Communication Ethics Literacy

Communication Ethics Literacy and Differences: Dialogic Learning

Crisis Communication
An increasing relevant metaphor for todays postmodern movement of virtue contention; the unexpected emerges and requires discernment and action as we encounter differing goods in the public domain
(p.210).

Arnett, R., Bell L., & Fritz, J. (2009) Communication ethics literacy: Dialogue and Difference. Los Angeles: Sage Publications, Inc.

Crisis Communications Studies

O The pragmatic demand

is to learn and investigate ways of negotiating contending goods, which leads to the
ongoing rise of crisis communication studies in this historical moment (pg. 212).

Arnett, R., Bell L., & Fritz, J. (2009) Communication ethics literacy: Dialogue and Difference.

Los Angeles: Sage Publications, Inc.

The Good
O The good is the valued center of a given

communication ethic what is most important and held in highest regard finds protection and promotion in our communication practices (pg. 3)
O

Bell L., & Fritz, J. (2009) Communication ethics literacy: Dialogue and Difference. Los Angeles: Sage Publications, Inc.

Narrative Theory
O Narrative theory gives us

a way of explaining the notion of ground under ones feet that is

idea based and not simply the soil of unexamined tradition. That same tradition can also be followed unthinkingly, without consideration of its content and coherence. Narrative theory encourages us to be reflective about the traditions that embed us and the goods that

those traditions carry (pg. 215).

O

Bell L., & Fritz, J. (2009) Communication ethics literacy: Dialogue and Difference. Los Angeles: Sage Publications, Inc

Narrative Theory
Fisher build his theory on the following:
O People are essentially storytellers O We make decisions on the basis of good reasons

O History, biography, culture, and character determine

what we consider good reasons

O Narrative rationality is determined by the coherence

and fidelity of our stories

O The world is a set of stories from which we choose, and

thus constantly re-create, our lives

O

Source: http://stevefournier01.tripod.com/hist/hist-4.html

Coach Carter

Lets Talk
O Penn State University O Syracuse University

Penn State Football Program Narrative

O 2 National Titles
O 1982, 1986

O Six Perfect Seasons

O 1887, 1912, 1968, 1969, 1986, 1994

O 43 Bowl Games
O 24 Wins/Paterno more bowl appearances

than any other college coach in football history

O 1 Heisman Trophy winner

Syracuse University Basketball Narrative

O 3 National Championships O Ranks #5 in college wins from 199? - 2011

Narrative Theory in Practice

O Integrity suggest that an organization do what Fisher

called for in narrative discourse: Work at telling a story that can be backed up by practices (216). O Confidence must rest in the public disclosure between the story and daily communicative practices. O Communication ethics theory becomes a form of spectacles that provide a particular view of the world; the key is not just in the theory, but also in the telling about the particular way of looking a public display of the spectacles that govern our insights (217).

Narratives
O What is the narrative for both the Penn State

and Syracuse sports programs now in the spotlight? Is it a metanarrative?

O How did it shape the decisions or actions of

individuals involved in the scandal? The students, alumni and fans?

O Is the narrative shaping how media is covering

both stories?

Penn State
O Sandusky Interview with Bob Costas

Penn State
O .. Communication ethics becomes the

pragmatic unity of learning and discerning differing views of the good

What Would You Do?

O University officials should pledge to donate all of Penn

State's football revenues next year to child abuse charities.

O They should also hire a prominent, highly respected

person, of Colin Powell's stature, to review the entire program, issue a public report, oversee all necessary changes and hire the next coach.
O Suspend Paterno's $500,000-a-year pension.

Mark Stevens, chief executive of branding firm MSCO in Rye

Brook, N.Y.

What Would You Do?

O A full and sincere apology to the children and families who

have been affected by the actions of the accused individual, and the inaction of the entire Penn State management structure.
O

Cooperate fully with the investigation of the alleged child abuse and identify all individuals involved in the obfuscation, with swift dismissal of any and all those who played a role in covering up the abuse reputation-building and instilling ethics into the culture of the institution.

O It should be prepared for many years of reparation,

O Gerard Corbett, chair-elect, Public Relations Society of America

What Would You Do?

O If they start winning next season, a lot of this

is going to be forgotten and forgiven. That sounds awful to bring this all down to whether their football team wins or loses, but that's the recent experience of colleges that have had big scandals.
O

Larry Smith, president of the Institute for Crisis Management, Louisville, Ky.