One of the most important ethical lessons that I have learned throughout the course is the entire decision-making process. In my mind, making decisions was a mix of gut feeling and potential reaction. To learn that there are five different processes people use to make their decisions was important to me because I clearly needed to have a different way of making choices.
There were some processes that I didn’t like too much, such as Confucius’ Golden Mean, but there were some that really could make a positive impact on my life. Kant’s Categorical Imperative is a decision-making process that really resonates with me. The idea of acting in ways that would become the universal law of human action seems like a simple idea, but something you need to hear about to really understand. I do believe that people should do what is morally right no matter the consequence, just as Kant’s Categorical Imperative says.
Another important ethical lesson I’ve learned in this class is about photojournalism. Pictures and videos have become so important in the world of social media that it is an important thing for everyone to learn about. Obviously, we’ve learned not to fabricate the pictures, but we’ve also learned that just editing out someone’s feet in a picture could result in your credibility being ruined. As a journalist, you have to release the full truth about a picture or video, so photoshopping a small part or slightly speeding up a video is completely unethical.
One case study that impressed me was the Stephen Glass case study. Watching the movie in class gave me a more in-depth experience of the case study and really allowed the case to stick with me. Fabrication is basically the cardinal sin of journalism and Stephen Glass is one of the most prolific fabricators of all time. This case really stuck out to me because it shows how easy it is to fabricate and how it is in no means worth it. It taught me that it is never okay to lie in your work and it shows the consequences of doing so.
It is evident that this course as had an impact on my future moving forward. This class was able to clear up any issues I had on how to act ethical in a world where everything you do matters. There is little room for a slip up in a job where credibility is everything. This class could very well prevent me from making a mistake in my career that could end up saving my job. However, this class will also have an impact on my life outside of work. Ethical issues are something you face in everyday life, learning how to handle myself in the best possible way is something that will forever impact my life, and I will teach my kids to act in a similar way.
This course as a whole, I think was great. Dr. Z was a fantastic teacher who clearly laid out cases to let us learn through real world situations. I have already recommended this class to my friends outside the college of communications and will continue to do so. The class is simple, yet extensive. The topics are well designed each week that allows you to learn in a more effective way. I am thankful I took this class and the things I’ve learned will be with me forever.