The Ethics of Persuasion

Communication Studies 415

Spring 2000

Print this document

 

Kevin McClure
101 Independence Hall
874-4726
Office Hours: 9:00-10:00 MW and by appointment


kmc8433u@postoffice.uri.edu

Course Objectives: The overall objective of Communication Studies 415 is to introduce the student to the major theories, concepts and themes associated with the study of ethics from a communicative perspective. The course seeks to address the problems, paradoxes and features of ethics in social life when viewed from a communicative perspective. The communicative aspect of storytelling will serve as our point of entry into the study of the ethics persuasion. The primary assumption of the course is that we learn most our ethics and rules of moral conduct from communicative narratives--stories. Case studies of ethical principles as manifested in stories will be evaluated to compare and apply potential ethical perspectives from a communication standpoint, which is to apply specific narrative frames of ethics to particular situations. We will also consider the importance of the ethics of persuasion in a story telling society that is becoming more racially and culturally diverse.

    1. An understanding of the basic foundations of the principles of ethics as manifested in social and cultural narratives as persuasive enterprises.
    2. An understanding of the major themes and theorists in ethics and persuasion.
    3. An understanding of potential application of ethical perspectives to contemporary social and cultural issues.

 

General and Specific Objectives: In order to assure that students have achieved a satisfactory level of expertise regarding the general and specific objectives of Communication Studies 415 the following methods of assessment shall be employed:

 
    1. Short Paper: Students will analyze a cultural artifact to reveal implicit ethical principles (5-7 pages).
    2. Three quizzes: concentrating on the theories, theorists and issues in the text.
    3. One comprehensive final exam on the concepts and perspectives covered in class lectures, presentations, and your readings.
    4. Weekly Response Postings to our Web Cite that reflect analysis of the narrative in our text or critical responses to lectures.

Textbook:

 Rosenstand, Nina (1997). The Moral of the Story: An Introduction to the Study of

Ethics. 2nd ed. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield.

 

Attendance Policy & Late Assignments:

It is the policy of this course that three or more absences will adversely affect a student's final grade. Five or more absences will result in the loss of a letter grade, whereas excessive absences will result in automatic failure of the course. Assignments turned in late will be deducted a later grade.  WebCt postings that are up to one week late will receive half credit.  Postings that are more than one week late will receive no credit.

 

Academic Integrity:

 Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity free from fraud and deception and is an educational object of this institution. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, fabrication of information or citations, facilitating acts of dishonesty by others, unauthorized prior possession of examinations, submitting the work of another person or work previously used without informing the instructor, or tampering with the academic work of other students. Acts of academic dishonesty may result in academic dismissal.

Distribution of Graded Assignments:

Quizzes (3 @ 10% each) 

30%
Comprehensive Final Exam 10%
Short Paper 10%
Weekly Response Postings (10 @ 4 pts each) 40%
Attendance & Participation 10%

Print this document