Media ethics & governance

Instructors: Rutger de Graaf

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

4.8

(566 reviews)

Intermediate level

Some related experience required

Flexible schedule

Approx. 8 hours

Learn at your own pace

96%

Most learners liked this course

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

4.8

(566 reviews)

Intermediate level

Some related experience required

Flexible schedule

Approx. 8 hours

Learn at your own pace

96%

Most learners liked this course

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

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Assessments

8 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 4 modules in this course

Media Ethics and Governance

About this course: This course explores some of the basic theories, models and concepts in the field of media ethics. We will introduce influential ethical theories and perspectives, explore changing societal demands and expectations of media creation and media use, and we will elaborate on existing ethical norms for media professionals. After following this course, you will be able to reflect on ethical dilemmas and develop a well-substantiated argumentation for ethical decision making in a variety of media-related contexts. Upon completion of this course, students should: • have knowledge of the history and development of perspectives on media ethics; • have knowledge of the dominant theoretical approaches and concepts; • be able to use this knowledge to develop a well-substantiated argumentation

In this section, we discuss several ethical theories and perspectives, such as Consequentialism and Utilitarianism. These theories serve as building blocks for the rest of the course: when you understand the most important aspects of each perspective, you are able to use the various perspectives to consider ethical dilemmas from different angles.

What's included

8 videos2 readings3 assignments2 discussion prompts

8 videosTotal 34 minutes

Welcome to this course3 minutesPreview module
Ethics vs Morals3 minutes
Consequentialism & Utilitarianism3 minutes
Consequentialism & Utilitarianism part 24 minutes
Virtue Ethics4 minutes
Deontology5 minutes
Deontology and Communication Practice4 minutes
Alternative Paradigms: Care Ethics and Feminine Ethics5 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Your lecturers10 minutes
Some info on this course10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 62 minutes

Homework module 130 minutes
Reflection on difference principle and utilitarianism2 minutes
Reflection on care / feminist ethics30 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

Introduce yourself10 minutes
Are you a deontologist?10 minutes

In this part of the course we will discuss the developments of ideas on media governance. Media Governance refers to the entire system of rules and regulation and informal societal, ideological and economical processes that influence the behavior of our media. We will start with some basic models and then give an overview of the (historical) roots of modern governance models.

What's included

7 videos3 assignments1 discussion prompt

7 videosTotal 25 minutes

Introduction to Media Governance3 minutesPreview module
A Basic Model of Media Governance3 minutes
Media as Lapdogs of Kings, Councils and Corporations: Early-Modern Models of Governance3 minutes
A Fourth Estate3 minutes
The All-Powerful Media Paradigm. Examples and Their Fallout3 minutes
Commission on the Freedom of the Press3 minutes
Media Governance after World War II3 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes

Homework module 230 minutes
Reflection on early modern media30 minutes
Self-governance30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Media governance today10 minutes

In this section, we put our knowledge from the previous two modules to practice. With the use of an ethical decision making scheme, you can apply your knowledge of ethical theories to come to a well-substantiated argumentation for ethical decision making. In addition, you will learn about common ethical issues for professionals in a variety of media-related fields (e.g., media entertainment, advertising, journalism, big-data, and research).

What's included

8 videos1 reading2 assignments1 peer review4 discussion prompts

8 videosTotal 40 minutes

Ethics and Communication Professionals4 minutesPreview module
Entertainment Communication5 minutes
Political Communication and Journalism5 minutes
Corporate Communication3 minutes
Persuasive Communication5 minutes
Research6 minutes
Digital Challenges 13 minutes
Digital challenges 25 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

The peer review assignment in context10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Homework module 330 minutes
Final multiple choice exam30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Analyse a recent ethical dilemma 60 minutes

4 discussion promptsTotal 40 minutes

Marketing: ethical?10 minutes
What is your opinion on polls?10 minutes
What do you think about informed consent?10 minutes
Reflections on the peer review assignment10 minutes

What's included

1 video2 readings1 discussion prompt

Instructors

Instructor ratings

4.7 (162 ratings)

Rutger de Graaf

University of Amsterdam

3 Courses166,618 learners

Offered by

University of Amsterdam

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Learner reviews

4.8

566 reviews

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Showing 3 of 566

Reviewed on Nov 22, 2020

The course is extremely well structured and delivered. The instructors are top notch and content is developed well. It would be great if the last quiz could be a little shorter.

Reviewed on May 3, 2020

Very interesting course. Enjoyed the different viewpoint on ethics and learned a great deal. Would be great to have feedback on the final assignment from maybe 1 of the course presenters?

Reviewed on Sep 4, 2020

This course provides excellent information about media ethics in various contexts. It is a good study if you are a professional or a student in the field of communication!

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