Communication Ethics Graduate Certificate
https://journalism.uoregon.edu/academics/graduate-programs
Thomas Bivins
Professor, John L. Hulteng Chair in Media Ethics & Responsibility
Email: tbivins@uoregon.edu
Phone: 541-346-3740
Office: 311B Allen Hall
The Graduate Certificate in Communication Ethics provides students with the ability to apply and teach both theoretical and applied ethical decision-making strategies covering a variety of media—from print and broadcast journalism to advertising and public relations, including both message construction and the multiple delivery systems associated with the modern mass media (print, broadcast, electronic, and digital).
Please note that this program is not accepting applications at this time.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Understand and discuss core theories informing communication and media ethics.
- Analyze and research significant ethical issues of communication and multiple forms of media.
- Apply and teach ethical decision-making strategies for communication and media research and practice.
- Articulate and address ethical issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion in communication and media theory and practice.
- Develop ethical, effective practices for research, work and life.
Communication Ethics Graduate Certificate Requirements
Any student who is unconditionally admitted to the Division of Graduate Studies may earn a certificate in communication ethics as an enhancement to a graduate degree. However, the certificate may be of particular interest to the journalism school’s graduate students.
The certificate program is designed to provide students with the ability to apply and teach both theoretical and applied ethical decision-making strategies covering a variety of media—from print and broadcast journalism to advertising and public relations, including both message construction and the multiple delivery systems associated with the modern mass media (print, broadcast, electronic, and digital).
Students should be able to fulfill the program requirements within a two-year period, normally in conjunction with their primary graduate emphasis.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| J 644 | Philosophy of Communication | 4 |
| Select three of the following: 1 | 12 | |
| Issues in Communication Studies: [Topic] | ||
| Communication Ethics and Law: [Topic] | ||
| Political Economy of Communication | ||
| Cultural Approaches to Communication | ||
| International Communication | ||
| Approved courses in other departments 2 | 8 | |
| Other journalism or outside courses 3,4 | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 28 | |
- 1
Students, particularly at the doctoral level, are encouraged to make the 600-level courses a priority. The following list represents courses that have been identified as having a strong or exclusive focus in communication ethics, including topics highly relevant to ethics study.
- Issues in Communication Studies: [Topic] (J 512) (Communication and Democracy)
- Communication Ethics and Law: [Topic] (J 596) (Ethics of Strategic Communication; Persuasion and Ethics; Photo Fiction; Visual Truth)
- Political Economy of Communication (J 646)
- Cultural Approaches to Communication (J 648)
- International Communication (J 649)
- 2
Approved courses are decided in consultation with the student’s certificate advisor and are based on relevance to the particular interest area of the student (e.g., political communication, environmental communication, philosophy). The advisor consults with the course instructor before approving a course. Ultimately, program coherence is gained through the core offerings in the school, but may be greatly enhanced through careful choices of outside course work. In most cases, courses in the philosophy department are encouraged as outside choices.
- 3
No more than 4 credits of Reading and Conference (J 605) may be applied to the certificate.
- 4
All students pursuing the communication ethics certificate (except PhD students in journalism) must take Mass Communication and Society (J 611). However, it does not count toward the 28 credits required for the graduate certificate.
Additional Requirement
Course work must be taken for letter grades.
The required journalism courses from which students select two courses are generally taught at least once a year. Substitutions may occur if courses are not available. Other, relevant courses may also be substituted for courses on this list as they are developed or are considered germane to an individual student’s program.
Application
For more information on the program and application procedure, contact Tom Bivins, John L. Hulteng Chair in Media Ethics and Responsibility, 541-346-3740, tbivins@uoregon.edu.