The mass media are one of the most powerful institutions in society. With that power, SHOULD come great responsibility. This course will explore the origins of ethical behavior and actions within the media. We will look at both classical and contemporary approaches to ethical decision making and apply them to modern media practices. At the same time, we will ask whether the media today are acting appropriately in regard to ethical practice, and if not, why not. We will not only critique media practices, we will also search for suggestions that will most positively affect both the media institutions and the publics with which they interact and upon which they rely for their livelihood.

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:

• Understand the major ethical approaches that have affected moral decision making in the media today, as well as the role of professionals in shaping those decisions.
• Understand the complex relationship between technological, social, cultural, and economic effects on the media and how those impact moral decision making.
• Understand how to make complex moral decisions as a media practitioner by considering all affected parties, and especially the difference between functional and moral obligations and how to order your priorities.
• Apply these concepts to our study of media and icons in Amsterdam.
• Critique the mass media in regard to ethical imperatives.

These outcomes will be accomplished primarily through assigned readings, lectures, class discussions, walking tours, and in-depth study in Amsterdam. They will be tested in in-class assignments, case studies, and social media posts. Your work in this class will draw on your understanding of media ethics, as learned through lectures and readings and excursions. You will also be asked to think about ethics in a way that, hopefully, will make moral philosophy not just an arcane study, but a real and necessary component of your professional and personal character.