Communication and Media Ethics deals with the moral issues concerning communication both from a theoretical and an applicative point of view. Through the critical reading of classical texts and the analysis of particular issues and / or cases, it aims to develop specific ethical skills.
Through the analysis of different theories and models of communication from Aristotle to the contemporary debate, students develop the moral implications of communication. Ethical and deontological skills applicable to communication in the media, in institutions, in the doctor-patient relationship, in advertising, in cultural mediation, and in business, are also a training objective. Relational and communication skills are developed through group analysis of individual case studies.
1. Knowledge: the dialectic ethics/communication ethics; main models of communication ethics; ethics and professional deontology. 2. Capabilities: ability to analyze significant cases from an ethical point of view and finding solutions to ethical dilemmas in the field of communication. 3. Skills: organizing team work; design of an oral and written presentation; public speaking.
Knowledge of the development of mass media. Attention to the problems of information and communication. Interest in ethical and deontological issues.
Traditional lectures, reading of modern and contemporary texts plus direct participation of students by means, as well, of both individual and group presentation of scientific papers.Students are required to register on Aulaweb, where useful materials for the course will be uploaded.
The course is divided into three phases. Within the first, prof. Michel Croce will deal in detail with the main models of communication ethics, the role of experts in the public realm and the ethics of fake news. In the second, prof. Alberto Giordano will present a conceptual analysis of the moral dilemmas aroused by lying, manipulation, deceit and hypocrisy, focusing as well on a great number of case studies.The third part will be devoted to the presentation of some scientific papers organized and implemented by students themselves.
Premise: students who attend classes on a regular basis (both for 6 and 9 cfu) will have the chance to replace a book with a presentation of a scientific paper and the study of a further article.
For students who attend classes on a regular basis (6 cfu).
Two books chosen among the following:
T. Piazza-M. Croce, Che cosa sono le fake news, Roma, Carocci, 2022.
L. Fr. H. Svendsen, Filosofia della menzogna, Milano, Guanda, 2022.
N. Urbinati, L'ipocrisia virtuosa, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2023.
For students who attend classes on a regular basis (9 cfu).
Three books chosen among the following:
A. Sgobba, La società della fiducia. Da Platone a WhatsApp, Milano, Il Saggiatore, 2020 (pages 11-64 and 119-210).
For students who do not attend classes on a regular basis (6 cfu).
A book chosen among the following:
L. Ceri, Etica della comunicazione, Bologna, il Mulino, 2018.
A. Fabris, Etica della comunicazione, Roma, Carocci, 2014.
For students who do not attend classes on a regular basis (9 cfu).
R. A. Ventura, La regola del gioco. Comunicare senza fare danni, Torino, Einaudi, 2023.
Ricevimento: First Semester: Monday 2-4 PM, Via Balbi 30/24 (seventh floor). Second Semester: Monday 10-12 AM, Via Balbi 30/24 (seventh floor).
Ricevimento: Students should email the lecturer to arrange a meeting.
MICHEL CROCE (President)
ALBERTO GIORDANO (President)
October 1, 2024
The exam will be carried out by means of an oral test.
1. Acquired knowledge is ascertained in the oral exam. 2. The competences, both expressive and linguistic, will be verified in the presentation and in the oral discussion. 3. Skills will be verified in the presentation and the final test.
Students who cannot attend classes on a regular basis, are kindly asked to get in touch with prof. Giordano and prof. Croce by writing an e-mail to alberto.giordano@edu.unige.it and michel.croce@unige.it.
