December 3. As we’ve mentioned in Zoom, the assignment is intended to be intensive with you working on it from the pitch through to December 3. Whereas your beat stories were updated after submission, this project has a clear timeline for updates and communication so we can help you with it as we get closer to the deadline. Email me (gmloggins@fhsu.edu) if you have any questions about the timeline or what’s expected! And, take a look at the class recording at the start and end of the last module to hear our tips.

Also, because of the end of semester schedule, the work in this module is DUE on our last day of the scheduled class, Thursday, December 3. 

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize codes of ethics in journalism;
  • Explore skills in ethical decision-making, using a philosophically grounded framework.
  • Discuss the critical importance of free expression in democracies;
  • Identify several key First Amendment principles and the cases that gave rise to them.
  • Discuss the central importance of “independence” in journalism;
  • Explore and critique the concept of “objectivity”

Learning Activities:

  1. [Textbook Reading] Ch 6 – Ethics 
  2. [Textbook Reading] Ch 7 – Free Expression
  3. [Textbook Reading] Ch 8 – Independence
  4. Optional: Watch/participate in guest Q&A

Assignments (Due by 5 pm CT on Thursday 12/3):

  1. [Blog Post 11]: Select one of the activities from the options below for a 300-word post and comment on the other activities with at least a few sentences to add to what’s already been said.
  2. [Bb Quiz 7]: Chapters 6-8 Quiz
  3. [Guest 5 Questions]: (Deadline extended to Thursday, 11/12) Post two questions for John Quinones related to Chapter Seven, Free Expression
  4. [Guest Questions 6]: Provide one question for Susanne Reber
  5. [Peer Review 2]: Complete second Fact-Check on your peers’ 2nd Knowledge Paper drafts by 12/1
  6. [Multimedia Update-1] Provide outline or other developed materials for multimedia story from 11/19 – 11/25
  7. [Multimedia Update-2] Provide draft for multimedia story from 11/30 – 12/3
  8. [Extra-Credit Survey] Final learning community survey, worth one-half point of extra credit.
  9. [Extra-Credit Survey] FHSU’s course evaluation survey, worth one point of extra credit.
    • Expect both surveys to be available a week before Thanksgiving and close on December 3.

In Blended Class (9 am Central):

  • Tu 11/10 Discuss Chapters & the new module
  • Th 11/12 Chapter 7 guest: John Quinones, questions due in the blog before class
  • Tu 11/17  Chapter 8 guest: Susanne Reber
    • Reply to her blog post with one question, preferably before she meets us in Zoom on the 17th. 
  • Th 11/19  Get TMN Feedback on draft;
    • Post what you have before the 19th and update it if there are changes as we get closer to the 25th. 

ENJOY YOUR THANKSGIVING!!

  • Tu 12/1 Quick Check – In. How are you doing? Any assignment questions or concerns?
  • Th 12/3 Present your final draft to Nick & Russell so you can do a few final tweaks.

 

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