6 ECTS credits
156 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 1020235BNR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (B) Bachelor - advanced level.

Semester
2nd semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Enrollment Requirements
Studenten die dit opleidingsonderdeel opnemen, moeten geslaagd zijn voor 'Communicatiewetenschappen I' en geslaagd zijn voor minstens 30 ECTS-credits op bachelorniveau.
Taught in
Dutch
Faculty
Faculty of Social Sciences & SolvayBusinessSchool
Department
Communication Sciences
Educational team
Karl Verstrynge (course titular)
Activities and contact hours

26 contact hours Lecture
2 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
128 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

An understanding of media-ethical problems is the very core of this course. To this extent these problems are situated in the main ethical traditions, in order to impart students with a critical, reflective and deliberate view on the rol of media and communication.
This course is twofold: on the one hand traditional ethical theories (deontological ethics, consequentionalism and virtue ethics) are discussed, on the other hand focus is on specific cases, ethical codes and media-deontology.

Course material
Course text (Recommended) : Media en ethiek
Additional info

Students receive printed notes that are commented upon during the course. Some parts of the course have no printed notes, and students are then asked to take notes themselves. Every academic year two texts are presented that are asked to be studied autonomously.

Learning Outcomes

General Competencies

This course contributes to the following general learning results of the bachelor in communication sciences:

  • students show insight in the position and mutual relations of the diverse paradigms, main theoretical currents, concepts and research traditions within the discipline and in relation to other theories, methods, concepts and models in other disciplines (interdisciplinarity),
  • students demonstrate insight in the underlying human and worldview and (the historical development of) assumptions of the diverse paradigms, main theoretical currents, concepts and research traditions in general and their approach to the relation between media, communication and society in particular,
  • students have knowledge and insight regarding applicable research methods in the discipline,
  • students have knowledge and understanding of historical and recent developments in media and communication,
  • students have knowledge and understanding of the national, European and international policy context in which these media and communication organisations, structures and processes develop,
  • students are able to detect trends and issues within a media landscape, analyse these on the basis of a theoretical framework of reference and analysis, and estimate their societal, professional and policy implications,
  • students show a critical attitude with regard to sources and literature,
  • students can develop their own scientifically grounded judgement and act in the spirit of free inquiry – i.e. with an open, critical-constructive and a-dogmatic attitude. Students do not seek ‘ultimate truths’, yet respond to scientific debate and the relative uncertainty of insights from an open position,
  • students can critically and self-critically, with a long term perspective, from an interdisciplinary angle, and cautious of monocausal interpretations, gauge the impact of social, cultural, economic, ethical, technological, political, legal and other factors to communication processes,
  • students reflect upon their own position as scientists, construe assumptions and identify and explicitate critically their presuppositions,
  • students demonstrate an honest attitude, ethical stance and engaged position, permitting a relevant contribution to current scientific and societal debates,
  • students act upon an open attitude in a culturally diverse international context. They critically reflect on their own (geographical, social, cultural, local, personal, …) position,
  • students develop an attitude of willingness to listen and respect to one another in order to engage in debates on the basis of scientifically and empirically grounded arguments,
  • students can – with guidance – learn and act independently, creatively, critically and entrepreneurially,
  • students demonstrate an interested, studious and inquisitive attitude and have an open attitude to life long and independent learning.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 100% of the final mark.

Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Written Exam with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

Not applicable

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Bachelor of Communication Studies: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)