Ethics of Communication from Coursera

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Syllabus

Foundations of Communication Ethics

This week, you will begin to learn how to adopt a communication ethics literacy mindset and address the question, “What is communication ethics?” You will be guided through a self-analysis of your own values through video lectures, activities, and peer-graded exercises. You will also learn to use communication ethics terminology.

The Ethics of Listening

This week is structured according to three learning objectives. The first objective will encourage you to reflect on your own values related to listening in personal and professional settings through summative reflection. The second learning objective will guide you through distinguishing between different listening types through a summative reflection assignment. The third learning objective asks you to create an action plan for improving your listening skills through a peer discussion.

Conflict Communication

This week has three primary components: (1) Assessing organizational/professional communication in conflict scenarios, (2) considering your own preferred style of conflict communication, and (3) planning strategic communication responses, including using appropriate tools to respond.

Crisis Communication

This week's topics explore the dynamics of managing a crisis in a digital communication era with an integrated crisis communication framework. You will examine major scholars and crisis resources, and document your understanding of crisis communication ethics through a crisis scenario response. You will explore the major concepts and theories of crisis communication, identify best practices for creating crisis messages, and articulate the meaning and practice of communication ethics for crisis events. There will be one cumulative peer-graded assignment to assess your knowledge of all the learning objectives in this week. While completing this assignment, you will apply crisis concepts and devise strategies for communicating with various stakeholders. Acquiring these new interpretation skills will strengthen your responses to crisis scenarios and reinforce your understanding of the crisis planning and managing phases, as well. Additionally, you will learn about the primary components and definitions of crisis and differentiate between risk, problem, disaster, and paracrisis. You will use your new interpretation skills to shape responses to crisis scenarios using technology tools.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Geared towards executives, management, and human resources personnel

Provides a foundation in the ethical dimensions of business communication

Develops skills in conflict management and crisis communication

Features lectures by an experienced communication professor

Includes peer-graded assignments for practical application

Requires self-reflection and analysis of personal values

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Ethics of Communication with these activities:

Compile notes for easier review

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Starting the course with a strong foundation in course materials can help anchor the materials discussed in lectures

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Store your materials in a dedicated folder
Gather your class materials
Organize your materials into a digital or physical folder
Review your materials periodically

Watch a TED Talk on communication ethics

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These talks will expand your learning beyond the classroom

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Access the TED Talk
Watch the entire video
Take notes on the speaker's key points

Review 'Ethics in Practice' by Patricia Werhane

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This book will help expand knowledge on business ethics

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Purchase the book
Read the first three chapters
Complete the practice problems at the end of the chapters

Four other activities

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Answer discussion questions

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The course places a heavy emphasis on class discussions, and these practice questions will help you prepare for active participation

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Access the discussion questions
Choose one of the discussion questions
Post your response to the discussion board

Attend the Ethics in Communication Workshop

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This workshop will help you expand on concepts introduced in the course

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Register for the workshop
Attend the workshop
Take notes on the workshop content
Apply the workshop concepts to your own work

Offer to serve as a course mentor

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Mentoring provides an opportunity to reflect on concepts learned and improve your understanding

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Contact the course instructor
Express your interest in serving as a mentor
Attend mentor training
Meet with your mentees regularly

Volunteer with a local non-profit that aligns with course topics

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Volunteering will allow you to practice skills learned in class and apply them in a real world setting

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Research local nonprofit organizations
Identify an organization that aligns with your interests
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities
Complete the organization's volunteer training
Fulfill your volunteer commitment

Career center

Learners who complete Ethics of Communication will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Public relations manager

Public relations managers are responsible for shaping a company's public image and maintaining relationships with the media. They work closely with journalists, bloggers, and other influencers to get their clients' messages out to the public. The Ethics of Communication course can help public relations managers develop the skills they need to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences. The course covers topics such as ethical decision-making, crisis communication, and conflict resolution. This knowledge can help public relations managers build strong relationships with the media and manage their clients' reputations in a positive way.

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Marketing Communications Manager

Marketing communications managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns. They work with a variety of teams, including product development, sales, and customer service, to create marketing materials and campaigns that will reach the target audience. The Ethics of Communication course can help marketing communications managers develop the skills they need to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences. The course covers topics such as ethical decision-making, crisis communication, and conflict resolution. This knowledge can help marketing communications managers create effective marketing campaigns that are aligned with the company's ethical values.

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Corporate Communications Manager

Corporate communications managers are responsible for communicating with the public on behalf of a company. They work with a variety of teams, including public relations, marketing, and customer service, to develop and execute communication strategies. The Ethics of Communication course can help corporate communications managers develop the skills they need to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences. The course covers topics such as ethical decision-making, crisis communication, and conflict resolution. This knowledge can help corporate communications managers build strong relationships with the media and manage their companies' reputations in a positive way.

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Speechwriter

Speechwriters are responsible for writing speeches for politicians, business leaders, and other public figures. They need to be able to write speeches that are clear, concise, and persuasive. The Ethics of Communication course can help speechwriters develop the skills they need to write effective speeches. The course covers topics such as ethical decision-making, crisis communication, and conflict resolution. This knowledge can help speechwriters write speeches that are not only persuasive but also ethical and responsible.

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Technical Writer

Technical writers create instruction manuals, help files, and other documentation for software, hardware, and other products. They need to be able to write clear, concise, and accurate documentation that is easy for users to understand. The Ethics of Communication course can help technical writers develop the skills they need to write effective documentation. The course covers topics such as ethical decision-making, crisis communication, and conflict resolution. This knowledge can help technical writers write documentation that is not only clear and concise but also ethical and responsible.

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Journalist

Journalists write and report on news stories for newspapers, magazines, and other media outlets. They need to be able to research and write stories that are accurate, fair, and unbiased. The Ethics of Communication course can help journalists develop the skills they need to be successful in their careers. The course covers topics such as ethical decision-making, crisis communication, and conflict resolution. This knowledge can help journalists to report on the news in a responsible and ethical manner.

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Lawyer

Lawyers advise clients on legal matters and represent them in court. They need to be able to communicate effectively with clients, judges, and other lawyers. The Ethics of Communication course can help lawyers develop the skills they need to be successful in their careers. The course covers topics such as ethical decision-making, crisis communication, and conflict resolution. This knowledge can help lawyers to communicate effectively with their clients and represent them in court in a professional and ethical manner.

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Doctor

Doctors diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries. They need to be able to communicate effectively with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals. The Ethics of Communication course can help doctors develop the skills they need to be successful in their careers. The course covers topics such as ethical decision-making, crisis communication, and conflict resolution. This knowledge can help doctors to communicate effectively with their patients and provide them with the best possible care.

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Teacher

Teachers educate students in a variety of subjects. They need to be able to communicate effectively with students, parents, and other teachers. The Ethics of Communication course can help teachers develop the skills they need to be successful in their careers. The course covers topics such as ethical decision-making, crisis communication, and conflict resolution. This knowledge can help teachers to create a positive and productive learning environment for their students.

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Social Worker

Social workers help people to cope with difficult life challenges. They need to be able to communicate effectively with clients, families, and other professionals. The Ethics of Communication course can help social workers develop the skills they need to be successful in their careers. The course covers topics such as ethical decision-making, crisis communication, and conflict resolution. This knowledge can help social workers to provide effective support to their clients.

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Counselor

Counselors help people to deal with personal and emotional issues. They need to be able to communicate effectively with clients and build strong therapeutic relationships. The Ethics of Communication course can help counselors develop the skills they need to be successful in their careers. The course covers topics such as ethical decision-making, crisis communication, and conflict resolution. This knowledge can help counselors to provide effective support to their clients.

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Human Resources Manager

Human resources managers oversee the hiring, firing, and training of employees. They need to be able to communicate effectively with employees, managers, and other stakeholders. The Ethics of Communication course can help human resources managers develop the skills they need to be successful in their careers. The course covers topics such as ethical decision-making, crisis communication, and conflict resolution. This knowledge can help human resources managers to create a positive and productive work environment for employees.

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Sales Manager

Sales managers oversee the sales team and develop sales strategies. They need to be able to communicate effectively with customers, sales representatives, and other stakeholders. The Ethics of Communication course can help sales managers develop the skills they need to be successful in their careers. The course covers topics such as ethical decision-making, crisis communication, and conflict resolution. This knowledge can help sales managers to build strong relationships with customers and close deals.

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Customer Service Manager

Customer service managers oversee the customer service team and develop customer service strategies. They need to be able to communicate effectively with customers, customer service representatives, and other stakeholders. The Ethics of Communication course can help customer service managers develop the skills they need to be successful in their careers. The course covers topics such as ethical decision-making, crisis communication, and conflict resolution. This knowledge can help customer service managers to build strong relationships with customers and resolve complaints in a professional and ethical manner.

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Event Planner

Event planners plan and coordinate events such as weddings, conferences, and trade shows. They need to be able to communicate effectively with clients, vendors, and other stakeholders. The Ethics of Communication course can may be useful for event planners. The course covers topics such as ethical decision-making, crisis communication, and conflict resolution. This knowledge can help event planners to manage their events in a professional and ethical manner.

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