Course Information
SemesterCourse Unit CodeCourse Unit TitleT+P+LCreditNumber of ECTS CreditsLast Updated Date
3GRF209Law and Ethics in Communication3+0+03315.05.2026

 
Course Details
Language of Instruction Turkish
Level of Course Unit Associate Degree
Department / Program Graphic Design
Type of Program Formal Education
Type of Course Unit Compulsory
Course Delivery Method Face To Face
Objectives of the Course The aim of this course is to inform students about media ethics and the historical development of ethical rules. Students will analyze unethical practices and gain the ability to evaluate media events from an ethical perspective.
Course Content This course includes basic concepts of communication and media law, freedom of communication and its limitations, national and international media regulations, ethical issues in journalism, ethical rules in advertising and public relations, ethical and legal responsibilities in new media and digital platforms, censorship, disinformation, and hate speech, as well as RTÜK and other regulatory bodies. Additionally, students learn to analyze and evaluate cases within the framework of media ethics.
Course Methods and Techniques The course will be conducted both theoretically and practically. Students will analyze media ethics, examine unethical practices, and evaluate events from an ethical perspective.
Prerequisites and co-requisities None
Course Coordinator None
Name of Lecturers Asist Prof.Dr. Betül GÜNDOĞAN
Assistants None
Work Placement(s) No

Recommended or Required Reading
Resources Barendt, E. (2016). Freedom of Speech. Oxford University Press.
Ward, S. J. A. (2019). Ethics and the Media: An Introduction. Cambridge University Press.
Lecture Slides
Course Notes The following resources will be used throughout the course:

"Media Ethics: Issues and Cases" by Philip Patterson and Lee Wilkins
"The Elements of Journalism" by Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel
"Ethics in Media Communications: Cases and Controversies" by Louis A. Day
"Journalism Ethics: A Philosophical Approach" by Christopher Meyers
"Media Ethics: Key Principles for Responsible Practice" by Patrick Lee Plaisance
Exams Ara Sınav, Ödev, Final Sınavı

Course Category
Social Sciences %50
Field %50

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
Activities are given in detail in the section of "Assessment Methods and Criteria" and "Workload Calculation"

Assessment Methods and Criteria
In-Term Studies Quantity Percentage
Mid-terms 1 % 30
Assignment 1 % 20
Final examination 1 % 50
Total
3
% 100

 
ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload
Activities Quantity Duration Total Work Load
Course Duration 14 3 42
Hours for off-the-c.r.stud 14 1 14
Assignments 1 6 6
Mid-terms 1 10 10
Final examination 1 15 15
Total Work Load   Number of ECTS Credits 3 87

 
Course Learning Outcomes: Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
NoLearning Outcomes
1 Explains the basic concepts of communication law and ethical principles.
2 Evaluates freedom of communication and its limitations in legal and ethical contexts.
3 Analyzes legal and ethical responsibilities in media and digital platforms.
4 Identifies ethical violations in communication processes and develops solutions.
5 Approaches current legal and ethical issues with a critical perspective.

 
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
WeekTopicsStudy MaterialsMaterials
1 Course Overview and Basic Concepts
2 Basic approaches to ethics: normative ethics
3 Basic approaches to ethics: non-normative ethics
4 Types of Communication and Communication Ethics
5 Professional ethics in the communications field
6 Freedom and self-regulation in an ethical context: hate speech and disinformation
7 Censorship, self-censorship, freedom of expression, and freedom of the press
8 Representation, Discrimination, and Ethical Dilemmas in the Media
9 Artificial Intelligence and Ethical Issues
10 Business and Ethics: The Commercial Nature of Communicative Actions and Ethical Responsibilities
11 Law and Ethics: Differences and Overlaps
12 Legal obligations and frameworks in communication
13 Legal regulations in media and communications
14 General assessment and discussion

 
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 P9 P10 P11 P12
C1 5 4 4
C2 4 4
C3 4 3 4
C4 5 5
C5 4 4 4

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  https://obs.gedik.edu.tr/oibs/bologna/progCourseDetails.aspx?curCourse=237924&curProgID=55&lang=en