One of the most important ethical lessons I learned in Dr. Z’s class is that there is no one solid set of ethical rules. It’s more important to follow your own personal ethical code because ultimately you’re the one who has to live with the decisions you make. Will you be able to sleep at night? Will you be comfortable with your decision to write that article or to publish that photo?
This course taught me a lot of things in the world of journalistic ethics. Before taking this class I thought there was a clear line between what was ethical and what wasn’t, and after taking this course I see that that isn’t always the case. Sometimes lines are blurred or the pros outweigh the cons. I feel like after taking this class, I’ll be a better journalist and person in the future.
Before taking this class, if I asked anyone who had taken it how it was everyone had great things to say. All students I asked said that they really enjoyed COM409 and that it really taught them a lot. When asked who my professor was, and after I answered I would get big grins in return and a simple “He’s the man.” I thought that although sometimes I would rather be napping than sitting in Willard building, I genuinely enjoyed the time I spent in Dr. Z’s class. He tried to make it as fun as he could and didn’t criticize our opinions, he was genuinely curious as to why we had them.
I enjoy a class where I don’t feel like just another face in the crowd, where the teachers actually know your name and respond to your e-mails and have their office door open whenever you have a question.