Communication Theory and Ethics

PBDS 635.185

NOTE: This is representative of the syllabi for this course. It is not necessarily the syllabus being used in any one semester.

Description and Objectives.

We will take a historical approach to the study of the relationship between communication theory and ethics, examining the development of theoretical structure, the cultural context from which it grows, and the ethical issues which both these factors call into being. We will begin by exploring the historical foundations of the relationship between culture and communication in myth and symbolic development. This will lead us to an in-depth exploration of the nature of symbolic form.

Following this we will examine the various ways in which reality is constructed and

meaning is negotiated for public consumption, posing questions about the confluence

between perception and conception. We will explore how the world is presented in places normally thought to be neutral environments and the questions that arise when that concept of neutrality is called into question. The issue through which we will examine these problems of ethics and communication will be museum exhibits. You will be required to visit at least three museums on your own to prepare for class discussions. Please make sure you have made your visit before the day on which we are set to discuss that venue.

While the texts are difficult, they are both interesting and rewarding. Class support will be a large part of this course and we will all be helping each other to negotiate meaning for what we read. Just as no one has all the answers neither is one person without any answers at all. Have confidence, have faith and have fun.

Required Texts

1. The Sacred and the Profane -- Mircea Eliade

2. Philosophy in a New Key -- Suzanne Langer

3. Simluations -- Jean Baudrillard

4. Exhibit Labels: An Interpretive Approach -- Beverly Serrell

5. Philip Nobile

Grades

Will be based on the following:

Issue Paper 15%

Museum Papers 30%

Project 20%

Participation 30%

Evening Wear 5%

Ballroom Dancing optional

Please Keep in Mind

This is a graduate communication course and as such all required papers must be intelligently and coherently composed, all departmental writing policies will be observed. Papers must be typewritten, a handout on proper form will follow. Late papers will be accepted only if I am informed of the reason before the paper is due. Absence is not an excuse for late work.

If you are going to be absent, your work must still appear in my box by the end of the class period.

Attendance is mandatory. I recognize, however, that there is the occasional intrusion of life into our business which necessitates the missing of class. If this should be the case, I advise that you do the following. Be sure that any assignment is placed in my box. Call a classmate to get notes on what you missed. If you have any questions about the missed class after you have discussed the material with a colleague, you may check with me.

For every reading assignment there is a concurrent writing assignment. For each reading

assignment -- which means every day class meets -- you should spend ten minutes writing a response to what you have read. You may write about anything in the piece you liked, didn't like, didn't understand, understood, agreed with, didn't agree with, or generally had questions about. If you find the reading difficult to understand summarizing here may help. The purpose of this assignment is to get you started thinking about and interacting with what you have read. This will help you arrive in class prepared to discuss the readings. I will collect what you write, only to see that you are keeping up with the reading. Do not worry about misinterpretation of the text or any other writing problems; it is probable that you will not fully understand what you have read until you start wrestling with it.

Four papers and one project are required. Three papers will be responses to the museum exhibits that you will visit. For the fourth paper you should select an ethical issue and explore it in some depth within the framework of the communication theory we have examined. The project will be a detailed proposal for a museum exhibit. All required work will be explained in greater detail as the semester progresses.

All assignments are due at the beginning of class.

Tentative Course Schedule

DA1E TOPIC READ FOR TODAY

9/10 Introductory Class

9/17 The Myth of Eternal Return Eliade Ch. 1-2

9/24 Symbolic Culture Eliade Ch. 3-4, Etc.

10/1 What is Symbolic Form Langer Ch. 1-3

10/8 The Breakdown of Symbolic Form Langer Ch. 4-7

10/15 Applications for Symbolic Fonn Langer Ch 8-10

10/22 The Simulation of America Baudrillard

DUE: Ethical Issue Paper

10/29 The Construction of Reality Serrell Part 1

11/5 The Walters & BMA Serrell Part 2

11/12 Museum of Visionary Art Serrell Part 3

11/19 Writing Reality - Project discussions

11/26 Holocaust Museum

12/3 Enola Gay Exhibit NASM website, Nobile

12/10 Project Presentations

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			Communication Theory and Ethics PBDS 635.185 NOTE: This is representative of the syllabi for this course. It is not necessarily the syllabus being used in any one semester. Description and Objectives. We will take a historical approach to the study of the relationship between communication theory and ethics, examining the development of theoretical structure, the cultural context from which it grows, and the ethical issues which both these factors call into being. We will begin by exploring the historical foundations of the relationship between culture and communication in myth and symbolic development. This will lead us to an in-depth exploration of the nature of symbolic form. Following this we will examine the various ways in which reality is constructed and meaning is negotiated for public consumption, posing questions about the confluence between perception and conception. We will explore how the world is presented in places normally thought to be neutral environments and the questions that arise when that concept of neutrality is called into question. The issue through which we will examine these problems of ethics and communication will be museum exhibits. You will be required to visit at least three museums on your own to prepare for class discussions. Please make sure you have made your visit before the day on which we are set to discuss that venue. While the texts are difficult, they are both interesting and rewarding. Class support will be a large part of this course and we will all be helping each other to negotiate meaning for what we read. Just as no one has all the answers neither is one person without any answers at all. Have confidence, have faith and have fun. Required Texts 1. The Sacred and the Profane -- Mircea Eliade 2. Philosophy in a New Key -- Suzanne Langer 3. Simluations -- Jean Baudrillard 4. Exhibit Labels: An Interpretive Approach -- Beverly Serrell 5. Philip Nobile Grades Will be based on the following: Issue Paper 15% Museum Papers 30% Project 20% Participation 30% Evening Wear 5% Ballroom Dancing optional Please Keep in Mind This is a graduate communication course and as such all required papers must be intelligently and coherently composed, all departmental writing policies will be observed. Papers must be typewritten, a handout on proper form will follow. Late papers will be accepted only if I am informed of the reason before the paper is due. Absence is not an excuse for late work. If you are going to be absent, your work must still appear in my box by the end of the class period. Attendance is mandatory. I recognize, however, that there is the occasional intrusion of life into our business which necessitates the missing of class. If this should be the case, I advise that you do the following. Be sure that any assignment is placed in my box. Call a classmate to get notes on what you missed. If you have any questions about the missed class after you have discussed the material with a colleague, you may check with me. For every reading assignment there is a concurrent writing assignment. For each reading assignment -- which means every day class meets -- you should spend ten minutes writing a response to what you have read. You may write about anything in the piece you liked, didn't like, didn't understand, understood, agreed with, didn't agree with, or generally had questions about. If you find the reading difficult to understand summarizing here may help. The purpose of this assignment is to get you started thinking about and interacting with what you have read. This will help you arrive in class prepared to discuss the readings. I will collect what you write, only to see that you are keeping up with the reading. Do not worry about misinterpretation of the text or any other writing problems; it is probable that you will not fully understand what you have read until you start wrestling with it. Four papers and one project are required. Three papers will be responses to the museum exhibits that you will visit. For the fourth paper you should select an ethical issue and explore it in some depth within the framework of the communication theory we have examined. The project will be a detailed proposal for a museum exhibit. All required work will be explained in greater detail as the semester progresses. All assignments are due at the beginning of class. Tentative Course Schedule DA1E TOPIC READ FOR TODAY 9/10 Introductory Class 9/17 The Myth of Eternal Return Eliade Ch. 1-2 9/24 Symbolic Culture Eliade Ch. 3-4, Etc. 10/1 What is Symbolic Form Langer Ch. 1-3 10/8 The Breakdown of Symbolic Form Langer Ch. 4-7 10/15 Applications for Symbolic Fonn Langer Ch 8-10 10/22 The Simulation of America Baudrillard DUE: Ethical Issue Paper 10/29 The Construction of Reality Serrell Part 1 11/5 The Walters & BMA Serrell Part 2 11/12 Museum of Visionary Art Serrell Part 3 11/19 Writing Reality - Project discussions 11/26 Holocaust Museum 12/3 Enola Gay Exhibit NASM website, Nobile 12/10 Project Presentations :'~; home \| bs, corporate communication \| ba, english \| ma, publications design \| mfa, integrated design \| mfa, creative writing & publishing arts \| people \| portfolio \| facilities \| classes \| undergraduate applications \| graduate applications \| contact \| site index \| university of baltimore