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Ethics and Religious Beliefs in the Media
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(This program will commence in the 2012 fall semester, subject to the approval of Ontario Universities Council on Quality Assurance).
The Faculty of Human Sciences at Saint Paul University offers a graduate program leading to a Graduate Diploma in Ethics and Religious Beliefs in the Media. This Diploma is conferred jointly by the Senates of Saint Paul University and the University of Ottawa under the terms of the federation agreement between them.
The diploma is offered on a full-time basis.
In accordance with the Saint Paul University regulation, students have the right to produce their work, their research papers or theses, and to answer examination questions in French or in English.
(This program will commence in the 2012 fall semester, subject to the approval of Ontario Universities Council on Quality Assurance).
Applicants must: Applicants must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree with honours or with a major, or the equivalent, in a discipline considered relevant such as communication studies, religious studies, philosophy, ethics, etc., with a cumulative grade point average of at least 6 (B);
- Have relevant expertise in one of the communications media;
- Have acquired basic theoretical knowledge in communication studies;
- Provide two letters of recommendation, including at least one from a university-level professor;
- Have an excellent knowledge of the language of instruction (English or French).
Exceptionally, a person with an honours bachelor’s degree or with a major considered not pertinent could be admitted if he/she can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Faculty of Human Sciences of Saint Paul University that he/she has the equivalent expertise and knowledge (for example, sufficient work experience in communication for a media outlet and/or a religious institution).
Some additional documents, and in some cases specific forms, are required. For more information, please see the page Step 4: Gather the documents needed for the assessment of your application.
(This program will commence in the 2012 fall semester, subject to the approval of Ontario Universities Council on Quality Assurance).
I. Compulsory Courses (9 crédits)
- ISC5101 MEDIA AND RELIGION (3cr.)1
- ISC5102 MEDIA, RELIGIOUS FAITH, AND SYMBOLIC WAYS (3cr.)2
- ISC5103 INTEGRATION WORK RESIDENCY (3cr.)2
II. Optional Distance Courses (6 credits)
One course (3 credits) in the area of media and culture, to be chosen from:
- ISC5111 TESTIFYING FAITH, THROUGH THE MEDIA (3cr.)
- ISC5112 RELIGIOUS LEADERS AS SPOKEPERSONS FOR RELIGION IDENTITY IN THE MEDIA (3cr.)
- ISC5113 SPECIAL TOPICS ON ‘‘MEDIA, RELIGION, AND CULTURE’’ (3cr.)
One course (3 credits) in the area of media and ethics, to be chosen from:
- ISC5121 THE ETHICAL PROBLEM OF IDOLATROUS IMAGES (3cr.)
- ISC5122 MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT, RELIGION, AND ETHICS (3cr.)
- ISC5123 SPECIAL TOPICS ON ‘‘MEDIA, RELIGION, AND ETHICS’’ (3cr.)
Course Sequence
The compulsory course on Media and Religion (ISC 5101) is a prerequisite to the two courses offered on campus.
Minimum Standards
The passing grade in all courses is C+. Students who fail two courses (equivalent to 6 credits) or the same course twice must withdraw from the program.
Duration of the Program
The expectation is that all requirements of the diploma will be completed in one year of full-time study. The maximum time permitted is three years from the time of initial registration in the program.
Historical clashes between the media and religion. Culture, religion, and media. Possible divergences and convergences. Religions and new technologies.
In-depth theoretical study of symbolic expressions of religious faith. Creativity and religious expression in contemporary language. Features of media language in its creative expression and symbolic manifestations.
Supervised research on the subject of media, religion, and ethics. The work must be completed while in residence. Corrections are made by the supervising professor and by a professor designated by the two institutions which signed the protocol. Prerequisite: ISC5101. Corequisite: ISC5102.
What does it mean to testify and to witness religious faith today. In connection with the media: who should be a witness, based on what, when, where, what for. Consequences, values and limitations of such testimonies.
The media impact of the Pope, the ayatollahs, the Dalai Lama. Case example: Pope John Paul II and television. Consequences for all believers of a religion. Perception of other believers and the general population. Challenges for religions of the presence of religious leaders in the media.
In-depth analysis of a problem or an issue related to new trends in research or to new research topics in media/culture, from a religious point of view.
Photographs, posters, slides, videos, television, movies, multimedia raise theological questions based on ethics: potential idolatry of the audiovisual image, how and should media idols influence consumption, advertising, alienation, etc. The major monotheistic religions denounce and fear this danger associated with idolatry. Challenges for a religion to be present in the audiovisual media without falling into idolatry.
Entertainment and fantasy: religions fear them as potential dangers. Religions are more comfortable with doctrines and dogmas; media is interested in emotion and entertaining shows. Challenge for entertaining media and for dogmatic religions to hold together. Place for expression of faith in entertainment: to what extent can religious faith be expressed in the form of entertainment?
In-depth analysis of a problem or an issue related to new trends in research or new research topics about media/ethics, from a religious point of view.
Heurts historiques entre médias et religions. Culture, religions et médias. Divergences et convergences possibles. Religions et nouvelles technologies.
Approfondissement théorique des expressions symboliques de foi religieuse. Créativité et expression religieuses dans un langage d’aujourd’hui. Caractéristiques du langage médiatique dans son expression de créativité et ses manifestations symboliques.
Travail de recherche supervisé sur le thème de médias, religions et éthique. Le travail doit être fait durant le séjour sur campus. Correction effectuée par le professeur superviseur et un professeur désigné par les deux établissements signataires du protocole d’entente. Ce cours comprend également un examen de compétence générale. Préalable : ISC5501. Concomitant : ISC5502.
Ce que signifie témoigner et être témoin de foi religieuse aujourd’hui. En lien avec les médias : qui devrait témoigner, à cause de quoi, quand, où, pourquoi? Conséquences, valeur et limites de tels témoignages.
L’impact médiatique du pape, des ayatollahs, du dalaï-lama. Cas-type : le pape Jean-Paul II et la télévision. Conséquences pour l’ensemble des croyants et croyantes d’une religion. Perception chez les autres croyants et dans la population en général. Enjeux pour les religions de la présence des chefs religieux dans les médias.
Analyse approfondie d’une problématique ou d’une question liée aux nouvelles tendances en recherche ou aux nouveaux thèmes de recherche en médias/culture, d’un point de vue religieux.
Photographie, affiche, diapositive, vidéo, télévision, cinéma, multimédia posent des questions d’ordre théologique fondées sur l’éthique : possible idolâtrie de l’image audiovisuelle, comment les idoles médiatiques peuvent-elles ou doivent-elles influencer la consommation, la publicité, l’aliénation, etc. Les principales religions monothéistes dénoncent et craignent ce danger associé à l’idolâtrie. Difficulté pour une religion d’être présente dans les médias audiovisuels sans tomber dans l’idolâtrie.
«Entertainment», divertissement, fantaisie : peur de la part des religions, qui les perçoivent comme des dangers. Religions plus à l’aise avec les doctrines et les dogmes; médias intéressés par l’émotion et le spectacle divertissant. Défi pour les médias divertissants et les religions dogmatiques de tenir ensemble. Place de l’expression de foi dans le divertissement : jusqu’où la foi religieuse peut-elle s’exprimer dans l’«entertainment»?
Analyse approfondie d’une problématique ou d’une question liée aux nouvelles tendances en recherche ou aux nouveaux thèmes de recherche en médias/éthique, d’un point de vue religieux.
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