Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Course Details
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Prerequisites
Students taking this section of JMC 5813 Ethics in Strategic Communication must be enrolled in the Gaylord College Online MA Strategic Communication & Digital Strategy program. No exceptions will be made due to the online MA program's cohort size.
Course Materials
There is no required textbook for this class. Readings will come from the recommended reading list below. Readings, resources, and other materials will be posted to the Required Resources page in each week's module.
Recommended Reading
- Bivins, T. (2018). Mixed Media: Moral Distinctions in Advertising, Public Relations, and Journalism. New York, NY: Routledge.
- Plaisance, P. (2014). Media Ethics: Key Principles for Responsible Practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
- DeGeorge, R. (2010). Business Ethics. Boston, MA: Prentice Hall.
- Brunner, B. R., & Hickerson, C.A. (2019). Cases in public relations: Translating ethics into action. Oxford University Press.
- Walter Lippmann (1922) Public Opinion
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Discussions (8) |
|
30% |
| Quizzes (8) |
|
20% |
| Case Study Paper |
|
40% |
| Participation |
|
10% |
| Total | 100% |
Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90–100% | A |
| 80–89% | B |
| 70–79% | C |
| 60–69% | D |
| Below 60% | F |
Course Components
Weekly Discussions
There are 8 online discussions based on course materials. You will participate in group discussions in your assigned group. In each group discussion, you will be asked to post your answer/thoughts to a course-related question. You will also need to respond/comment on at least one of your group members’ posts. Your discussion posts will be graded based on quality of writing and analysis, reflections on the readings, and the depth of discussion. To give a high-quality discussion, you will need to complete course materials (both readings and lectures) and provide your own thoughts and analyses.
Weekly Quizzes
There are 8 open-book quizzes based on course materials and designed to assess your understanding of our readings and lectures for that module. Each quiz has 5 questions: these may include true/false statements and/or multiple-choice questions. You may only attempt the quiz once, and once you begin, you will have five minutes to submit the quiz.
Case Study Paper
To prepare for this assignment, you should select a current ethical case in strategic communication and analyze the news coverage of the case. Your topic may be about an ethical issue/best practice or unethical issue, international or domestic, and it must have occurred within the past 2 years. The case study analysis paper is no longer than 10 pages in length and should include: organization and case background, ethical principles or framework applied in the case, and analysis of the case through the chosen ethical principle or framework.
Course Policies
Communication
Questions? If you have:
- General course questions: you can post a question on the Course Help Board. Please review the syllabus and course schedule before posting a question. Most of your questions are answered there. Feel free to respond to each other if you know the answer.
- Personal or grade questions: please email the instructor or make an appointment for a meeting with the instructor.
- Questions about the course content: you can email the instructor to set up a zoom meeting for discussion and further clarifications.
Late Policy
This is an online class and you will be able to do many of the individual assignments at your own pace—especially module readings and quizzes. However, to help you to plan your time successfully in this class, I have labeled the class modules (learning segments), with dates that align with our current semester. In this way, you can pace yourself through the work as you might if this class met in person.
Major assignments—both individual and group—will have firm deadlines. If an assignment is late, you may submit it within 4 days for a maximum of 90% credit. After 4 days, you will automatically receive a zero.
Statement of Diversity
Whether your career takes you across the globe or keeps you close to your home base, your ability to listen to, and communicate with, people from diverse backgrounds will be an asset. In the professional fields that Gaylord College represents—journalism, broadcast, professional writing, advertising and public relations—I believe it is especially important that we become competent at and comfortable with listening and talking to anyone, anywhere, as the need arises.
For this reason, as a nationally accredited program, The Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication encourages all classes to provide content that “fosters an understanding of issues and perspectives that is inclusive in terms of gender, race, ethnicity and sexual orientation.” JMC 5823 will expose you to many thoughtful discussions and lots of practical applications of diversity communication skills.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Land Acknowledgement
Long before the University of Oklahoma was established, the land on which the University now resides was the traditional home of the “Hasinais” Caddo Nation and “Kirikirʔi:s” Wichita & Affiliated Tribes.
We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Osage nations. Today, 39 tribal nations dwell in the state of Oklahoma as a result of settler and colonial policies that were designed to assimilate Native people.
The University of Oklahoma recognizes the historical connection our university has with its indigenous community. We acknowledge, honor and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We fully recognize, support and advocate for the sovereign rights of all of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations. This acknowledgment is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our entire OU Community.
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalog.
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Student Support Services
OU offers a variety of services to support students. For more information, please refer to the Student Support Module in your Orientation course.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Copyright Statement and Privacy Information
Sessions of this course may be recorded or live-streamed. These recordings are the intellectual property of the individual faculty member and may not be shared or reproduced without the explicit, written consent of the faculty member. In addition, privacy rights of others such as students, guest lecturers, and providers of copyrighted material displayed in the recording may be of concern. Students may not share any course recordings with individuals not enrolled in the class or upload them to any other online environment.
Academic Integrity
As a member of the OU community, it is your responsibility to protect your educational investment by knowing and following the rules. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.
Academic honesty is incredibly important in this course. Cheating is strictly prohibited at the University of Oklahoma because it devalues the degree you are working hard to earn. Should you know of someone else engaging in academic misconduct, please report it to your instructor or directly to the Office of Academic Integrity. Your instructor has a professional obligation to report academic misconduct.
In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook.
Religious Observance
It is the policy of the University to excuse the absences of students that result from religious observances and to reschedule examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays, without penalty. [See Faculty Handbook 3.15.2].
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is committed to supporting students with disabilities to ensure that they are able to enjoy equal access to all components of their education. This includes your academics, housing, and community events. Please review OU's Accessibility Policy.
If you are experiencing a disability, a mental/medical health condition that has a significant impact on one or more life functions, you can receive accommodations to provide equal access. Possible disabilities include but are not limited to learning disabilities, AD(H)D, mental health, and chronic health. Additionally, we support students with temporary medical conditions (broken wrist, shoulder surgery, etc.) and pregnancy.
To discuss potential accommodations, please contact the ADRC at 730 College Avenue, (phone) 405-325-3852, or adrc@ou.edu.
Title IX Resources
Anyone who has been impacted by gender-based violence, including dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, harassment, and sexual assault, deserves access to resources so that they are supported personally and academically.
The University of Oklahoma is committed to offering resources to those impacted, including: speaking with someone confidentially about your options, medical attention, counseling, reporting, academic support, and safety plans. If you would like to speak with someone confidentially, please contact OU Advocates (available 24/7 at 405-615-0013) or another confidential resource (see "Can I make an anonymous report?").
You may also choose to report gender-based violence and discrimination through other means, including by contacting the Institutional Equity Office (ieo@ou.edu, 405-325-3546) or the police (911).
Because the University of Oklahoma is committed to the safety of you and other students, I, as well as other faculty, Graduate Assistants, and Teaching Assistants, are mandatory reporters. This means that we are obligated to report gender-based violence that has been disclosed to us to the Institutional Equity Office. This includes disclosures that occur in class discussions, writing assignments, discussion boards, emails, and during Student/Office Hours.
For more information, please visit the Institutional Equity Office.
Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth-Related Issues
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.
Mental Health Support Services
If you are experiencing any mental health issues that are impacting your academic performance, counseling is available at the University Counseling Center (UCC). The Center is located on the second floor of the Goddard Health Center, at 620 Elm Rm. 201, Norman, OK 73019. To schedule an appointment, call 405-325-2911. For more information, please visit the University Counseling Center.
Final Exam Preparation Period
Pre-finals week will be defined as the seven calendar days before the first day of finals. Faculty may cover new course material throughout this week. For specific provisions of the policy please refer to OU's Final Exam Preparation Period policy.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|