OVERVIEW

Teaching analyses the fundamental problems, theoretical and applicative, related to communication ethics and, in particular: the relationship between ethics in general and communication ethics; the spheres and forms of communication; ethical models of communication ethics; specific aspects such as journalism ethics; advertising communication ethics; ethics applied to ICT. The theoretical study will be supported by the analysis of ethically relevant cases.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims at providing a basic knowledge of the main issues related to the ethics of communication and professional ethics, in order to foster students consciousness. The theoretical approach will be integrated by a case- studies analysis and the acquisition of methodologies allowing the students to find out practical solutions in presence of moral dilemmas or conflicts.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Teaching aims to provide a general understanding of the main ethical models of communication ethics and of the ethical questions connected with the professions of communication

At the end of the course, the student will be able to: 1. Identify and describe the main theoretical models related to communication ethics; 2. Understand the fundamental problems posed by the different ethical approaches in order to orientate themselves between the different theories; 3. Apply the theories to the study of ethically relevant cases in the professions of communication, to develop ethical competence; 4. To analyze moral questions concerning the ethics of communication in order to acquire the lexicon and the argumentative modes typical of the various theories; 5. Critically evaluate the implications, in terms of policy, of the different models of communication ethics, to identify the possibilities of application to social contexts in the perspective of a "professionalization" of teaching.

TEACHING METHODS

1. Frontal lessons aimed at providing the concentric tools, vocabulary and key expressions of the discipline's sectorial language

2. Interactive lessons based on the students' questions and requests for in-depth study. This mode also includes peer-to-peer lessons

3. Case studies

Students with disabilities, with a Specific Learning Disorder (SLD), or with Special Educational Needs (SEN) are reminded that, in order to request exam accommodations, they must first submit their certification to the University’s Office for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and SLD.

After this step, students with a disability or SLD who wish to request exam accommodations are required to complete the online form available on the following page: Services for Students with Disabilities or SLD | UniGe | University of Genoa. Students with SEN, instead, must send an e‑mail to the course instructor, copying the School Representative for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and SLD (laura.traverso@unige.it) and the “Student Inclusion” Office (inclusione.studenti@info.unige.it). The e‑mail must specify:
- the title of the course
- the date of the exam session the student’s 

- surname, name, and student ID number the compensatory tools and dispensatory measures considered necessary and requested
For all students, accommodation requests must be submitted well in advance (7 working days) before the exam date. Requests submitted after this deadline may not be accepted.The lectures will be supported with the use of slides and documents that will be published on the Aulaweb  

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The program is divided into three parts. The first, introductory to the discipline, concerns the definition of ethics; the ethics – applied ethics relationship, with particular reference to communication ethics; the definition of the proper domain of communication ethics. The second part, focuses on the meanings of communication and their ethical implications; on the forms and models of communication ethics. The third part, is devoted to the study of  communication ethics applied to ICT and to the study of ethically significant and problematic cases.

The teaching contributes to the achievement of the following Sustainable Development Goal of the UN 2030 Agenda:    

Goal 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

 A. Fabris, Etica della comunicazione, Carocci, Roma 2014
 M. Galletti, Filosofia dell'intelligenza artificiale, Il Mulino, Bologna 2024

For non‑attending students, an additional integration with the assigned textbook is required: :  

C. CASIRAGHI, Comunicazione Etica, Apogeo Maggioli Editore, Santarcangelo di Romagna (RN), 2018 (Capitoli 1, 2, 3)

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Mondayy 3 November 2025

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral
The examination is structured as follows:
- Colloquium concerning fundamental aspects of ethics
- Colloquium on topics covered in the adopted texts
- Case studies

ASSESSMENT METHODS

 The examination is designed to assess                                                                                                                                                    
 - knowledge relating to ethics and the topics covered in the books adopted (maximum mark 10/30)
- skills relating to argumentation, mastery of sectorial language, clarity of exposition, personal reworking (maximum mark 7/30)
- skills in developing links between the various parts into which the teaching programme is divided and between different disciplines, with particular reference to the ethical implications of analyses produced by the various social sciences (maximum mark 7/30)
- analytical and argumentation skills relating to case studies (maximum mark 6/30)

FURTHER INFORMATION

Seminars with experts on course topics are planned