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Communicating Ethically
William W. Neher, Butler University
Paul Sandin, Butler University

ISBN-10: 0205393632
ISBN-13: 9780205393633

Publisher: Allyn & Bacon
Copyright: 2007
Format: Paper; 368 pp
Published: 03/14/2006

Suggested retail price: $70.40
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Communicating Ethically provides a broad introduction to the ethical nature of communication. 

 

The text combines coverage of the major systems of ethical reasoning with lots of applications, including case studies in each chapter, to investigate ethics within many fields in the discipline: rhetoric, interpersonal communication, organizational communication, political communication, and mass communication/media.  By incorporating a simple framework for ethical reasoning, students will be able to develop their own understanding of the various criteria for making ethical judgments.

  • Introduces students to broad coverage of the basic questions about the ethical nature of communication.  The text covers ethical considerations in numerous communication fields—rhetoric, interpersonal communication, organizational communication, mass communication/media, and political communication.   
  • Presents an overview of the major systems of ethical reasoning and applications.  Part 1 presents the major systems of ethical reasoning throughout history: virtue ethics, universalistic systems of ethics, utilitarianism and egalitarian theories of ethics, dialogic ethics, and postmodern and feminist perspectives.  Part 2 covers applications of ethics in various communicative settings so that students can see how the major systems are applied in the real world.
  • Offers a case study in each chapter, illustrating principles related to the chapter topic.  The case studies provide students with an opportunity to apply concepts that they learn while developing their critical thinking skills.
  • Develops a capstone with the last chapter to assist instructors and students in pulling together the various themes and topics discussed throughout the text.   
  • Gives a framework for ethical reasoning that is easy for instructors to teach and easy for students to learn.  The text borrows a model from argumentation theory — three forms of propositions: Fact, Value, and Policy — thereby allowing students to develop an understanding of the various criteria that have been formulated for making ethical judgments.
  • Provides extended coverage of ethical considerations related to issues of diversity, including people with disabilities.
  • Includes a full chapter on the ethics of computer-mediated and web-based communication.

1. Introduction to Communication Ethics.

Reasoning about Communication Ethics.

Definitions.

The Scope of Communication Ethics.

2. Character in Communication and Virtue Ethics.

Background of Virtue Ethics.

The Art of Communication and Ethics.

Contemporary Virtue Ethics.

Case Application: Comparing Apples to Hammers

Implications for Communication Ethics

3. Duties.

The Basis for Kant’s Universalism: The Categorical Imperative.

Other Universalistic Ethics of Communication.

Alternatives to Universal Rules Systems.

Modern Trends: Jurgen Habermas and Discourse Ethics.

Case Application: Oskar Schindler, the Righteous Gentile.

4. Consequences.

Utilitarianism.

Contractualism and Egalitarianism.

Case Application: Surveillance at Sizgie Corporation.

5. Relationships.

Dialogical Ethics.

Foundations of Dialogical Ethics.

Case Study: The Island Story.

Implications for Communication Ethics.

6. Contemporary Challenges.

Postmodern Perspectives.

The Feminist Challenge.

Case Application: The Prodigal Child.

7. Ethics in Interpersonal Communication: Relationship and Character.

The Nature of Interpersonal Communication.

The Ethics of Dialogue in Interpersonal Communication.

Ethical Communication in Interpersonal Relationships: Character Counts.

The Ethics of Self-Disclosure.

Case Application: Should She Tell?

8. Ethics and the Communication of Diversity.

Elements of Diversity.

Intercultural Communication.

Ethical Stance on Intercultural Communication.

Applications: Tolerance and Diversity.

Case Application: Security and Tolerance.

9. Communication Ethics and Disabilities.

Ethical Considerations: Our Story.

Ethics and Communicating with Persons with Disabilities.

Applications of Ethical Perspectives.

Case Application: Ethics and “Jerry’s Kids”

10. Ethical Issues in Mass Communication.

The Field of the Media and Mass Communication.

Overview of Ethical Issues in Mass Communication.

Major Ethical Issues in Mass Communication.

Application of Ethical Principles for Mass Communication.

Case Application: Decisions in Mass Communication.

11. Ethics of Political Communication.

The Practices of Political Communication.

The Role of Political Consultants.

The Role of Lobbyists.

Framework for Ethical Political Communication.

12. Ethics in Organizational Communication.

Overview of Concerns in Organizational Communication.

Ethical Issues in Organizational Communication.

Ethical Vantage Points for Issues in Organizational Communication.

Case Application: Good Business or Bribery?

13. Ethics and Communication Technology.  

The Changing Face of Communication and Technology.

The Internet and Web-Based Communication.

Major Ethical Issues in Communication Technology.

Ethical Framework and Communication Technology.

Case Application: Let’s Meet at the Mall After School. 

14. Capstone.

Learning (and Teaching) Communication Ethics: Can It Be Done?

Challenges and Issues for Further Studies in Communication Ethics.

Topic for Reflection: A Personal Code of Communication Ethics.

A Final Word.

Communicating Ethically provides a broad introduction to the ethical nature of communication.

The text combines coverage of the major systems of ethical reasoning with lots of applications, including case studies in each chapter investigating ethics within many fields: interpersonal communication, organizational communication, political communication, and mass communication/media. By incorporating a simple framework for ethical reasoning, students will be able to develop their own understanding of the various criteria for making ethical judgments.

Features

  • Presents an overview of the major systems of ethical reasoning and applications. Part 1 presents the major systems of ethical reasoning throughout history: virtue ethics, universalistic systems of ethics, utilitarianism and egalitarian theories of ethics, dialogic ethics, and postmodern and feminist perspectives. Part 2 covers applications of ethics in various communicative settings, so that students can see how the major systems are applied in the real world.
  • Offers a case study in each chapter, illustrating principles related to the chapter topic. The case studies provide students with an opportunity to apply concepts that they learn while developing their critical thinking skills.
  • Develops a capstone with the last chapter to assist instructors and students in pulling together the various themes and topics discussed throughout the text.
  • Gives a framework for ethical reasoning that is easy for instructors to teach and easy for students to learn. The text borrows a model from argumentation theory – three forms of propositions: Fact, Value, and Policy – thereby allowing students to develop an understanding of the various criteria that have been formulated for making ethical judgments.

Praise for Communicating Ethically

Throughout the book, the authors had an excellent selection of examples. The examples were often from prominent incidents, and they were interesting cases to consider. I found this book to be very well written. And overall, I was very impressed — it exceeded my expectations by a considerable margin… I strongly recommend this book.
~ Jonathan Hess, University of Missouri, Columbia

The writing style is excellent.
~ L. David Schuelke, Bethel College

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