J300 (Section 18761),
Communications Law
Spring 2009
4:15
5:30 p.m. Tuesday/Thursday, CV207
Professor: Ron Allman
Office: Crestview 117
Phone: 941-2381, Fax:
941-2582, E-mail: rallman@ius.edu
Office hours: M/W 3 p.m. 4
p.m., T/R 7:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m. and by appointment
Course Objectives: This course will help you better understand the
importance and influence of communications law on mass media, its practitioners
and consumers. We will explore the various laws, court rulings and federal
regulations that create communications law. The course will develop your
critical thinking skills about the media law through class discussions and
writing assignments.
Students with Special Needs: If you require any special assistance in meeting the
class requirements due to a certified disability, please see me after class or
during office hours within the first two weeks of the semester. Special
accommodations or alternative-format materials will be made available. Students
with disabilities may want to contact the Office of Services for Students with
Disabilities.
Required Text: Wayne Overbeck, Major Principles of Media Law, 2009
Edition
Reading Assignments: All reading assignments will be read before class, and
you should be prepared to discuss the reading assignment in class. A portion of
your class grade is dependent on class participation.
Attendance, Punctuality and
Deadlines: You should
plan to attend all class sessions, to participate in class and to stay for the
entire class period. Being late twice will be considered an absence. A total of
three absences will result in a grade of F. Medical appointments, job
interviews and part-time or full-time jobs are not considered valid excuses for
absence. Make-up work is strongly discouraged and will only be granted in extraordinary circumstances. All
assignments are due at the beginning of class on the day they are due. No late
assignment will be accepted. There will be no make-up exams.
Class Interruptions (Laptops,
Cellular Phones, Pagers, Et Cetera): Laptops will not be used during class time. You can check Facebook after class. Cellular phones and pagers will be turned off during the
class time. Please inform those who might wish to contact you during class time
that your devices will be turned off. Those creating these interruptions will
be asked to leave the class and will be considered absent.
Grading: Your final grade will be determined by the following
criteria:
25% Homework assignments
25% Class participation
25% Mid-term exam
25% Final exam
There will be 12 homework assignments. The assignments
will be a minimum of two pages. The homework will be used in class discussions
and will be turned in at the end of class. There will be no extra credit
opportunities. Your writing will be graded on content as well as form. Papers
should be free of grammatical errors. Papers will be organized, clear and
concise. Papers will be printed with
the text double spaced. You may write on your homework during class
discussions. I reserve the option of raising or lowering a students grade
based on attendance, attitude, class cooperation, participation, courtesy or
improvement in the course.
Class Schedule
Jan. 13 Introduction
In Class
Discuss course content
For Next Class Read chapter 1
Jan. 15 The Legal System
In Class
Discuss the structure of the U.S. legal system
For Next Class Read chapter 2
Jan. 20 The First Amendment
In Class
Discuss how the First Amendment was formed
For Next Class Read chapter 3
Jan. 22 Prior
Restraint
In Class
Discuss the history of prior-restraint rulings
For Next Class Homework assignment 1
Jan. 27 Prior
Restraint
In Class
Homework assignment 1 due
For Next Class Read chapter 4
Jan. 29 Libel
In Class
Discuss the definition of libel
For Next Class Homework assignment 2
Feb. 3 Libel
In Class
Homework assignment 2 due
For Next Class Read chapter 5
Feb. 5 Privacy
In Class
Discuss the right to privacy
For Next Class Homework assignment 3
Feb. 10 Privacy
In Class
Homework assignment 3 due
For Next Class Read chapter 6
Feb. 12 Copyright
Law
In Class
Discuss copyright and trademark law
For Next Class Homework assignment 4
Feb. 17 Copyright
Law
In Class
Homework assignment 4 due
For Next Class Read chapter 7
Feb. 19 Fair
Trial vs. Free Press
In Class
Discuss the conflict between the press and the courts
For Next Class Study for mid-term exam
Feb. 24 Mid-term Exam
In Class
Exam
For Next Class Read chapter 8
Feb. 26 Privilege
In Class
Discuss the concept of journalist privilege / shield laws
For Next Class Homework assignment 5
Feb. 28 Privilege
In Class
Homework assignment 5 due
For Next Class Read chapter 9
March 3 Freedom
of Information
In Class
Discuss the federal FOI Act
For Next Class Homework assignment 6
March 5 Freedom
of Information
In Class
Homework assignment 6 due
For Next Class Read chapter 10
March 10 Obscenity
In Class
Discuss the definition of obscenity / indecency
For Next Class Homework assignment 7
March 12 Obscenity
In Class
Homework assignment 7 due
For Next Class Read chapter 11
In Class
Discuss regulation on TV, radio, internet
For Next Class Homework assignment 8
March 19 Electronic
Media
In Class
Homework assignment 8 due
For Next Class Read chapter 12
March
24-26 No Class
March 31 Media
Ownership
In Class
Discuss legal problems resulting from media consolidation
For Next Class Homework assignment 9
April 2 Media
Ownership
In Class
Homework assignment 9 due
For Next Class Read chapter 13
April 7 Commercial
Speech
In Class
Discuss advertising laws and regulations
For Next Class Homework assignment 10
April 9 Commercial
Speech
In Class
Homework assignment 10 due
For Next Class Read chapter 14
April 14 Student
Press
In Class
Discuss the unique nature of student media law
For Next Class Homework assignment 11
April 16 Student
Press
In Class Homework assignment 11 due
For Next Class Homework assignment 12
April 21 Communications
Law
In Class Homework assignment 12 due
April 23 Review
In Class
Be prepared for an in-depth review of the semester
April
30 Final
Exam, 4:15 6:05 p.m.